My portable home generator setup runs everything in my home?. 3k square feet and 5 ton ac.

Introduction

Hello everybody,

I've had some requests from a lot of different people to show how I set up my generator to power my entire home. So, I decided to make this article so y'all can see what I did and see if this is something you guys want to do for you and your family.

Introduction

Setting up a whole home generator involves a few options. The first option is to spend around $ 20,000 on a whole home standby generator. To me, that seems excessive for something you aren't going to use a lot or at least don't plan to. Moreover, those generators mostly run on natural gas, so if something goes wrong with the natural gas supply, you essentially don't have a generator.

I found a way to accomplish the same goal—to power my entire home—at a fraction of that cost. I think you can do exactly what I did for about $ 4,000. Additionally, this method allows you to run on propane or gasoline if natural gas is not available, thereby offering more flexibility.

The Components

The Generator

I went with the Duramax 13,000 HXT Tri-Fuel generator that runs on Natural Gas, Propane, and Gasoline. I primarily use natural gas since it is supplied by our utility district and lasts forever. This generator comes with a 3/4 inch natural gas line with quick connects, making it super easy to set up.

Natural Gas Setup

A plumber installed a separate natural gas line from the gas meter directly to the generator. This setup includes a gas valve to control the natural gas flow to the generator. With this configuration, I have a virtually unlimited fuel supply as long as the natural gas utility is operational.

Electrical Connection

To get the power from the generator into the home, an electrician installed a 50-amp Inlet plug that connects to the generator. This single plug powers my entire house, making all electrical outlets, switches, lights, and devices function as usual. This inlet connects directly to the breaker box.

Interlock Kit

The electrician also installed an interlock kit with the inlet. This kit allows me to choose whether I want power coming from the utility district or the generator. It ensures that power does not come from both sources simultaneously, preventing electrical issues.

Addressing High Amp Draw Components

One primary concern with powering an entire house is the central air conditioning system. My 5-ton AC unit requires a combined 90 amps to start. Installing a $ 350 soft start kit on the condenser fan alleviates this issue by spacing out the start of each high-draw component by a second. This way, instead of 90 amps at once, it needs only 30 amps three separate times, which the generator can manage easily.

Additional Weatherproofing

To run the generator outside in various weather conditions, you can either purchase a zombie box enclosure or opt for a more cost-effective solution called a gen-tent.

Keywords

• Whole home generator
• Duramax 13,000 HXT
• Tri-Fuel generator
• Natural gas
• Propane
• Gasoline
• Electric inlet plug
• 50-amp
• Interlock kit
• Soft start kit
• Weatherproofing
• Gen-tent

FAQ

What type of generator did you use?

I used a Duramax 13,000 HXT Tri-Fuel generator which runs on Natural Gas, Propane, and Gasoline.

How much did it cost to set up this generator system?

The total cost was approximately $ 4,000, which is a fraction of the $ 20,000 required for a whole home standby generator.

How is the generator connected to the house?

A 50-amp inlet plug installed by an electrician connects the generator to the house's electrical system.

How does the system handle high-draw components like the central air conditioning?

A soft start kit installed on the AC's condenser fan spaces out the high-draw components to draw power sequentially rather than simultaneously, reducing the initial amp requirement.

Is additional weatherproofing necessary for the generator?

Yes, you should use a gen-tent or similar weatherproofing solution to ensure the generator can run in various weather conditions.

Can this system run on different types of fuel?

Yes, the generator can run on natural gas, propane, and gasoline, providing flexibility in case one fuel type is unavailable.

By following the setup I outlined, you'll have a reliable, flexible, and cost-efficient solution to power your entire home in case of an outage. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment. I hope you find this guide useful.

Thank you, and take care!