Originally posted by techntrek
Budward, actually you can connect a 120 volt genset to your house IF you know what you are doing. Turn off all 240 circuits and any multi-wire branch circuits, then parallel both legs in the circuit panel to the single leg coming from the genset. I've had my EU3000is connected to a 120/240 subpanel in my house (which contains almost all of the 120 volt circuits in my house) several times. In my case that subpanel doesn't have any 240 circuits even though it has both phases, and I've rewired the MWBC that runs to it so it is no longer two separate circuits. |
Well yes you can, if you go to some advance trouble and as you said,
IF you know what you are doing.

What I meant, and should have said, is one cannot just
easily connect a 120V generator to a house system, ie just back feed an outlet or something as many have tried.
My house had no main breaker being built in 1977. What a PITA that has been devising a way to backfeed without powering everyone on my transformer.
Lets just say the 200 Amp breaker box I added doesn't conform to code, although perfectly safe, and I will have to undo that when I sell my house some day

You are correct about fuel consumption...I run a small 2kW invertor generator for general lighting/fridge/wood stove fan. The big one gets fired up if we need to repressurize the water tank and heat water.
At my remote camp ALL power always comes from a generator- I like to remind people anytime you think the power company is a ripoff try making your own and see what
that costs. I figure about 10x.