Running my AC off generator power

[Abpanda]

I was able to run my 3.5 Ton AC unit on my generator this morning for about an hour.
I was prepping for a potential power outage during hurricane Dorian if the storm came inland. Initially I'd picked up the RP6500, but returned it because I wanted to be able to power the whole house. Knowing the 8000 will power everything, I'm pretty sure the 6500 would have at least powered the AC. CAT also makes an RP7500E but it isn't sold at Lowe's
We were without power after Hurricane Irma for 3 days and I did not want to be in the same situation again.
I picked up this unit at Lowes near me and it seems to be the perfect setup to run what I need. That list includes central air, my reef tank, both refrigerators, and all the lights and fans in the house.
I am no HVAC technician or Electrician, so I cannot speak to whether all of my numbers regarding power are optimal, but everythung I need to work is working.
Best of luck and be safe.

 

[jtl]

How did you connect it to the AC? Are you using a transfer switch?

 

[KStatefan]

How did you connect it to the AC? Are you using a transfer switch?

He is powering the whole panel. If you look at the 0:42 of the video you can see how the manual switch works. The utility comes in the main breaker and the generator the top breaker on the right side.

 

[jtl]

He i

He is powering the whole panel. If you look at the 0:42 of the video you can see how the manual switch works. The utility comes in the main breaker and the generator the top breaker on the right side.

Ok. Is that legal?

 

[KStatefan]

Ok. Is that legal?

I can not speak about code in all areas but is in my area.

 

[Abpanda]

Ok. Is that legal?

Hey Jtl. I had a licensed electrician wire the 50A inlet, breaker, and interlock in to my panel for me. Here's a few pics of the setup.
The first pic is the inlet on the oytside of the house
The next pic shows the panel. Once you turn off the main, and slide the interlock up, you can turn on the 50A generator breaker. The interlock prevents you from turning on the main at the same time and back feeding the utility grid.
To turn the main power back on, the 50A From the genny has to be turned off.