Electrical question, cost for a transfer switch to hook up an emergency generator
 

Anyone have a ballpark price to have an electrician (licensed) to hook up a 7,000 watt propane powered Emergency Generator? The contractors are I have called are being cagey on a figure. They all want to come out and do the hard sale. :eek:

Waiting on Armageddon and the ammo is gone from the stores and we have three deep freezes to keep cold. :rolleyes:

I wouldn't bid either without seeing what's what first.

Find out if an interlock is legal. $50 including (your) labor.

As Crowbob said, it depends. We pay about $750 on a new install for the additional electric but those are relatively easy.

Solar? You're not going to get propane deliveries come Armageddon .....

A few things. It sounds like you want a manual transfer switch, which is fine.

#1 - What is the size of your service? 100A? 150A? 200A? That makes a difference on the transfer switch.

100A - $146.37 https://www.homedepot.com/p/GE-100-Amp-240-Volt-Non-Fused-Emergency-Power-Transfer-Switch-TC10323R/100171587

200A - $447.44 https://www.homedepot.com/p/GE-200-Amp-240-Volt-Non-Fused-Emergency-Power-Transfer-Switch-TC10324R/100150463

The electrician will need to provide some appropriately sized cables as well, depending on the size of your service.

Generally, to install the transfer switch, they will have to pull the meter. Depending on your local utility, they may have to do this. As a minimum, it will require reinstall of the meter and the utility tag. These may or may not be a charge. You may also have to submit a plan/drawing to the utility before they allow the meter to be pulled. And it may require a permit city/county permit in your area including inspection.

Finally, you will need a receptacle for the generator cable. for a 7kW generator, you will need a 50 Amp connection. $28.35 https://www.homedepot.com/p/Midwest-Electric-Products-50-Amp-Temporary-RV-Power-Outlet-U054P/100193650

And a generator cable. Price for a pre-made cable is around $185. If you make it yourself, around $100 for the plugs and 20 feet of 50A, 4 wire cable.

Cost of an electricians time to do this? About 1/2 day. Not sure what they cost where you are, but that would be about $500-$1000 here.

Does this help?

Just do the ole breaker transfer switch they sell on eBay..... lol

Cuts power to main, while opening up dedicated genie breaker.



As for generator. I would get a Kubota/Mitsubishi with a pancake 6kw....

I got an estimate a few months ago. Transfer switch, new breaker box and plug for the generator. $1500-2000. I have 200 amp service.

That’s an interlock.

let's figure it out.
you have an electrician, a plumber, a concrete mason, and the propane guy.
now what all needs to done
how can that conform to local regulations?
do you want go cheap?

The GF bought a Home Depot portable unit whilst on sale about a month after a blackout. Propane powered, electric start. That was two-three years ago. M/C style battery is dead, she never plugged in the trickle charger. Has a 1/2 tank of propane connected to a crappy barbeque and no idea where the idiot book is and no power cords.

She was under the impression she could simply plug it into the wall and Viola....yes, I know, a cello.

So I'm trying to help and not get my head chopped off as I am disagreeing with the Home Depot dickhead.

Sportsman 6,000 with 7,000 surge max....also has a pull starter.

2500 here for same

Thank you everyone. A guy is never right until the salesman BS told to the GF is debunked by the internet.

Ah yes the interlock.
A local has one in his cabin. Runs a 7,000 watt generator on cart with a 100 lbs propane bottle. He likes it, but not the method i would go.

Do you know how long the 100 lbs tank will run the generator for at say 1/2 rated load?

No idea. Prolly more than what it's worth.

My low rpm kubota diesel generators run around 4 hours on a gallon of diesel (50 gallon tanks). The high spinning one is 0.5-0.75 gallons per hour, but it's also 11kw prime. My 2kw Westinghouse run 8-10 hours on a gallon of gasoline.


Don't forget to derate for altitude..

Christ a fiver wont last the night....

Just buy a used light tower for under a grand. Sell the light parts, and you have a 6kw diesel generator on a trailer with a 50 gallon tank. True shtf portable is good.... until you run out of fuel....

I'm thinking a ****load of MREs and warm beer is cheaper....

mres are $119 + 5% surcharge at the commissary.


Not like i don't have a hoard of ****ty bear and mre's either.
Pre 2019 wood stove should be on your list.

Should be a booming business now.