Fair bid for generator interlock install?

[Soundchasm]

Howdy All,
Finally getting around to getting the generator connected to the house. Bought an LP model hoping that LP will be easier to get than gasoline in a power outage. I know I lose generator potential with LP over gas, but storage seems better.

I don't mind paying a fair price for quality work started and finished. We probably better leave the grounding issue to another discussion. It's been covered here before. I don't think it's necessary, but they may not install w/o it.

There's no way I'm touching my house panel with my own hands, and I respect those who are able to do this themselves. I'm also inclined to skip the surge protection. Anyway, here's the bid in question-
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A. Install whole house interlocks and generator hook-up-

1. Supply and install 2 new Interlock kits for portable generator.

2. Route 3 circuits from 100 Amp panel to 200 Amp panel to accommodate generator breaker.

3. Install two 30 Amp 2 pole breakers for generator disconnects.

4. Route new 10-3 Romex wire from each panel to junction box above panels.

5. Route new 10-3 Romex wire out of junction box to new NEMA 14-30 inlet device.

6. Supply and install new weather proof NEMA 14-30 inlet box and device located near meter base.

7. Install retainer straps to new 30 Amp breakers to meet code.

8. Drive new 8’ ground rod and leave #6 bare copper connection for generator.

9. Provide new #10 gauge generator cord with NEMA 14-30 cord caps.


A = $1,225.00


B. Option for whole house surge protection-

1. Supply and install 2 new Cutler Hammer CH breaker style surge protectors in each panel of 300 Amp service.

2. Rework circuits in each panel to accommodate surge breakers.


B = $300.00
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Here are the two panels. The house is 1955. I believe it had fuel oil, then baseboard heat, and now a heat pump. I still have unused 220V circuits.

Generator.

Outside electrical service.

Thanks in advance,
Greg

 

[Dr.Faustus]

To me that estimate seems fairly reasonable. Its not the cheapest yet not outrageous. My concern from your generator pictures are the bbq type propane that fuels it. In the freezing dead of winter, the small cylinders get so cold that theres not enough gas pressure from them to fuel the genset. Here in NY they recommend a much larger cylinder and that you have 2 of them piggybacked to maintain the pressure in the cold.

My personal one for my house uses diesel. I keep it in the unheated garage with a battery tender and have never had an issue with it. My other house uses propane and I needed 2 large cylinders, but that also is a much larger 12kw generator which I'm sure has a much higher gas requirement.

 

[Soundchasm]

Thank you, Dr. I hadn't considered low temperatures into the equation. It will take a larger propane tank. The "normal" time we lose power is tornado season, and that's warm weather. But ice storms are a drag, too. I read in the generator reviews that the unit would be hard to start if filled with the supplied 30W oil, and it might be smart to replace it with 5-30, but if it can't get fuel...

It'd be a chicken/egg problem to think about warming the tank up with a floodlight. I can always warm the tank indoors and then use a 75W bulb to try and keep it warm outside.

I'll look into the piggybacking thing. Thanks for the good thoughts.

 

[jebatty]

Amusing in reading this in that my computer just got off power from my 2000 watt 120v inverter generator using an extension cord. Power was off 4.5 hours this night now ending caused by ferocious winds likely taking down a tree. For brief power outages I use the inverter generator on an extension cord to a critical device(s). The same generator gets used for camping and other miscellaneous power requirements away from the house/garage.

Now that you have the LP generator, it is time to hook it up. You got good advice on cold impact on LP. Our cold which gets down to -30 to high -40'sF makes even a big tank problematical in providing pressure. For that reason I did not consider an LP and did consider a diesel gen, but due to infrequent power outages, and usually short ones when they occur, plus the need for reliability in the winter, the portable gen route seemed more practical. Using the 2000w inverter gen for the computer is the first time in over a year that needed to be done. It's been at least two years since the 5500w was used for the house during a power outage.

For long power outages with greater power requirements I have a 5500w surge 240v gasoline generator which plugs into a 10-circuit transfer switch off the main panel. The generator is on wheels to make it easy to move it to location. Lighting, computer/entertainment, well pump, microwave, refrig/freezer are on the transfer switch -- in short, everything needed to continue a reasonably comfortable life during power outages which have been for up to four days. As a plus, this generator also powers my mig welder so I can do necessary welding anywhere. We usually have 15-30 gal of gasoline on hand, rotated to fuel the cars, so we are well-prepared if we need to use the generator.

 

[Soundchasm]

Jebatty,
Northern MN winters must be legendary at least. We've seen -10 here for the past two winters, and it gets your attention when you flip on the new CFL lights outside and they don't light up... I've got a section of unfinished basement with walls above the grade and the inside temp of the concrete was below freezing and then some.

I'll store the propane indoors during bitter cold and go multi-weight oil in the genny. Seems fate decides that after you get something it may be quite a wait before you use it!

 

[Soundchasm]

I'll pull the trigger on this bid Monday. I'll skip the whole house surge protection.

Appreciate the sanity check.

 

[Dr.Faustus]

Now that i'm thinking about it, if you stored it inside when not in use, yet built some enclosure for it outside and provided a pipe through it for the exhaust, the heat of the generator should keep the propane warm enough to keep on running.