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Carguy9999 · Oct 19, 2007, 06:24 AM

Hello – about ten years ago I had a new gas hot water heater and gas furnace installed in my home. (Converted from electric heat & water talk about savings) The installers picked up the electric from a standard basement porcelain single bulb fixture (about 5 feet from the new equipment). The hot water heater has a direct vent fan that is plugged into a quad outlet installed at the time of installation (mounted about 7’ high on the wall next to the equipment). The vent blower motor and circulators for the hot water are hardwired from the ceiling fixture to a box on the furnace.

What I would like to do is convert the hardwired furnace to a plug and simply plug it into the same quad outlet that the hot water heater plugs into. This will allow me to unplug the furnace fan and circulators and hot water heater blower motor and plug them into my Honda Inverter / Generator if needed.

Seems simply to me to disconnect the Romax type wiring from the ceiling fixture put a plug end on it and plug it in. Am I missing something? I know I could install a generator bypass switch (probably the best way) , but since this is only for emergencies and because the equipment will not be connected to the house wiring when unplugged eliminating any power feed back – seems clean to me.

Would appreciate your thoughts

Sincerely,

Bob

KISS · Oct 19, 2007, 07:01 AM

Let's assume that the generator capacity and load calculations are OK. Are they?

You need a clean way of getting the generator power into the house. How do you plan on doing this?

How do you plan on placing the required protection on the water heater and heater while on generator power?

So, just to attack the plug question. This is my answer.

Romex doesn't like plugs attached to the ends, therefore I would recommend that the Romex be replaced with SO/SJO portable cordage and a twist-loc receptacle and plug. This would be more flexible and the cords won't fall out accidentally.

I would also recommend a small light on generator power.

When your done, you may find that a simple transfer panel would suffice.

Take a look at some of the products this company offers: http://www.reliancecontrols.com/Prod...il.aspx?TF201W

Carguy9999 · Oct 19, 2007, 07:30 AM

Thanks for your response.

Generator amperage draw calculates OK (even at startup) I planned on using a heavy duty extension cord from the generator and plugging the equipment in directly. The Honda Inverter is “supposedly” clean power suitable for electronics. I’m not sure what you meant by required protection?

Can I join Romex and SO/JO in a junction box or do I need to run this back into the furnace connection>

Thanks Again

Bob

labman · Oct 19, 2007, 08:56 AM

It may not be the best practice, but it is common to put a plug on Romex. It would need to be a heavy duty one. Yes, it would be better to set a box and splice the flex cord to the Romex in it. If you run a flex cord, make sure it is heavy enough for the furnace. I would be attentive to your grounding and make sure your generator is putting out good voltage. I have seen enough reports of furnaces not running on generators, that I was relived when I tested mine and it worked.

Depending on how big your generator is, it might or might not be worth while tying it into the house wiring. I am just finishing a few last details on mine. I have a 6250 Watt Coleman, and with a little care, we should be able to run everything except the A/C and range. It is discussed extensively at
https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/electr...se-123290.html If you have a couple of extra slots in your breaker box, I think the interlock plate I used is a far better solution than the Reliance Panels. It was only $150, and if you have a Square D or Homeline box, they have plates even cheaper. You have to set a back feed breaker in the 2,4 slots and run out to a plug for the generator. The Reliance panels cost more, require more wiring, and limit you to only a few circuits. You still need 2 slots in the main box for a breaker to feed the Reliance panel. The Reliance panel would allow you to run the furnace its own circuit. So would adding a sub panel if your main, like mine, was crowded. I paid about $10 for one that would take 8 circuits. So with some other doodads I had to have, I have no more than about $175 in the whole thing, much less than the Reliance, and I am able to use any circuit in the house.

labman · Oct 19, 2007, 12:54 PM

I forgot ''I'm not sure what you meant by required protection?''

Your furnace, its wiring, and the rest of the circuit are protected by a circuit breaker in case of a short or over load. Plugged into a generator, you have only anything built into the generator. My generator has overloads, but 30 amp or something. My furnace has an additional fuse near it. When I put the new furnace in, I reused the little box from the old one that had a switch and fuse in it, installing it near the new furnace.

I had considered doing just what you are for a number of circuits, but decided it would be inconvenient to use, approach the interlock plate in cost, and be a doubtful set up. Somebody here asked about installing a bunch of double pole switches on the generator feed, workable, but iffy.

With my set up, it would take about 5 - 10 minutes to switch everything, roll the generator out and plug it in, fire it up, an switch things back on. I don't want the fridge, freezer, pump, furnace, lights, etc. all starting up when the generator starts. That is true with any set up.

ceilingfanrepair · Oct 19, 2007, 01:46 PM

Let me ask a question: do you know whether the furnace is wired to the same circuit as the quad outlet?

Carguy9999 · Oct 19, 2007, 02:42 PM

Yes it is

Carguy9999 · Oct 19, 2007, 02:57 PM

Ok I figured out why you asked - yes it is on the same circuit but not the same path. Both the quad box and the furnace come off the light fixture independently.

I'm bad but not that bad :D

ceilingfanrepair · Oct 19, 2007, 04:15 PM

I'm not sure if you know what we mean or not. When you turn off the circuit breaker to the furnace, does the outlet turn off too or stay on? And vice versa?

Carguy9999 · Oct 19, 2007, 04:40 PM

Yes it does

labman · Oct 19, 2007, 07:03 PM

If the furnace works with all the other stuff on the circuit now, chances are it will work if you put a plug on some romex, and plug it in to the same circuit. I won't say it would be a good practice or meet code. You could always add a fuse to protect the furnace and generator from shorts.

If you haven't, I suggest reading through my generator thread. I dug and dug and those were the best ideas I found. Nobody had anything new to add. I lose power, I lose everything, furnace, pump, phone, etc. I studied the options and think I went with what was best for me.