If you have a 120 volt circuit for your boiler, and would like to have just a transfer switch for the boiler only, there are a couple products on the market which provide a 5-15 inlet plug and transfer switch. The transfer switch would be wired in either adjacent to your panel or adjacent to the boiler. During an outage, run an extension cord from the boiler to the generator. Boilers typically don't take much power to run the controls and a circulator.
Will mount on a 4-in square 2-1/8 deep box, with all of the other fixings. Will need some slack in the line, or a new piece of wire to run from here to the next box to have enough wire to make the connections.
It will kill you! The slightest mistake handling that venomous live cable and your dead!
The only safe way to power these items is to properly install an isolating generator adapter.
Like the one shown in the link below:
I was trying to do something that didn't require running extension cords but I guess it's not a good idea. How do you feel about this switch? https://www.amazon.com/EZ-GENERATOR-SWITCH-Generator-UNIVERSAL/dp/B00FADDE0A/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=2CIEPA2EXSZUW&keywords=transfer+switch&qid=1665352190&qu=eyJxc2MiOiI2LjI0IiwicXNhIjoiNS44NiIsInFzcCI6IjUuMDQifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=transfer...
I installed an "EZ Generator Switch" so you can plug an extension cord in that way.
While doing that would technically work it is not up to code.
Consider purchasing a EZ Generator switch and having it installed. You end up with the same setup but now if your house burns down you won't have your insurance company trying to deny your claim.
If all you care about is one circuit you can relatively easily wire up a single-circuit generator transfer switch. They are not too difficult to wire up, if you can replace an outlet you can probably do it and it doesn't require opening up the breaker panel. Then you run an extension cord from your generator to the transfer switch as needed.
If you want to do many circuits or your entire house there are other options but they are generally more expensive and involved to install.
>Furnace directly into an alternate power source such as a generator, etc.
>
>Anyone have any feedback on my plan?
You would be better off just using a purpose-made device like this.
Most I'd DIY around a generator is installing a handful of these around the basement so I could run my extension cords down there thru a window instead of having them all over the house tripping people.
https://www.amazon.com/EZ-GENERATOR-SWITCH-Generator-UNIVERSAL/dp/B00FADDE0A/
This is a safe way to integrate 120V drop cords for individual circuits. These could be put in 2-gang NEMA-3R In-Use rated covers. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FADDE0A/
Typically, a 240V 30A twist lock receptacle is installed on the outside of the home and routed into the home to a generator transfer panel. Depends what you and the electrician want to do and what size generator you have.
Here's another product that does the exact same function.
https://www.amazon.com/EZ-GENERATOR-SWITCH-Generator-UNIVERSAL/dp/B00FADDE0A/
What ever that guy was wanting to do for $700 sounds like he was trying to take you for a ride and hack something, there's no "powering one side" of the panel that is proper. Toss his quote in the can.
The thing I linked to installs on a standard 4"square 2-1/8 junction box, easy to install, easy to remove if you had to if it causes a fuss with a future buyers inspection, just replace with a 4" blank cover.
u/ChimaeraB,
https://www.amazon.com/EZ-GENERATOR-SWITCH-Generator-UNIVERSAL/dp/B00FADDE0A
That resolves all of the guesswork and improvising. Use a 2-1/8" deep 4" square box.
You can use a transfer switch. There is a single circuit, UL approved solution on Amazon if you want to power a 15/20A branch circuit :
https://www.amazon.com/EZ-GENERATOR-SWITCH-Generator-UNIVERSAL/dp/B00FADDE0A
Anyone looking for a generator needs to realize that's only half the equation. The other half is how you connect it do you house. I'd like to bring your attention to 3 different systems that you should include in your research.
There are of course other ways that are varying amount of legal to get power into your home but hopefully this helps some people out.
Well the generlink one is the best- just pop the device on your meter, plug in a generator and you get your panel lit up... you just have to manage manually what you have running vs how much you can generate.
There is another option if you have space on your panel- an interlock. This is where you put in say a 50 amp breaker 240vac (2 spots) and you put it near the main breaker switch. Connect this breaker to a dryer plug in the garage. Then you get a kit that you get installed that is basically a piece of metal that slides that only allows either the main breaker OR your 50 amp breaker to be on- never both at the same time. So you can turn off the main 100amp service breaker- slide the metal piece that will prevent you from turning it back on- and by sliding it you now can turn on your 50 amp breaker. Turn that on, plug in a generator to the dryer plug and you basically have the same thing as the generlink... BUT this usually requires inspections/permits and you need to install breakers and plugs. Generlink is more expensive than an interlink, but its faster and more convenient.
Lastly, I have been looking at a gadget on Amazon that could give you targeted generator power. https://www.amazon.com/EZ-GENERATOR-SWITCH-Generator-UNIVERSAL/dp/B00FADDE0A
I don't have one but it looks simple... Like if you have a 110vac furnace, you could take the power line to the furnace and plug it into the amazon device- then run a new wire from the device to the furnace- vola you have a way to take an extension cord from a generator and just plug it safely into the furnace.
Now if you just want to power a few things- like a fridge, freezer, etc you can just run extension cords from your generator into your home and just plug in the devices- its less convenient but its the cheapest way. You could also get a solar generator instead of a gas generator like this one: https://www.pocket-lint.com/gadgets/news/159633-ecoflow-delta-pro-power-station-home-backup
The only thing I would say don't do is the suicide cable. It's just not safe for anyone.
Considering your very specific use case and small budget here is what I would do:
Here's the link to the furnace toggle. Rather expensive for what it is.
https://www.amazon.com/EZ-GENERATOR-SWITCH-Generator-UNIVERSAL/dp/B00FADDE0A/ref=
Item | Current | Lowest | Reviews |
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EZ Generator Switch - Generator Manual Transfer S… | - | - | 4.5/5.0 |
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EZ Generator Switch - Generator Manual Transfer S… | $94.95 | $94.95 | 4.5/5.0 |
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EZ Generator Switch - Generator Manual Transfer S… | $94.95 | $94.95 | 4.5/5.0 |
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Item B00FADDE0A | - | - | 0.0/5.0 |
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EZ GENERATOR SWITCH - Generator Manual Transfer S… | - | - | 4.6/5.0 |
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EZ Generator Switch - Generator Manual Transfer S… | $94.95 | $94.95 | 4.5/5.0 |
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EZ Generator Switch - Generator Manual Transfer S… | $94.95 | $94.95 | 4.5/5.0 |
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EZ Generator Switch - Generator Manual Transfer S… | $94.95 | $94.95 | 4.5/5.0 |
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