How I power my (nearly) WHOLE HOME with a 120v INVERTER generator during outages!

Years ago I researched home generator setups, and I settled on this economical & practical solution that isn't widely discussed. So, I want to share it with you! As I note in the video, please consult experts including a licensed electrician if you are looking to put together a home generator setup. Further, it is important to do your own research and look up local regulations, codes, ordinances, etc., to make sure that what you are looking to put together is in compliance. Misuse of power generation equipment or anything involving gasoline, electricity, etc., can result in serious injury or death.
EDIT / IMPORTANT NOTE: There are some fantastic comments made by multiple posters that add some great additional information - please read through the comment section and specifically the comment I pinned from ‪@Sylvan_dB‬, the post I wish I could also pin from ‪@m-11‬, and the post from ‪@paultice610‬ - KZbin has a limit of 1 pin per post. If I see other important information shared I'll update this list as I have time. I thought about summarizing the information they shared here but I don't think it would do their posts justice, and also by referencing them if they ever feel the need to update anything, they can do so in their comments.
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
1:13 Reasons I wanted a generator
2:58 Start of discussion for how I chose my setup
3:22 Generator startup (noise demo)
4:48 Technical discussion
9:34 Inlet to house
9:47 Electrical panel
11:04 My thoughts on wattage calculation sites
Equipment and links:
AC Works 30 to 50 amp adapter ($54.99):
www.homedepot.com/p/AC-WORKS-...
AC Works 3 to 4 prong 30 amp adapter ($39.99):
www.homedepot.com/p/AC-WORKS-...
Champion Cord 25 ft 30 amp 250 volt (L14-30P to L14-30R): $67.99
Link: www.amazon.com/Champion-250-V...
Champion cord holder / strap ($14.60)
Magnetic dipstick ($9.98):
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...
Generator:
www.championpowerequipment.co...
This looks to be about the closest currently available - note that this is almost certainly a different model than what I have (and I don't remember what I paid... Home Depot doesn't have a history that goes back far enough for me to see) $655.20:
www.amazon.com/Champion-Power...
Inlet and electrical setup including permits: Around $650 in total (labor cost for electrician included) DO NOTE: My inlet was RIGHT next to the panel inside the house, so that reduced the cost considerably I'm sure.
Justrite gas can ($122 each, so $244 here):
www.amazon.com/Justrite-Galva...
TOTAL: $1,736.75
Note that that doesn't include tax or a few other items you'll need, namely oil for the generator, seafoam for the gas treatment, etc.

[@Sylvan_dB]

The 240v appliances should not be affected by this 120v setup you describe, even if they are not turned off. Because they see both hots, normally they see 240 volt between those two hots. In your generator configuration they will see 0 volts between the hots and will simply not operate. They likely will have some components that operate between a single hot and neutral such as a timer or display. Those will likely continue to operate (and use a small amount of power) so it is better to turn off the 240v breakers, but it is typically harmless if you forget. E.g. my oven clock runs on 120v - single hot to neutral - as do the controls. It looks like it has power and should work. The oven and range can be turned on with the two hots bridged, but they don't produce any heat because the heating elements run between both hots, and when bridged the two hots have a voltage difference of 0 volts. No harm, just not working.

[@TheKenAgain]

Yes...! I remember the electrician I hired (or maybe it was the city inspector...) mentioned something along these very lines, but I didn't want to speak on it as I wasn't sure exactly how that worked. I'm going to pin this comment - thank you very much for sharing and for watching!

[@seymourscagnetti1413]

This was like a puppet hand video, very cool.

[@TheKenAgain]

Haha, now that you mention it, I can totally see that! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@seymourscagnetti1413]

​@@TheKenAgain "No Problemo".........(as Arnold Schwartzman, the actor/governor guy would say). As most people do, I forgot to like the video and sub., done. p.s., If you like puppets (they actually call them "Marionettes"), check the 1960's British TV show: "Thunderbirds". Very cool stuff. Cheers!

[@Ojeramup12]

I use a Honda 2000watt that I can easily carry, plug the doggone electrical connector plug (L5-30R) 125V/3750 and use it to power almost all my 125Volt items in the house.

[@TheKenAgain]

That's awesome! Having this larger unit has made me wonder if I should have gone with a Honda - a smaller one like you describe probably would have suited us fine as well. Seeing as how my vehicles are both Odysseys, I'm a big fan, hah. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@m-11]

Those devise charts with devices and their power requirements have to be carryover from generators from the 1980s. Likely goal is get people to spend more money on a larger generator they don’t need. I use a Craftsman 2500i with a Reliance transfer switch. It’s a 240v transfer switch, but I just tied both sides to the hot of the generator. One additional item to note with those interlocks and transfer switches, you want a floating neutral generator, because the neutral and ground are bonded in the panel. Just about every 120v inverter generator is floating neutral fortunately.

[@TheKenAgain]

I wish I could ping more than one comment - this one deserves a pin too (but I have one pinned already and YT has a 1 pin limit, doh...). I forgot about the floating neutral - VERY good info to include. I'll make a mention of this as an edited add within the description. I agree with you re: the device charts too - I wondered that same thing. When I was doing all of the research for my generator setup, it was so frustrating to see that so many recommendations were made for the bigger units. Seeing people spend money that they don't need to (especially if their finances are tight), well, the ethics aren't great for that at all. I wonder if they're also just assuming *everything* has to be on at the same time, which is ridiculous, especially for major appliances. If that IS needed, then sure, go for the big units that can carry that much load, but even with a large family (6 kiddos) that isn't the reality in my case. And, well, if it isn't for my family's needs, I have a hard time imagining it would be for the majority of others. Thanks for commenting and watching!

[@m-11]

@@TheKenAgain I have one of those Emporia Vue 2, home energy monitors. My furnace needs only 500 starting watts and 200 running watts. Refrigerator only calling for 270 starting and 120 running watts.

[@paultice610]

I have two 3500 W inverter generators that I can parallel to get 50 A at 120 V which is mainly what I do for summertime power outages so I have enough power to run a couple window units, lights and refrigeration and the winter time I can get away with just running one since my furnace is gas and my hot water heater is natural gas. Also it definitely uses a whole lot less fuel than my non-inverter 7000 W generator and the noise difference is is awesome. Went from 78 dB with the non-inverter down to 58 dB with the inverters it’s worth the upgrade

[@TheKenAgain]

I was JUST thinking about the parallel operation...! Question with that: if you have two generators that are capable of that which are 120v gennies, can you actually use 240v appliances / systems? I really like the idea of having two just for backup purposes (backup to the backup, hah). Esp. if you could run 240v systems that'd be sweet. Even if not, you're absolutely right, having more power capability would be awesome. I guess now that I think about it, just one of the 120v inverters would feed into the house (through the same hookup I have, I guess?) and so maybe it would still just be a 120v output... Thanks for commenting and watching! It's got me thinkin'! :)

[@paultice610]

GenMax has inverter technology that allows you to run in parallel or series with their special parallel kit, you can switch between 120 and 240

[@TheKenAgain]

Oh wow, that's awesome! I'll definitely check that out. Thanks so much for sharing!

[@ben99873]

Pretty much echoed all my thought processes and recently installed system

[@TheKenAgain]

Glad to hear I'm not alone and that you came to the same conclusions - thanks so much for watching and commenting! :)