"Jordan" wrote in message
...
I have been finding online $100 6-breaker transfer switches for the
inside (1 240v and 4 120v). The obvious drawback is that after the
well pump, fridge and heating I am limited to choosing only two rooms
to have lights and it costs a lot to have installed. My lighting is
very low watts so I don't want to be stuck in two rooms during a long
outage and I have been getting some prices around $350 to install the
box.

I would think that there should be a very simple switch out there that
interrupts the line outside before the breaker panel and transfers the
entire house over to the generator input and it would be at a
reasonable price and resonable cost to instal since it is just one
split. I can't seem to find a device like this anywhere.

In the $100 6 breaker box your getting the box and 6 breakers. In the
100 amp switches that I have been able to fine there is only one 100
amp switch and the unit costs $400. Does what I am looking for
exists? Why are these 100 amp switches I am finding cost so much for
so little?


The type of generator transfer switch you are referring to must be equal to
or greater than the size of your main service disconnect. They are neither
cheap to buy or cheap to install. Depending upon the size of your generator,
you can buy the type of circuit breaker transfer switches in larger sizes
than six circuits. You can also get a panel specific transfer device, that
allows you to use the existing main panel, as the transfer switch. These
cost $150 and will require some drilling of the panel cover to install, as
well as the addition of a double pole circuit breaker, and wiring to the
generator.