Generator powering my furnace blower?

[Mattl22]

Anyone know if I can just run my blower off my generator to keep my heat on I have a gas boiler ??

If it's a pita should I just have my generator tied into my main panel
And turn off the ones I don't need?

 

[greg 45]

I have a splice where I can connect a plug to it and plug into generator . Then I can switch from house power to generator and back.

 

[albano]

I have a splice where I can connect a plug to it and plug into generator . Then I can switch from house power to generator and back.

Does the 'splice' prevent power from feeding back to main power box?

 

[pecan2phat]

Matt,
You must be getting ready for the impending blizzard

 

[Paul B]

Matt, I live in New Hyde Park. You can easily do it kind of illegally yourself. Just buy a male plug the same type that goes into one of your wall air conditioners or any 220 volt outlet in your house. If you don't have any 220 outlets, get a regular 110 volt plug like you have on any appliance. If you have a 220 outlet in your house, Cut off the female plug on your generator wire, or buy a new 220 volt plug and put the new plug on the wire. If I had time I would do it for you.
If the power goes out, plug that new plug into anywhere in your house, TURN OFF THE MAIN BREAKER, start the generator and see if your burner is working. If you used a 110 volt plug, you may have to plug it in another outlet because there are two circuits feeding all the outlets in your house and you won't know which one your boiler is on. Just keep plugging it in different outlets until your boiler runs. If you used the 220 plug, all the outlets in your home will be live including your boiler. This is illegal because that new plug you installed will be live so make sure you turn off the generator before you unplug that plug from your house.
I just read this and it sounds confusing. Just hope the power doesn't go off.

 

[greg 45]

power

Does the 'splice' prevent power from feeding back to main power box?

yes it will not feed back / disconnect one end of house power and connect to generator .
Paul explains it better

 

[lrasser]

easier way I do this is to cut the end off of an extension cord the pull the emergency cutoff switch out. connect the two wires and the furnace will work fine. Did this on multiple houses through Sandy.

 

[STHILL]

Just buy a furnace transfer switch...about $90..
There are few different companies that's make them ...

 

[Mattl22]

Sthill that's more what I'm after I'm not comfortable setting it up the other way Paul b explained makes me nervous I can run cords to the few things I need really just my furnace
Tank and fridge maybe a tv

Sthill how much is a transfer switch for the main panel ?

 

[Will]

I have done it the way Irasser said and it worked fine for my gas boiler. Only difference was that I turned off the breaker to the boiler before I pulled the switch apart just in case the power came back on while I was working on the switch. Can't be too careful...
BTW , I was an HVAC tech before I retired..

 

[edd]

the easiest way is to put a 220 outlet next to your panel, turn off main breaker and back feed the panel. but you must remember to turn off main, it can back feed to wires out on the pole. and if electric company is working on them they can get electrocuted or if power comes back on with main on you will fry the gen.
if your not looking to take chances then the transfer switch is the safest way.
i would back feed the panel.

 

[Mattl22]

I don't wanna back feed ! I'm usually a risk taker but not when it has to do with electricity because I don't know enough about it and don't feel it's something that u can just wing it like most diy
I'm gonna look into a transfer switch

 

[Paul B]

Back feeding is no problem and you are not really "back" feeding anything. Just feeding the panel from a different location.
(master electrician 40 years, retired)

 

[edd]

Back feeding is no problem and you are not really "back" feeding anything. Just feeding the panel from a different location.
(master electrician 40 years, retired)

it can be a big problem if you forget to turn the main off. for your generator or men working on the poles.

 

[Paul B]

I know that is discussed and believed but most likely If you forgot to turn off the main, your generator will try to power the entire United States Grid and that wouldn't happen so it would just trip the breaker on the generator. But turn it off anyway

 

[cono]

Do as Paul said he really knows what he is talking about