Simple Question: Can I use my current generator (gas/portable) hookup to my box?

[jefro]

100' might be expensive to run a cord I 'd think. That stuff is like gold.

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[hturnerfamily]

the 240v output, with is TWO 120v separate 30amp lines, combined to make 240v output possible, doesn't care whether it is a 'balanced' load, or not, since that is what the NEUTRAL is for. You can have 240v at 20amps running an air conditioner unit, 5amp of 120v power for a fan on one 'side', and 10amps of various other items running from the 'other' side... as long as neither side EXCEEDS the 30amp output capacity of the ProPOWER, it's designed to work just like any other 240v generator or incoming Utility power.

If you DO exceed the power output, it simply recognizes that and shuts down the whole output, until you reset it. Just like any breaker in your home's electric panel that trips - you reset it to restore power.

 

[bobrosco]

I noticed my house came with a transfer switch and a plug outdoors for a generator also so I’ll plan on using it too.

Anyone know where you can get a super long cable for it? Any good online vendors?

The outdoor plug is in the backyard and truck will be in the garage or front driveway. I mean I could drive the truck into the backyard but would rather not . I think I would need a 100ft cord.

My electrician who installed my EV charger said you can make one but not sure I have the skill set for that as I’m not that handy.

RV suppliers (including Amazon) will have pre-made cables and appropriate adapters.

 

[dirtdiver]

Hey
Right now, power goes out and I fire up my generator. It's portable so I have a line from the generator to my house. I plug it in and filp the switch on my box that changes my 'in' from the grid to the generator. Can I do the same with my LR Lariat? That is, just run line from the truck and flip the switch on my box? Does anyone know? I imagine I am not the only one with this setup

I have exactly that set up and that is what I am planning to do. We are ahead of the game with that switch that locks out the power pole.

 

[Solar_EE]

I will wait until I get my Lariat to get excited about the possibility of tapping into the truck battery through the 240volt AC plug in the bed of the truck to power my home instead of using a generator. I have an Eaton back up power receptacle and a UL listed mechanical interlock from Siemens to separate generator power from utility power.
Not being an electrician, I don’t know what happens when I have unequal loads on each 120v side of the 240v power source. Does that mess up the Lightning inverter? Others has speculated but don’t know until we get these trucks. Second, what happens with the GF circuit when attached to my home system that has a neutral line back to the utility power lines as well as a copper grounding bar and a ground connected to my copper water line. Does the Lightning system shut down when connected to my electrical panel? People on this forum have speculated yes and no.
Losing power in the winter is no problem since the snow muffles the sound of my generator and the neighbors windows are closed. In the summer, it’s a different story. I would love for this to work but the cynic in me has doubts.

When will your Lightning arrive? I have similar questions.

 

[hturnerfamily]

I'll be testing my 'whole house' power as one of the first things I do when mine arrives home the first time... I imagine we'll run into issues with the truck's bonded Neutral, but we'll see...

 

[Tony Burgh]

When will your Lightning arrive? I have similar questions.

Sorry, it doesn’t work. Truck circuit trips immediately when connected to breaker panel.

 

[julian]

Did you use a 'generac' type transfer switch?

 

[Nick Gerteis]

Sorry, it doesn’t work. Truck circuit trips immediately when connected to breaker panel.

On the Powerboost forum someone said it will work IF you disconnect the ground in the male plug that you plug into the outlet on the truck. Only neutral and the two hots will be connected. This will bypass the truck’s GFCI tripping. Easy enough to try out. Caution: truck will not be grounded.

 

[julian]

On the Powerboost forum someone said it will work IF you disconnect the ground in the male plug that you plug into the outlet on the truck. Only neutral and the two hots will be connected. This will bypass the truck’s GFCI tripping. Easy enough to try out. Caution: truck will not be grounded.

Thank you... And thank you for trying and posting!

 

[Nick Gerteis]

Thank you... And thank you for trying and posting!

Well I haven’t tried it yet! Haven’t even been able to order the truck yet (reserved during reveal), but I researched this a few months back because I’d love to use the exact same setup at my house. Seems so much easier if you don’t mind flipping the lockout switch the few times a year the power is out for more than a minute.

 

[Tony Burgh]

Well I haven’t tried it yet! Haven’t even been able to order the truck yet (reserved during reveal), but I researched this a few months back because I’d love to use the exact same setup at my house. Seems so much easier if you don’t mind flipping the lockout switch the few times a year the power is out for more than a minute.

I’m sure willing to try with your truck.

 

[julian]

...and his house

 

[Nick Gerteis]

...and his house

How about one out of two? Seriously, I’ll do that and post results here….when ever…I get….my truck. Pretty sure someone will beat me to it , and I’m perfectly happy with that!

 

[julian]

I think I need to buy th transfer switch off amazon for like 400 bucks. My current setup will trip the system like others say. I have a 9500 generator that I could sell that will cover the switch but I'd like to know if it works before I sell the generator. I hate it because it is so loud but it does run my entire house (except for AC).

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