Running the stove with a generator

[Rochev]

I had this figured out last year, and now I can't see where the option is anymore.

Last winter I tried using my pellet stove with my generator, and it didn't work and made the motors buzz loudly. Found out I need a pure since wave inverter.

I found a device on Amazon that plugged into a generator, and then the stove plugs into that. Perfect. NOW, I don't see that option anywhere at all. All I can find is a standalone inverter that connects to a car battery. I really would rather not buy a car battery just to use it maybe a few times a year, while probably draining it each time.

I'm hoping someone can point me in the direction I was in last year!

 

[bogieb]

Would a UPS clean that up for you?

 

[EbS-P]

What generator do you have?

 

[Washed-Up]

You have to have pure sine wave power going into your stove due to the electronics involved…either a pure sine wave generator or a converter off the generator that you plug your stove into

 

[Rochev]

I'm not sure if a ups device will work, I may have to try it. But my main frustration is that a pure since device that plugs into an outlet seems to be non-existent. They all have leads that connect to a battery, or a cigarette lighter in a car. I can't find the plug in options like I did last season. I have a King and an Englander stove.

 

[Roadstar]

I always have my stove plugged into a surge protector power strip. When my power goes out I plug the power strip directly to my Westinghouse 7500 watt generator. I never had any problem. I have since bought a Champion inverter generator that I use for such emergencies. Inverters have a constant sine wave output, recommended for sensitive electronics. Harbor Freight has a 2000 watt inverter generator for $600. Perhaps more than you want to spend but it’s an option. Here’s another place to search for generators:

GeneratorBible.com - Leader In Portable Generators Stats & Comparison

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generatorbible.com

 

[mtnbiker727]

So I bought a portable generator, a Westinghouse WGen9500DFc. My electrician is going to set up a plug so I can plug the 50 amp outlet into my electrical service panel. Then I will be able to power anything within my panel box (not all at the same time, of course). The main reason I got the generator is to be able to run my pellet stove if the power is out for a long time.

In the back of my mind, which has finally resurfaced, I remember people on here talking about pure sine wave inverters, etc. Since I already bought the generator is there something I can do now to make this work without ruining my stove?

 

[Whitenuckler]

So I bought a portable generator, a Westinghouse WGen9500DFc. My electrician is going to set up a plug so I can plug the 50 amp outlet into my electrical service panel. Then I will be able to power anything within my panel box (not all at the same time, of course). The main reason I got the generator is to be able to run my pellet stove if the power is out for a long time.

In the back of my mind, which has finally resurfaced, I remember people on here talking about pure sine wave inverters, etc. Since I already bought the generator is there something I can do now to make this work without ruining my stove?

You will be in great shape, as that is a true alternator like Westinghouse intended. The issue we have is with inverters that produce modified sine wave. I have something like that too in the garage, and a 30A 240V plug and emergency panel.

 

[zrock]

So I bought a portable generator, a Westinghouse WGen9500DFc. My electrician is going to set up a plug so I can plug the 50 amp outlet into my electrical service panel. Then I will be able to power anything within my panel box (not all at the same time, of course). The main reason I got the generator is to be able to run my pellet stove if the power is out for a long time.

In the back of my mind, which has finally resurfaced, I remember people on here talking about pure sine wave inverters, etc. Since I already bought the generator is there something I can do now to make this work without ruining my stove?

Hopefully your electrician does it right and does not just install a plug. You need a manual or automatic transfer switch. Or some way to shut down the power from the hydro lines while the gen is running and connected.

 

[Whitenuckler]

Hopefully your electrician does it right and does not just install a plug. You need a manual or automatic transfer switch. Or some way to shut down the power from the hydro lines while the gen is running and connected.

Should be a new double pole breaker with mechanical interlock at a minimum. I have an manual emergency panel, so the breakers are there. In my last house I had a nat gas generator with auto transfer switch/panel. The sockets/plug/cable are just to go from the generator to outside the house, or some will be hardwired like my old house.

 

[mtnbiker727]

Hopefully your electrician does it right and does not just install a plug. You need a manual or automatic transfer switch. Or some way to shut down the power from the hydro lines while the gen is running and connected.

He's going to wire it into the service panel on the outside of the house. I will flip the service switch off, then switch the generator breaker on, then turn the generator on. I don't know how an interlock will work in the service panel, but I'll talk to him about that.

 

[Whitenuckler]

He's going to wire it into the service panel on the outside of the house. I will flip the service switch off, then switch the generator breaker on, then turn the generator on. I don't know how an interlock will work in the service panel, but I'll talk to him about that.

I'm not sure what the service panel is. We don't have those here. The overhead or buried cable goes to a meter box (the utility can pull the meter to disconnect the house), then to either a 100A or 200A panel with a main breaker and all the load breakers. If the cable were going there, he would add a breaker up near the main breaker and an interlock plate installed

Siemens ECSBPK02 Generator Standby Power Mechanical Interlock : Amazon.ca: Industrial & Scientific

Siemens ECSBPK02 Generator Standby Power Mechanical Interlock : Amazon.ca: Industrial & Scientific

www.amazon.ca

 

[Burnin Since 1989]

Without the interlock you risk forgetting to shut off the main breaker. Leaving the main on will backfeed the power lines and if there is someone working on them, they could by severely injured.

 

[Whitenuckler]

Without the interlock you risk forgetting to shut off the main breaker. Leaving the main on will backfeed the power lines and if there is someone working on them, they could by severely injured.

Also, which is less important, you will be improperly syncing your home generator to the utility, and the utility will win
the battle. You need dead switching.

 

[mtnbiker727]

I'm not sure what the service panel is. We don't have those here. The overhead or buried cable goes to a meter box (the utility can pull the meter to disconnect the house), then to either a 100A or 200A panel with a main breaker and all the load breakers. If the cable were going there, he would add a breaker up near the main breaker and an interlock plate installed

Siemens ECSBPK02 Generator Standby Power Mechanical Interlock : Amazon.ca: Industrial & Scientific

Siemens ECSBPK02 Generator Standby Power Mechanical Interlock : Amazon.ca: Industrial & Scientific

www.amazon.ca

The service panel is the part of the meter box that can be opened by the homeowner. Inside is a switch to shut off the service to the house, without needing to enter the house and throw the main breaker.

 

[Whitenuckler]

The service panel is the part of the meter box that can be opened by the homeowner. Inside is a switch to shut off the service to the house, without needing to enter the house and throw the main breaker.

It seems to me that box should be for the utility only, as they probably own it if the meter is in there. Our meter boxes are sealed by the utility after they install the meter. Otherwise some smart guy would go in and jumper out the CT's on the meter...not that I would ever do that. I have heard that growop guys get into service entrance boxes and bypass the meter for free power for their lights. I don't think the electrician could mechanically interlock there but I could be wrong. Maybe if he can get another two pole breaker in there in line with the other one. That is how it is done in my emergency panel.

 

[mtnbiker727]

It seems to me that box should be for the utility only, as they probably own it if the meter is in there. Our meter boxes are sealed by the utility after they install the meter. Otherwise some smart guy would go in and jumper out the CT's on the meter...not that I would ever do that. I have heard that growop guys get into service entrance boxes and bypass the meter for free power for their lights. I don't think the electrician could mechanically interlock there but I could be wrong. Maybe if he can get another two breaker in there in line with the other one. That is how it is done in my emergency panel.

There are two parts to the panel. One contains the meter which is locked, and the other is the switch, which is not locked. I can take a picture of it tomorrow when I'm back up there, but at this point there's not much to see.

 

[Dataman]

I have Inverter Charger (AIMS Power PICOGLF12W12V120AL Green 1250W Power Inverter Charger) for my Pellet Stove with 200ah batteries (100ah ea). Good for 12-18 hours at best. Longest without power has been 10 hours and I then had only one 100ah battery and used 30ah to get me over the hump.

Have 7k Generator for house, Fridge, Pump but it's not Inverter.

I purchased Sportsman 1k Inverter Generator.

Item # GEN1000I
Sportsman Gas Powered
1000 Surge Watt Inverter Generator​

So if it goes longer than day I can still have heat. Tested works great. Have yet to use it really more than testing. Pellet stove this year is for really cold temps (Sub Zero). We put in Extreme Cold Weather Heat Pump (Madea Evox G3 - They Make Carrier Unit along with others) good for -22f. Time will tell. Very mild Fall Weather. Heat Pump is using about 9kw or 60 cents per day for heating. Vs half to full bag of pellets ($7 bucks with delivery). (Pass thru in Closet for Extension Cord for Generator so don't kill ourselves with exaust, ie PVC Pipe with cover.

Typically Winter here is not that Extreme. About week of sub zero at worst. Eastern WA State (Newport WA).