Keeping the Power On Safely and Easily with the GenerLink Transfer Switch

[@derricklawrence3185]

Great video. I just purchased one three weeks ago, but have not had time to test it. My power company installed it for free. Which was great.

[@popsxbox]

Getting one if my municipality approves these switching systems. Getting a generator also. ERCOT already crying wolf here in Texas!

[@Random-rt5ec]

Excellent video - The GenerLink looks like a great product. Living in Massachusetts I would be inclined to invest in a remote start capable generator & permanently connect it to the GenerLink during the winter months. With this if I was away my wife could easily restore power just by pressing a button on the remote.

[@TheFamilyFarmOn42]

That's a great idea! Thanks for watching!

[@jenno0992]

Very cool! We need to invest in a system like this!

[@WAlex-gh1hf]

Nice detailed video. Thanks for the information.

[@simul8guy75]

Great video! The Generlink is NOT an "automatic" transfer switch. If it were it would automatically switch back to utility power when it is restored. That is not the case. Once the Generlink power cord is connected to the Generlink and it senses voltage from a generator, utility power is locked out until the generator is shutdown. The actual first step before connecting the generator to the Generlink and starting it up is to open all of the individual breakers on your breaker panel (but NOT the main breaker at the top of the panel). You need to identify which of the individual breaker loads you intend to utilize ahead of time. In your case you have a large generator that can probably easily run most loads in the house (with the exception of 240V loads like your electric range and your clothes dryer, and possibly your electric water heater). For those that have a smaller generator, evaluating which breaker loads you intend to use on the generator is essential to keep from overloading the generator. Once the generator is running you should close each breaker in your panel one at a time and allow the generator a short time to adjust to each increase in load.

[@ronmurphy6437]

Do you mean, turn off all breakers including the main, start the generator, then leave the main off and turn on the ones you plan to use?

[@TheSeanBampton]

@@ronmurphy6437 When you open a breaker, that means to turn it off. Turn off all your breakers EXCEPT the main breaker, then turn on (aka close the breaker) individually, the ones you want to use. This can be a mix and match of varying circuits up the max RUNNING wattage of your generator, although running at the max all the time isn't advised.

[@michaelpoczynek]

Good stuff. Good info. THANKS!!!! 😀

[@B757767Driver]

Since I have natural gas, I also did the natural gas conversion. It is now a tri-fuel generator.

[@stephengass6067]

You have the same setup as me that things a beast been lucky so far haven't had to use it but once a year I hook up to the house and run it. I run a little 5k btu wall unit in bedroom works great.

[@stephengass6067]

I have a gen tent to protect it if its raining.

[@TheFamilyFarmOn42]

Yes, it's a great system! I bought the 40' cord so my generator can sit in my woodshed, out of the elements. Thanks for the good feedback and for watching!

[@summerlakephotog8239]

I thought you were supposed to switch off the breakers, turn on the generator, and then switch your breakers back on. Also if you have a load that’s greater than 12,000 watts, can’t you leave some breakers off? I’m assuming you have a well pump which would be essential along with blowers, etc. What if you have an overload? Does it just trip a breaker?

[@simul8guy75]

You are.

[@rave2173]

While powering house with generator does the main at the panel stay on or off ?

[@TheSeanBampton]

The main circuit breaker stays on, otherwise you won't get any power from the generator. All other breakers are turned off, and then turned on individually as you want to use a circuit. I would leave the fridge on, and possibly a hot water heater (roughly 4000 watts alone), then mix and match as you need circuits. It's a bit of a trial-and-error on what you want to run, but if you have a 40 gal hot water tank, you can run that circuit to heat the tank, take a shower, and then turn off that circuit to save that 4000 watt draw on your generator, to use it for something else. In the winter, if you need to run space heaters, each one of those can be 1200 watts or higher, so keep that in mind as well.

[@rave2173]

@@TheSeanBampton Thank You

[@PIANOBARN]

is the Gener Link a 50 amp?

[@glenkirk4091]

I like it!

[@bigpardner]

So what happens? Plugging in the cable serves to disconnect the incoming power lines?

[@TheFamilyFarmOn42]

Yes, when the GenerLink sense's power from an alternative source (your generator) it automatically switches off the Utility power connection. This way your generator doesn't backfeed power down the line. As soon as the Utility power is restored, the GenerLink automatically switches back and disconnects power from the generator. I hope this answers your question. Thanks for watching!

[@simul8guy75]

@@TheFamilyFarmOn42 Actually that's not correct as I explained above. That's why the Generlink can now be purchased with a Bluetooth connection. The only way you know that utility power is back on (besides seeing your neighbors lights come back on) is to locally check the status lights on the bottom of the Generlink behind the plug. The Green light indicates that utility power is available. The Blue light indicates that power is being provided by the generator. The Generlink will NOT automatically switch back to utility power. That will only happen when the generator is shutdown and the Generlink plug is removed from the receptacle. It's a safety interlock.

[@moderndaycaveman2519]

I’m guessing everyone on here is from Texas 😂 like me

[@davidm7824]

no, Illinois. we get ice storms in winter and bad thunder storms in spring, summer and fall.

[@kmacradio]

Nope, I'm from Oregon. We lost power too, as did many other states.

[@TheFamilyFarmOn42]

I'm right next door in Indiana! I don't think it matters where you are, we all deal with power outages from time to time. It's always best to be prepared. Thanks so much for watching!

[@agoodgurl2k]

YUP...again...almost a whole year later. Trying to be better prepared for ourselves.

[@josephpuchel6497]

Hey very nice video. I don’t mind using those gas generators but I think diesel generators are the way to go. Diesel has more advantages.

[@howtodave1725]

cummings makes a tir fuel 20kwh generator diesel/lg/lp.

[@ohdirtracer]

Where are you in Indiana and what power company do you have? We are North of Anderson.

[@jimb6017]

Won’t allow these in PA

[@TheFamilyFarmOn42]

There are certain utilities that won't allow these. Duke energy is one that I know of.

[@moderndaycaveman2519]

I know you said it was $750 but was that for the Generlink unit only or for the unit and install together ??

[@TheFamilyFarmOn42]

My utility company did the install for free. Yours might too. Thanks for watching!

[@sampon597]

Sound too good to be affordable! How much is the Generlink?

[@TheSeanBampton]

Google, or call your local electric company.

[@christopherperry1118]

How much was it

[@TheFamilyFarmOn42]

I paid right at $750 including the 40' 50 amp cord. Thanks for watching!

[@RichardT123456789]

Hello , nice idea .. how much did this cost ? Did the power company install it for you ? Thanks

[@simul8guy75]

You can purchase a Generlink directly from the manufacturer Global Power Products in Georgia. It's $625 for the 30 amp model with surge protection and a 20 foot power cord. You can add a Bluetooth module to the Generlink for $75 more. The 40 amp model as described in this video with the longer power cord is a bit more (I believe the video creator said $750)

[@RobertViani]

That was a score $700+ for that generator.

[@Chickennss]

Not many utilities allow this device.

[@TheFamilyFarmOn42]

I can't imagine why. It's a great option for quick and safe generator power to your home. Thanks for watching!

[@simul8guy75]

It is very utility dependent. Mone does but the utility that provides power a few towns over does not. No rhyme nor reason that I can figure out.

[@kmacradio]

Generlink only offers 30 or 40 amp Generlinks so how does a 50 amp cord come into play? 2:16 - Having the power company install it for free was a nice bonus! I don't believe that PGE here in Oregon, would do that for free! [UPDATE] They wont even allow the Generlink (or any other equipment) to be connected to their meters. I plan on running a Westinghouse 12,500 peak watt / 9,500 running watt dual fuel portable generator, off of a 420 pound propane tank that holds 100 gallons of propane along with the Generlink switch. My grand total will come to about $3,000.00 Now, you can purchase a 10,000 running watt Generac automatic standby generator with a 16 circuit transfer switch for that same $3,000.00, but that doesn't include installation. If it did, I'd definitely go with the Generac automatic standby generator. I chose propane as the fuel source because even though it offers about 10% less power, it burns cleaner and a 420 pound propane tank filled with 100 gallons of propane will provide me with about 3,500 running watts, 24 hours a day, for about a week, without having to refuel. No running back and fourth to a gas station on icy roads to buy gas. You can store gasoline for a period of time if you add a stabilizer but even then, that gasoline wont stay good forever, whereas you "can" store propane, virtually forever without any fuel degradation at all. I chose the 420 pound 100 gallon tank because it can be installed right up against a building and near the property line. If you have a tank that is larger than 125 gallons, it has to be installed at least 10 feet from any building and at least 10 feet from any property line. That didn't work for me at my home. Also, you can pigtail 2 tanks together if you want 200 gallons, which equals the 250 gallon tank size filled to 80% capacity.

[@TheFamilyFarmOn42]

Sounds like you've done a lot of homework!! I gave GenerLink the make and model of my generator and they matched me up with the transfer switch and cord. When I spoke with the engineer at my rural electric co-op, he stated that they're happy to do the install because it protects their lineman, he wished more people would make the investment. Most important thing is keeping the power on, safely. Thanks so much for watching and for the great feedback!!

[@kmacradio]

@@TheFamilyFarmOn42 I contacted PGE in Oregon and they said they do not allow the Generlink or any other product to be connected to their equipment, so now I have to go with the 50 AMP power inlet box and an interlock device.

[@TheFamilyFarmOn42]

@@kmacradio that's interesting. Here I own my meter base but it's the utilities meter. Thanks for the update!

[@TOURMANBOB]

@@TheFamilyFarmOn42 Wow, I am having the Generlink installed on my home this week here in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and I WISH those prices applied here. Ottawa Hydro have raped me with an electrical permit for $388 for 10 minutes work, and the 30 amp unit with surge protection plus 20 foot cords sells for $2200 installed by an electrician. But coupled with the superb Honda EU6500is generator unit, I will be even better prepared for the next power outage. The last one in May of this year lasted four days and I used the Honda for a total of 60 hours at $2 an hour for fuel (through a Reliance 10 unit transfer switch which ended up being too restrictive for me). Damage from the storm cost the city $875 million dollars, with damage to over 680 power poles and the electrical grid. So I have to look at this like insurance. Most insurance you never need and end up essentially getting nothing of substance for it. At least I get the Generlink added to the home even if I never have to use it (but that's what I said last time the power went out....) My ole daddy said once to me before he died..."when rape is inevitable, lay back and enjoy it". Horrible saying really, but applicable in my case here with the local utility

[@ride4kix]

Be careful running the generator close to your house vents.

[@TheFamilyFarmOn42]

You're right! I usually run the generator from my woodshed but shot the video next to the house to block me from the weather. Thanks for your input and for watching!!

[@TOURMANBOB]

Hmmm....I don't think that large generator is an inverter generator so you best not be using any modern appliances nor any kind of computers while running it, or you risk destroying them with "dirty power"

[@simul8guy75]

That's probably true. That's why I have UPS's feeding all of my electronics. They act as power conditioners. A laptop computer with a battery should also be OK.

[@TOURMANBOB]

@@simul8guy75 Yes, the UPS should help but I wouldn't count on the battery in a laptop as being useful for that purpose. You might want to plug the laptop into the UPS during those times when you are running unregulated power.

[@simul8guy75]

@@TOURMANBOB Good point Robert. I have three Cyberpower UPS units so plugging a laptop into one of them wouldn't be a problem.

[@tdveite09]

Generlink sells units with and without surge suppressors. I just ordered the model with a surge suppressor. I also have UPS units.

[@TOURMANBOB]

@@tdveite09 Yes, I think that is wise just to protect the whole house in case of a massive power surge caused by such things as the power itself coming back on, or lightning strike. Only a couple of hundred bucks extra and worth it to protec the house at all times.