pigfarmer
tall, thin, irritable
In that range I'd look to make sure the generator provides a 4 prong twist lock outlet unless you're going to just run extension cords. If that's all you need something much smaller and quieter like a Honda portable inverter type might not be a bad choice. Haven't seen any multi-fuel but would not doubt they make them for certain markets.
If you want to actually connect it to your house's panel then make sure the generator has a 30 amp 250/125v L14-30 outlet on it. I have seen hundreds and hundreds of generators fly out the door and what I wrote below is something I have been through fifty zillion times, so if you know how to do it skip it. The multi-fuel ones, even the Fords, I have seen pass through as special orders but are not generally available in store. They were all pretty big. Some might have been 50 amp. I know you don't want to power much but when you start to compare the materials using what's most common is usually easiest and at least around here a 30A inlet is common. 4 wire connections lets you connect it safely to the panel. Mine's a 20amp output I wired as a 30 because it's old and when it goes a 30 will replace it - and even finding the right stuff to make it 20amp only would have been a p.i.t.a . Even at 20amps I have heat, hot water, lights, maybe one burner on the stove, refrigerator, all the tv, internet and gadgets.
A really common hookup is a weather resistant inlet flange on the side of the structure you want to provide power to. In dry locations just run 10/3 with ground NM-B cable from the service panel to the flange. Wet locations use 10/3 with ground UF cable. The cable is terminated in the main service panel on a double pole 30 amp breaker. Ideally with a lockout that requires the main breaker to be off before the generator breaker can be on so your new genny doesn't shock the hell of the utility worker out on the pole. Use a female-male generator cord to hook it up. The premade ones are 25' and weathertight. You want to DIY and make the cord with long SO or SJ rubber cord then with the plug there is a suffix letter. P is a male plug, R can be an in wall receptacle or a cylindrical socket cap. Use the socket cap on one end.
When the power goes out I just plug in the generator and fire it up. Then go to the main panel and go click, click. Then everything in the house works. Ask for more from the circuit than it can give and it'll likely pop the faceplate breaker on the generator itself first. Having farted around with cords and plugs and actual work to hook things up for years this is easy peasy.
If you want to actually connect it to your house's panel then make sure the generator has a 30 amp 250/125v L14-30 outlet on it. I have seen hundreds and hundreds of generators fly out the door and what I wrote below is something I have been through fifty zillion times, so if you know how to do it skip it. The multi-fuel ones, even the Fords, I have seen pass through as special orders but are not generally available in store. They were all pretty big. Some might have been 50 amp. I know you don't want to power much but when you start to compare the materials using what's most common is usually easiest and at least around here a 30A inlet is common. 4 wire connections lets you connect it safely to the panel. Mine's a 20amp output I wired as a 30 because it's old and when it goes a 30 will replace it - and even finding the right stuff to make it 20amp only would have been a p.i.t.a . Even at 20amps I have heat, hot water, lights, maybe one burner on the stove, refrigerator, all the tv, internet and gadgets.
A really common hookup is a weather resistant inlet flange on the side of the structure you want to provide power to. In dry locations just run 10/3 with ground NM-B cable from the service panel to the flange. Wet locations use 10/3 with ground UF cable. The cable is terminated in the main service panel on a double pole 30 amp breaker. Ideally with a lockout that requires the main breaker to be off before the generator breaker can be on so your new genny doesn't shock the hell of the utility worker out on the pole. Use a female-male generator cord to hook it up. The premade ones are 25' and weathertight. You want to DIY and make the cord with long SO or SJ rubber cord then with the plug there is a suffix letter. P is a male plug, R can be an in wall receptacle or a cylindrical socket cap. Use the socket cap on one end.
When the power goes out I just plug in the generator and fire it up. Then go to the main panel and go click, click. Then everything in the house works. Ask for more from the circuit than it can give and it'll likely pop the faceplate breaker on the generator itself first. Having farted around with cords and plugs and actual work to hook things up for years this is easy peasy.
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