RetiredBob
Portage, MI
Senior Member
Joined: 04/03/2005
View Profile
|
I would like to be able to run my home furnace off my Honda 2000 generator in the event of a power outage. I'm not interested in running lights or other appliances (could always run an extension cord to my refer if necessary). Any suggestions on the easiest way to go about it? Are there 20 amp transfer switches that would do the job?
|
hwybnb
Southern California
Senior Member
Joined: 05/02/2001
View Profile
|
The easiest way is to simply run an extension cord from the generator to the furnace. Installing an approved transfer switch would be costly.
|
tuckerin
morristown, ny
Senior Member
Joined: 09/28/2004
View Profile
|
Have had to run my furnace on more than one occasion with my older Honda 2K genset. I backfed the garage outlet circuit with the other circuits off and main disconnected. Kind of a shabby hookup and beneath my abilities as a mechanical contractor..kind of like the old saw about the cobblers kids without shoes..finally installed a manual switch over (purchased from northern hydralics) and now have six circuits that can be ran from the genset. I do set the furnace fan to run continuous to eliminate the high motor draw on startup
|
chasfm11
Dallas/Ft Worth Areas
Senior Member
Joined: 02/28/2004
View Profile
|
If it were me, I'd run a new circuit. Put a box on one end, right beside the existing box where the furnace is plugged in - and put a red faceplate outlet on it. Run the other end to where ever you plan to run the generator and put an weatherproof outlet there. To switch over, all you would have to do would be unplug your furnace and put it into the red generator outlet then, with a short pigtail, plug the generator into the outside outlet and fire it up. There is no danger of getting the generator driving power where it shouldn't. Make sure that you use large enough wire (I'd assume that it is 12/2 with ground) unless you end up a really long run. Most furnace motors and burners (oil furnace?) don't draw a lot of current.
2000 Georgie Boy Landau 36'DP Cummins 5.9, Allison 1000 5sp
1994 Saturn SL1 Toad, Falcon2 Towbar, BrakeMaster Toad Brake
|
jauguston
Bellingham, WA
Senior Member
Joined: 07/03/2005
View Profile
 Offline
|
The easy way is to cut the wires that go to the furnace and put a female extension cord type female plug on one end and a male on the other end. Plug them together and the power is back to the way it was. When the power goes out separate the plugs and plug in the cord from the generator. Not code but safe.
Jim
Jim, Sharon and Buddy the Yorkie
1999 Gulfstream Sun Voyager 31' ISB Cummins 210 uprated to 275
275 RV injectors
Trippe-Lite 1800w inverter 4-6v GC batteries
3- Kyocera 130w solar panels
1987 Suzuki Samurai tintop Toad w/VW 1.6 turbo diesel power
|
|
|
Gale Hawkins
Murray, KY
Senior Member
Joined: 07/22/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
Make sure where your blower(s) are 120 or 240 volts so you will know your generator needs.
|
tuckerin
morristown, ny
Senior Member
Joined: 09/28/2004
View Profile
|
Most furnace blower motors are 1/3 HP and up with 1/2 HP the new normally supplied size and have a start up amp draw 3 times the running amp draw. I do this stuff for a living and am not guessing.
|
RedRamMan
Northeast Kansas
Senior Member
Joined: 08/27/2003
View Profile
|
I use heavy cord 25ft. Just pull the breaker to furnace circuit and wire to it. That circuit only controls furnace and basement lights. I aqm going to add a switch over when time permits.If not familar with elect rial circuits get someone that is. My gen just sits outside garage door.
2004 Red Ram SLT QC 3500 Auto CTD HO SB
2001 Cedar Creek 25RLMS 5er
|
bsprague
Milton, WA
Senior Member
Joined: 11/14/2003
View Profile
Offline
|
I cut the wire coming to the furnace and put a utility box on the end. I screwed the utility box to the side of the furnace and installed a standard 15 amp recepticle. I now have an "outlet" on the side of the furnace.
I wired a male plug to the furnace. Now the furnace normally plugs in just like any other appliance. If the power goes out, I can plug the furnace into any generator that is big enough. It could be a Honda or the motorhome.
A bonus is that I have an extra outlet in the garage I can use in the summer when the furnace is not being used.
* This post was
edited 12/16/07 07:01pm by bsprague *
Bill Sprague
2004 Beaver Monterey, 8.3 ISC 350 Cummins
2007 Ford Edge AWD
9 ft Quicksilver inflatable boat w/ 15 hp Suzuki
|
Admiral
The Buckeye State
Senior Member
Joined: 06/08/2003
View Profile
|
jauguston wrote:The easy way is to cut the wires that go to the furnace and put a female extension cord type female plug on one end and a male on the other end. Plug them together and the power is back to the way it was. When the power goes out separate the plugs and plug in the cord from the generator. Not code but safe.
Jim
That's what I did but I installed a duplex outlet next to the furnace on the power side and put a 3 prong male plug on the furnace side.
During a power outage I use my MH genny with 2 20 amp extension cords with 12 ga wire to the house. One to the basement to run the water pump, gas water heater (power vent blower) and the furnace. The other stays upstairs to run the fridge, lights and TV.
We stay very comfortable and have 75 gallons of gas to power up with. Hopefully we'll never need that much.
2004 Damon Daybreak 2960F
05 Honda Element LX
In a democracy two wolves and a sheep can vote on what to have for dinner.
|
|
|
