Sounds like a good plan and unless there is a need for full automatic transfer I wouldn't worry about it for now. Since we retired I like the full automatic but ours runs on natural gas and we are sometimes gone for weeks during the bitter winters. That's when stuff starts freezing and bursting. Fortunately we are also blessed with some great neighbors which helps.

Overall your project is really going well. That does suck about the relay and you needing to "fix" a new out of the box part. As to things like the ventilation most of that has been purely a learning curve but you have been doing great.

Before I forget and I may have mentioned this earlier, depending on your winters you may want to consider an engine warmer like a heating oil dipstick so if you need the generator in the winter you get an easy start.

Ron

 

So it's been a while.. I got a letter from my freindly metro district that my generator shack is an 'unnauthorized structure' and that I need to tear it down in 30 days or submit plans for review.... Well after I read through the rest of the covanents I discovered that I could call it a 'dog house' as long as it is under 4' tall, painted and sheilded from view from the front of the house.

So I've been busy sinking post and cutting the roof down on the shack. Don't tread on me ya fuks... Also switched out the rotary fan for a blower type, and I hooked it up to the generator.

 

So it's been a while.. I got a letter from my freindly metro district that my generator shack is an 'unnauthorized structure' and that I need to tear it down in 30 days or submit plans for review.... Well after I read through the rest of the covanents I discovered that I could call it a 'dog house' as long as it is under 4' tall, painted and sheilded from view from the front of the house.

We just built a garage over last fall. Naturally the city with their money grab came along. All in all about $1,000 later we had all the permits and went through phase by phase inspections. The inspector was looking at the tie in for the storm sewer system and asked where we were going to run power? I told him we weren't and there was no requirement for power. That permit would have been another $300 plus submit a site plan including all outlets and switches with outlets additional $5.00 each. As soon as the darn building was signed off complete we ran a 2" buried pipe out. I ran armored AWG 6. Anyway it was all about a money grab.

Ron

 

Did a neighbor rat on you?

 

Yea but he's ratting on everyone. He walks around the neighborhood with a clip board, he's starting to garner a reputation.... I wouldn't be surprised to see all 4 of his tires slashed on his prius within this next year.

 

Yea but he's ratting on everyone. He walks around the neighborhood with a clip board, he's starting to garner a reputation.... I wouldn't be surprised to see all 4 of his tires slashed on his prius within this next year.

Some people walk around the neighborhood with clip boards taking notes and some wander with their phones taking pictures. They apparently have little else to do with their time. Me? I spend my time wisely. I sit on my front steps cleaning my guns watching them.

Ron

 

Operation Shield Fence is complete... for now

 

This project just continues to grow. The first extended blackout you are going to really appreciate this. Then those who had a problem with the original box can sit in the darl and cold.

Ron