danglo
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Joined: 01/21/2001
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I just want a decent looking hole in the exterior wall of our stick built house to pass an extension cord from generator through to run refer during an extended power outage.
I would want to be able to seal around the extension cable to keep insects and rodents out. DW also wants it to "look good", whatever that means.
Walls are 6" thick (more like 8" with sheathing (5/8ths), drywall (also 5/8ths), 1/4" panneling, and 5/8ths siding).
How would you do yours?
Thanks,
danglo
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rolnhome
Pacific Northwest Mexico
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Joined: 11/19/2007
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Install an outlet on each side of the wall. Wire them directly together. Have a female to female cord made to plug generator into outside outlet. Normal cord would fit inside inlet. Wall inlets coudd be what ever amps you need.
That's one way
We're in Arizona
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RCL
South SF bay area
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Joined: 07/29/2004
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Check out marine suppliers. As I recall, they have a recessed plug which is flanged. They are watertight. On the inside, put a normal duplex socket which is connected only to that recessed plug on the outside. Now, all you have to do is plug an extension cord into the genset, plug the other end into the recessed plug, plug in your fridge and you're good to go.
I think that these recessed plugs come in a number of formats... normal 15A, 30A and 50A. They are mounted on boats to connect to shore power with a big extension cord.
Just checked West Marine and they have one called a "Battery Charger socket" for $26. It has an attached rubber plug for sealing.
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smkettner
Southern California
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Joined: 03/21/2005
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I would get an outdoor inlet and wire it to a standard connector on the inside wall. Make sure it is rated for the full power of the generator.
Power inlet
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Harry Havasu
Lake Havasu City, Az.
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Joined: 02/27/2004
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Or - using the proper hole saws (carbide) drill a 3/4s inch hole straight thru and insert a 1/2 inch piece of PVC with flanges on each end. Run a heavy duty extension thru it and silicone it at the entrance.
Harry Havasu
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CardinalRule
Gimli, Manitoba (Summer) Yuma, Arizona (Winter)
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Joined: 12/27/2000
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I don't know what size genny you have but I would wire in a transfer switch. Shed any household load that would overload the genny. That leaves you with whole house AC for fridge, minimal lights, TV etc..
Dave
I RV, I Golf - Therefore I Am.
'03 F250 Crew Cab 6L PSD
05 Cardinal 30TS - Custom Paint, TrailAir suspension & Pin Box, & lots more goodies
Onan Microlite 2.8 - with auto transfer
Mio C520 GPS Navigator
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Jamesrpm
Oregon Coast
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Joined: 08/30/2003
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Or use a male receptacle with a "Intermatic" in-use cover on the outside wired to a standard skeptical inside. Then you could just plug your standard cord in outside and another one inside to feed your freezer or what ever.
___________________________________________
I plan on living forever , so far , so good
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wittmeba
Roanoke, Va
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Joined: 02/02/2001
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Do a Google search on Grommets and you might find lots of options.
Lke ths:
http://www.mockett.com/furniture-hardware/wire-cable-management/grommets
or this:
http://cableorganizer.com/grommets/
Bruce & Carolyn Wittmeier
Viet Nam Vet 1968-69
My wife is an amazing woman. I dont know how she does it, but she can achieve $0.00 balance in our checkbook before the month ends.
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wa8yxm
Wherever I happen to park
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Joined: 07/04/2006
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I will tell you how I DID mine.. this is, in fact, the only way I suggest doing it
First I obtained a Generator Transfer Switch from Home Deopt or Lowes (I think HD)
And an Power Inlet. the inlet is a box, in the bottom of the box is a standard 30 amp twist lock "plug" which accepts the 30 amp twist lock "outlet" on the end of the extension cord that tends to be in the box the generator comes in.
the Transfer switch has a multi-wire armored cable that hooks to the breaker box Wires are paired,, Plus a white wire and a ground wire
I had a professional electrician hook it all up (But have added a circuit since)
The "inlet" is hard mounted on the back of the house, standard ROMEX cable runs to the transfer switch (A good size drill was needed) and this is sealed in as it is a fixed part of the house.
now I just plug in my extension cord... Then I plug the other end into my 30 amp twist outlet on my Generator (OK, motor home) and fire up the generator
Back to the basement and flip a switch... The basement lights up
Flip a switch.. The furnace starts up
Flip a switch, The Fridge starts up
Flip a switch the Deep Freeze starts up
Flip a switch the UPS on the computer stopps going BEEP BEEP BEEP
Flip a switch and the Telesision starts yammering about all the people who can't see television cause they are out of power
Flip a switch.. Well you get the idea
And no rats nest of extension cords, No "splitters" no mess at all
Just two plugs (one on each end of the cord) and a few switches
Don't need to muscle the fridge out to pull it's plug or .. Actually don't mess with ANY plugs inside the house
When the hall light comes back on
Flip switches the other way and shut down generator
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business
Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377
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wittmeba
Roanoke, Va
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Joined: 02/02/2001
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wa8yxm,
Quote:First I obtained a Generator Transfer Switch from Home Deopt or Lowes (I think HD)
So...you went to 20 or 48 - you dont remember which one... 
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