Generator Powered Furnace

[jgruberman]

Hello, I am in Dallas experiencing heavy power outages and my family has been without power for 36 hours and therefore also heating. I have a 8000 w generator and a 100 ft 10 gauge extension cord. Is there any way that I can get this generator somehow wired to part of the Furnace so we don't have to have another night of sleeping in 40° housing?

Maybe I can wire it directly to the switch where the furnace toggles, or perhaps directly into the furnace circuit breaker in the breaker box. This is only temporary and would be undone after this whole crisis is over from concerned with my family and baby and senior pets not having enough heat.

The furnace is a S8B1B060M4 and the generator is this: 6250 Watt Portable Generator - https://www.briggsandstratton.com/na/en_us/product-catalog/generators/portable-generators/6250-watt-portable-generator.html

Any help would be drastically appreciated. I'm fairly knowledgeable about electrical and wires, just haven't done this specifically before and wanted to ask before I did something wrong.

 

[pc1966]

It is not something I would normally suggest trying out, but I appreciate your circumstances and the very real risk of not having heat at all.

Just remember to check things carefully and isolate the incoming power before doing ANY work on the panel, etc, as it might come back on at any time.

Hopefully we will hear back with some good news later!

 

[jgruberman]

It is not something I would normally suggest trying out, but I appreciate your circumstances and the very real risk of not having heat at all.

Just remember to check things carefully and isolate the incoming power before doing ANY work on the panel, etc, as it might come back on at any time.

Hopefully we will hear back with some good news later!

I completely understand that and appreciate your effort. I am definitely aware of the real dangers of both sending current upstream and handling live current. I will let you know how it goes

 

[jgruberman]

I do have one final question about getting a circuit in the box once I have an Interlock device. Our circuit box is full but has close to a dozen breakers for lights/switches. Can I switch several of those out for tandem breakers to make room for a generator breaker?

 

[pc1966]

I do have one final question about getting a circuit in the box once I have an Interlock device. Our circuit box is full but has close to a dozen breakers for lights/switches. Can I switch several of those out for tandem breakers to make room for a generator breaker?

For a permanent arrangement?

Usually you would get an transfer switch to allow you to move the whole panel from utility power to a local generator, but you will need to shut down a lot of circuits as your generator is probably only 30A or so and not going to run lots of high current stuff.

Also you need to check if your generator provides a 120-0-120 supply so you can run both 240V stuff and 120V stuff safely (though I think in the USA 240V stuff is usually quite high power and might be too much for your generator).

 

[pc1966]

These sort of things:

Generator Transfer Switch Guide for [year] - All You Need to Know! - Generator-Review.com

After buying a generator to ride you through the next power outage, the second thing you buy should be a generator transfer switch. It gives you the hassle-free connection of …

www.generator-review.com

https://www.homedepot.com/b/Outdoors-Outdoor-Power-Equipment-Generators-Transfer-Switches/N-5yc1vZc7l9

 

[jgruberman]

For a permanent arrangement?

Usually you would get an transfer switch to allow you to move the whole panel from utility power to a local generator, but you will need to shut down a lot of circuits as your generator is probably only 30A or so and not going to run lots of high current stuff.

Also you need to check if your generator provides a 120-0-120 supply so you can run both 240V stuff and 120V stuff safely (though I think in the USA 240V stuff is usually quite high power and might be too much for your generator).

Yeah, we can use an Interlock device to prevent backfeed but I'd turn all the other circuits off anyway. I was just thinking ahead for if/when I want to get it connected long term.

On the note of those breakers, is there any reason I can't convert some of those light switch ones to a tandem breaker?

 

[pc1966]

On the note of those breakers, is there any reason I can't convert some of those light switch ones to a tandem breaker?

I don't know, they are very different to the UK style. You would need to see if ones of the USA folk is around later like @Megawatt

 

[jgruberman]

I don't know, they are very different to the UK style. You would need to see if ones of the USA folk is around later like @Megawatt

Sure thing, going to get breakfast for the family and get the furnace going... Hopefully

 

[PEG]

Hope you get sorted,just been watching news,regarding the predicament in your State,and wish you and your family the very best of luck ?