Auto Start and Transfer question for backup generator

[Badguy]

So ,I live in Florida .... North Miami area .I am trying to get ahead of a bad storm or anything that might happen .So I'm buying a 7,500 watt propane Generator ...My question ,I am trying to figure out the Starting of the generator during power outage and automatically transferring the house to the generator power ...and also turning the generator off and back on grid .

If anyone done this before i would really appreciate this ..I'm trying to figure this out without spending a lot of money .

 

[redfishbluefish]

For starters, this propane generator would need to be self-starting. If it's not self-starting, you're only manual. Second is that you need a transfer box (switch) that identifies the circuits you wish to run off the generator, that will automatically make this switch. I'd highly suggest hiring an electrician to install this item.

 

[scriptmonkey]

Paging @siggy! Think this might be in your wheelhouse!

 

[Badguy]

So, I am planning on getting a 7500 watt Champion Genny with Electric starter that I'm sure I can by pass with controller. I only seem to find a remote starter for the generator but not one matched to a Automatic transfer switch. I found out my house is eligible for a gas meter and it would be a dream not having to worry about electricity in the aftermath of a hurricane... Which I've been through a few both in Florida and the island of Dominican Republic where I lived for 28 plus years.

 

[Scorpius]

You want this http://www.generac.com/all-products/generators/home-backup-generators#?cat=6&cat=214&cat=217&cat=249
Get a pro to install it correctly and safely. Remember, safety is number one priority.

 

[Badguy]

You want this http://www.generac.com/all-products/generators/home-backup-generators#?cat=6&cat=214&cat=217&cat=249
Get a pro to install it correctly and safely. Remember, safety is number one priority.

that's way over my budget I'm trying to figure it out for around 1k with the Automatic transfer.

 

[ccombs]

that's way over my budget I'm trying to figure it out for around 1k with the Automatic transfer.

Hey! Not to rain on the parade, but to have this done properly, I think you will be above 1k.

I am sure you might be able to figure something out, however, I don't have any good advice for you here because I feel like going on DIY route on this will be more problematic then spending the extra cash.

I understand budgets are budgets and I am not trying to downplay that, I just do not think you will get what you are asking for in that price range.

Best of luck with whatever you decide!

 

[chinw76]

that's way over my budget I'm trying to figure it out for around 1k with the Automatic transfer.

This is how I set up my generator. I converted mine to natural gas from gasoline. I put an outlet box on the outside of my house. The outlet is connected to a 30 amp circuit breaker, made for 240V, in other words 2 hot wires, 1 neutral and 1 ground. When I need to run my generator, I would turn off the main on the panel, then start the generator, plug it into the house. I then goto the circuit breaker, flip off all breakers. Turn the 30 amp on from the generator and flip on the circuit breakers that I want to run off generator, which for me is everything. When power comes back on, I turn off the 30 amp breaker from the generator. I then turn the main breaker back on. I then disconnect the generator and put it away.

 

[W1ngz]

I've worked up projects with auto-start generators and a transfer switch for networks and servers. To be blunt, maybe even harsh, you're not doing this under 1k. If it has to be under 1k, you're getting a portable gas generator, a long extension cord and some gas cans. And it's not going to be 7500 watt.
Consider also that if the power is out due to severe storms, there's a good chance the supply to your gas meter will be shut down too.
Oh, and if you try and DIY an electrical project like this, your home insurance is gonna dump you as soon as they find out.

Sorry

 

[Badguy]

This is how I set up my generator. I converted mine to natural gas from gasoline. I put an outlet box on the outside of my house. The outlet is connected to a 30 amp circuit breaker, made for 240V, in other words 2 hot wires, 1 neutral and 1 ground. When I need to run my generator, I would turn off the main on the panel, then start the generator, plug it into the house. I then goto the circuit breaker, flip off all breakers. Turn the 30 amp on from the generator and flip on the circuit breakers that I want to run off generator, which for me is everything. When power comes back on, I turn off the 30 amp breaker from the generator. I then turn the main breaker back on. I then disconnect the generator and put it away.

I'm thinking of making a 120v relay box with delay timers.to control the start and kill of generator .. So When the electricity is outage happens a automatic switch will stay in neutral until the generator starts and the voltage is over >110v.
Thinking about using this for the ATS
https://www.amazon.com/ELPRO-ATS-63...d=1556159589&s=gateway&sprefix=ats+gen&sr=8-3

 

[Badguy]

I've worked up projects with auto-start generators and a transfer switch for networks and servers. To be blunt, maybe even harsh, you're not doing this under 1k. If it has to be under 1k, you're getting a portable gas generator, a long extension cord and some gas cans. And it's not going to be 7500 watt.
Consider also that if the power is out due to severe storms, there's a good chance the supply to your gas meter will be shut down too.
Oh, and if you try and DIY an electrical project like this, your home insurance is gonna dump you as soon as they find out.

Sorry

No worries on the criticism this how we develop ideas. So let me mention a couple things... I already have a 2.5kw Inverter sine wave+charger installed with 8 deep cycle battery bank. it can run fans and bare essentials for 18-24 hours. I'm looking into two 100 lbs propane back up tanks. As the Natural gas conversion is easily undone and can be undone back into propane . Yes, correct, I am looking into a portable generator to do this using the Inverter for 8 hours and the generator 16 hours in case of a post hurricane scenario.