Buying a Generator

[mensaguy]

Originally Posted by slyfox2

Submariner,

How much do these transfer devices actually cost? How much would it cost me to hire an electrician to put one in and connect it to my circuit breaker box. I do wiring, but I don't touch the box, one mis-touch there is death. One mis-touch on the wiring is a shock up to my shoulder.

Originally Posted by slyfox2

You sayin' that running a line from the generator outside, to a switcher and to the panel would cost a thousand dollars with equipment and labor. That seems awfully steep.

GE makes a small transfer switch that cost ~$130 at Home Depot. In addition, you need some inexpensive GE circuit breakers to put in it. You need to run cables from the transfer switch to the main panel, and also to an outside receptacle for the generator. That requires #6 cable. 6/3 cable with ground costs ~$2/ft. That means there is a substantial cost for the equipment to do the install. Then you need an outdoor receptacle suitable for the generator that you have. If I remember right, mine cost ~$35-40.

An electrician working alone can probably get this all wired up in a day, assuming easy access to all the wiring in the house. You should also expect that the job would use at least $100 in #12 and #14 cable, wiring boxes, box clamps, staples, wire nuts, etc.

An estimate of $1000 total cost may not miss it much.

[slyfox2]

In my case, the generator placement is about 3 feet from the box and the junction where the line comes into the house. The 6/3 cable won't cost more than $20 max.

[Submariner]

The $1,000 is not just to cover the cost of wire.

[Zymer]

Originally Posted by slyfox2

I do wiring, but I don't touch the box, one mis-touch there is death. One mis-touch on the wiring is a shock up to my shoulder.

If you have a reasonably modern setup at the meter, there may be a cut-off switch or breakers there to cut the main power without removing the meter, so that you can work in the panel. In the best-case scenario, there is a loop through which you can put a padlock, in order to prevent kind-hearted but ignorant souls from switching the power back on without your knowledge.

[slyfox2]

Originally Posted by Submariner

The $1,000 is not just to cover the cost of wire.

yeahhhh.... I got that.