"Leo Lichtman" wrote in message
...

Toolbert wrote: (clip) The interlock prevents both from being on at the
same time. (clip)
^^^^^^^^^^^
That is a very important requirement, both legally and practically. When
I
first set up my generator, I solved the problem by buying a heavy
twistlock
connector, and inserting it into the power line between the meter and the
house. I wired a cord with a matching connector, which brought the power
from my generator to the same location. In order to plug the generator
into
the house, it was necessary to unplug from the utility. In order to
reconnect to the utility, I had to unplug from the meter. No way could
they
be hooked up at the same time, and the plugs were designed to minimize any
possibility of touching a "hot" prong.

Costco, for a while, was selling an overpriced setup, with wattmeters and
several double-throw circuit breakers, which is more convenient. They
evidently didn't sell well, because the price kept dropping. When it got
down to $60 I bought the next to the last one they had, and it working
really well.



I bought the same Coleman transfer unit at Costco for $150 after watching
the price drop 2-3 times, I should have waited longer!

That being said, I am listening to the roar of the generator and enjoying a
warm house w/lights and a working computer when 99% of my neighbors have
been without power for over 24 hours now. Gotta love what 3-5" of snow does
to the lowlands in Washington. (Actually it was the freezing rain after the
snow that killed all of the power lines)

Oh yeah, I bartered with a local electrician to install the transfer
switch - total cost to me was about $60 for installation, WAY better than
frying some poor lineman who is trying to hook your power back up for you.

-Dan