[hcoles]

Questions on propane kits and manual transfer switches.

I now have a new Honda 2200i and may get a Companion 2200i if more power is needed and/or PG&E shutoffs get more frequent.

I want to run off propane because I don't want to deal with gasoline and aging of gasoline/etc. The two "leading" kits for the 2200i seem to be from Hutch Mountain and GenConnex. As far as I can tell the Hutch Mountain design allows easier return to gasoline power. GenConnex advertises their device is CARB approved. I assume both can control the air/fuel ratio adequately but I don't know. Any comments?

Manual Transfer Switches....
Getting power from a 2200i or then adding a Companion 2200i are all single phase output setups. No way to make 240V. The Honda 2200i has a floating neutral output - not GFCI. When you add the Companion the output changes to the 30 amp L5-30P from the 20amp receptacle.

Given that, a few questions come to mind:

1 - Is it okay, advised, a good idea or safer to get a manual transfer switch that also switches the neutral even if the generator doesn't have a GFCI output? Otherwise the neutral will still be connected to PG&E.

2 - Single phase manual transfer switches seem a bit hard to find for e.g. 6 circuits and 30amps. Where do I get these? One solution is to get a 120/240 switch and only use one side. Is that a good idea or what is normally done? Another solution is to bridge the input and feed both sides of the transfer switch with the one phase but that may not be wise or to code. I will be hooking up to certain 120V loads on a sub-panel in my house. Any ideas or suggestions?

Thanks.
-Henry