Generator to run pellet stove advice needed

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hookthefish

Member
Nov 29, 2009
59
North East Ma
I recently purchased a small 1000 watt generator for the soul purpose of running only my pellet stove and 2 LED lamps when the power go's out, I would like to know if this wiring diagram looks Legit for a simple generator plug in?
I am aware that generator feed back into the home without a gen switch isn't good but my new gen doesn't have the plug to connect to a gen switch box and I don't want to feed my whole home, only the outlet my stove is using.
This diagram makes sense to me with the switch to disconnect the line from the circuit breaker and not needing to run extension cords though windows or doors that lets cold air into the home.
 

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I am wanting to do the same... waiting for others to chime in if it's safe and passes code.
 
Why not just make up your own cord that will plug into your generator and a transfer switch?
 
It dose make sense that the switch to disconnect the line from the circuit panel to isolate only 2 outlets that can run of the generator. It looks like it works as the same manner as a genset switch.
 
No. I f I follow it correctly, it will not work. And if you are planning on plugging the generator into that outlet,that is unsafe.
 
Papelletman said:
Why not just make up your own cord that will plug into your generator and a transfer switch?
Click to expand...
A generator transfer switch is made to be wired into the circuit panel that feeds the home, I don't want to feed my whole home and my panel is located to far from my stove to lose wattage with long wire runs.
 
I have 2 comments. First off, the stove is electronically controlled and electronic components are most times sensative to voltage fluctuations and moreso frequency fluctuations and wave form. Your utility power is clean and stable or cleaner and more stable than a 1000 watt portable genny (unless it's an inverter genny delivering true sine wave 60hz electronically regulated power). Why chance frying the board with a cheap genny?

Secondly, would seem to me a better alternative would be a UPS to safely shut down the stove and your central heat plant as a viable backup... but thats just me.
 
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Unless I am missing something your diagram does not look right. It looks like you could potentially have both power sources going to the stove at the same time. Have you looked at a DPDT toggle switch where only one source could be feeding the stove at any given time?
My generator is a Honda EU2000, inverter generator for clean power to protect the electronics/boards.
 
SidecarFlip said:
I have 2 comments. First off, the stove is electronically controlled and electronic components are most times sensative to voltage fluctuations and moreso frequency fluctuations and wave form. Your utility power is clean and stable or cleaner and more stable than a 1000 watt portable genny (unless it's an inverter genny delivering true sine wave 60hz electronically regulated power). Why chance frying the board with a cheap genny?

Secondly, would seem to me a better alternative would be a UPS to safely shut down the stove and your central heat plant as a viable backup... but thats just me.
Click to expand...

Agreed! My generator goes to a transfer switch and my oil burner.
 
mikhen said:
No. I f I follow it correctly, it will not work. And if you are planning on plugging the generator into that outlet,that is unsafe.
Click to expand...
How is this diagram any diffrent
stmar said:
Unless I am missing something your diagram does not look right. It looks like you could potentially have both power sources going to the stove at the same time. Have you looked at a DPDT toggle switch where only one source could be feeding the stove at any given time?
My generator is a Honda EU2000, inverter generator for clean power to protect the electronics/boards.
Click to expand...
From what I see the switch turns off the power from the line coming from the circuit breaker, if the power comes back on after a power outage the 2 outlets will not be fed by the utility power and no feed back to the panel.
 
hookthefish said:
A generator transfer switch is made to be wired into the circuit panel that feeds the home, I don't want to feed my whole home and my panel is located to far from my stove to lose wattage with long wire runs.
Click to expand...

If i was going to do it your way, i would put and outdoor box that the genny could plug into, then on the inside of your house install a seperate outlet that is NOT hooked up to the breaker box, only powered by the genny.
 
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Heres a quick and crude drawing.....hope it helps
 

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Looks like a job for an electrician, I would't be taking any chances with electricity and fire sources if I had to ask so many questions. A Honda or Yamaha inverter generator is the way to go, no worries.
 
Of course, to just power a few things, to keep it simple, get an extension cord with multiple outlets on the end.
 
Papelletman said:
Agreed! My generator goes to a transfer switch and my oil burner.
Click to expand...
Well last time when I had a 3500 watt generator and gen set transfer switch it could not run my gas furnace, had 2 professionals look at it and couldn't figure out why it didn't work. Spent $3,000 for something that failed and the generator motor went bad in 4 years.

From what I see is my pellet stove only use 200 watts, new generator only cost $100 and runs longer with less fuel. (8 hours on 1.3 gallons of gas)
 
709GADE said:
Looks like a job for an electrician, I would't be taking any chances with electricity and fire sources if I had to ask so many questions. A Honda or Yamaha inverter generator is the way to go, no worries.
Click to expand...
True, I hope to get a reply from an electrician that a friend of mine knows.
 
hookthefish said:
From what I see the switch turns off the power from the line coming from the circuit breaker, if the power comes back on after a power outage the 2 outlets will not be fed by the utility power and no feed back to the panel.
Click to expand...
For safety reasons you cannot have two different sources of power feeding a load without some type of transfer switch that isolates the power sources from each other. What if the power came back on and the gen is running and someone flips the switch? You would have both power sources feeding the stove, not a good situation, probably more fireworks than you want.
 
You don't want an "outlet" on the outside of the house, you want "inlet". Get a 10 gauge extension cord for the gen and plug female end into this inlet:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00074USHY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Mounted into this on outside of house:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Greenfie...-with-Three-1-2-in-Holes-Gray-B23PS/202188611

Connected to this on inside wall:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Leviton-...d-Black-Buttons-White-R72-N7599-0RW/203425810

Via 12/2 Romex inside the wall.

This creates a wall pass-thru so you do not need extension cords run through windows/doors.

Plug into the GFCI (inside the house) with 2 extension cords to run the stove and lights etc. on two power strips.

I use this to get power from EU2000i into the basement - works great.....
 
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richkorn said:
You don't want an "outlet" on the outside of the house, you want "inlet". Get a 10 gauge extension cord for the gen and plug female end into this inlet:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00074USHY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Mounted into this on outside of house:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Greenfie...-with-Three-1-2-in-Holes-Gray-B23PS/202188611

Connected to this:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Leviton-...d-Black-Buttons-White-R72-N7599-0RW/203425810

Via 12/2 Romex inside the wall.

This creates a wall pass-thru so you do not need extension cords run through windows/doors.

Plug into the GFCI (inside the house) with 2 extension cords to run the stove and lights etc. on two power strips.

I use this to get power from EU2000i into the basement - works great.....
Click to expand...
Ok, kind of the same Idea of the diagram but not putting in a switch and no home utility wire. Just a simple A to B, 2 receptacles and 1 wire connected to both.
 
richkorn said:
You don't want an "outlet" on the outside of the house, you want "inlet". Get a 10 gauge extension cord for the gen and plug female end into this inlet:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00074USHY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Mounted into this on outside of house:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Greenfie...-with-Three-1-2-in-Holes-Gray-B23PS/202188611

Connected to this:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Leviton-...d-Black-Buttons-White-R72-N7599-0RW/203425810

Via 12/2 Romex inside the wall.

This creates a wall pass-thru so you do not need extension cords run through windows/doors.

Plug into the GFCI (inside the house) with 2 extension cords to run the stove and lights etc. on two power strips.

I use this to get power from EU2000i into the basement - works great.....
Click to expand...

I like it! Works for me, Thanks!
http://www.gordonelectricsupply.com...ocess~search?gclid=CNHS7P2OgMMCFSgQ7Aod_1wAXg
 
Last edited:
This is relevant to my interests.
 
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