GenerLink Transfer Switch Compatible With 240V Pro Power Onboard Outlet -- Ford Announcement

[flyct]

I was able to order the Ford Cable alone, said 1-2 weeks to ship but I'll warm up my multimeter...

@UFLightning

What power utility do you have? FPL or otherwise? Are you in Jupiter? with a Sarasota address they rejected my order stating: “GenerLink is not approved by your utility company"

We have FPL and I could not order the Ford Cable. I thought Jupiter was all FP&L.

Please report back when you check out the cable with the multimeter.

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[OregonMike]

I'll have mine tomorrow and will verify as well, but here's a reddit thread where other folks have already checked:

 

[Lake Placid Lightning]

I'll have mine tomorrow and will verify as well, but here's a reddit thread where other folks have already checked:

Here's what the guy said on Reddit who checked continuity on the short cable:

All 3 other pins have continuity, ground does not.

 

[Lake Placid Lightning]

If you have an existing generator cable with NEMA L14-30P and L14-30R connectors, you can cut off one end and attach a similar adapter connector on one end (without the ground connected) and it will cost you $30 or less from a big box hardware store.

I did this about a year ago and keep the generator cable in my frunk so it can only be used with my Lightning.

 

[MattVT]

I did this about a year ago and keep the generator cable in my frunk so it can only be used with my Lightning.

That's exactly where mine lives too for the same reason.

While I and many others are comfortable with the DIY route, I can understand and appreciate why others may not be, but having a single central resource explaining the options might be worthwhile.

I do wonder whether it would be valuable on the forums to sticky a post on this that includes:

1. An explanation of the issue and what is required
2. Instructions and a BOM (perhaps even with links to HD / Amazon / wherever) for building a DIY adapter
3. Instructions for how / where to buy this off-the-shelf connector if that's your preference

Maybe this already exists.

 

[Lake Placid Lightning]

That's exactly where mine lives too for the same reason.

While I and many others are comfortable with the DIY route, I can understand and appreciate why others may not be, but having a single central resource explaining the options might be worthwhile.

In another thread, others suggested disconnecting the ground in the transfer switch so the house could be powered with the Lightning. That was a no-go for me in case I was away with my Lightning and the power went out. I would never forgive myself if my wife or adult child attempted to hook up the transfer switch (with the ground wire disconnected) to a gas generator.

 

[flyct]

If you have an existing generator cable with NEMA L14-30P and L14-30R connectors, you can cut off one end and attach a similar adapter connector on one end (without the ground connected) and it will cost you $30 or less from a box box hardware store.

I did this about a year ago and keep the generator cable in my frunk so it can only be used with my Lightning.

My custom cable lives in my Lightning in the swing out box. I have another standard cable looped over the gas generator.

The custom cable is a 10/3 SJOOW https://www.homedepot.com/p/Southwi...e-Portable-Power-SOOW-Cord-55809799/204632922 probably 40 feet long. Only 3 wires and very flexible.

In another thread, others suggested disconnecting the ground in the transfer switch so the house could be powered with the Lightning. That was a no-go for me in case I was away with my Lightning and the power went out. I would never forgive myself if my wife or adult child attempted to hook up the transfer switch (with the ground wire disconnected) to a gas generator.

I agree. That is why I refuse to modify the house generator inlet and interlock and have ground connected.

If I am not home and wife, adult child or neighbor needs to power the house with the gas generator they can’t miss the cable draped on the generator.

Here is a picture of my custom cable stored in the Ford swing out case in the back of my Lightning. I bought the case with Ford Points

 

[RickLightning]

For converting the truck's 14-30 to a 50amp generator receptacle:

- buy this cable - https://amzn.to/4fHydQS
- buy this adapter, cut off the ground, label it and keep it with the Lightning - https://amzn.to/4pLjMj9

For using a 30amp generator receptacle, you could buy the same cord and cut off the ground.

 

[UFLightning]

@UFLightning

What power utility do you have? FPL or otherwise? Are you in Jupiter? with a Sarasota address they rejected my order stating: “GenerLink is not approved by your utility company"

We have FPL and I could not order the Ford Cable. I thought Jupiter was all FP&L.

Please report back when you check out the cable with the multimeter.

I am in Jupiter and have FPL as well. When I entered my address the site did give me a message that FPL had not approved the meter mounted solution, but I could order the "meter-adjacent" solution. Then I was able to order the cable without issue.

 

[Maineiac12]

My order for the cable shipped! They reached out to confirm which utility company I had so I told them the name of an approved company in my zip code. It’s odd that they care about that for shipping just the cable. I get restrictions for the actual system, but a cable?

 

[OregonMike]

I didn't test last night but I did this morning. The ground is definitely not connected on the Ford adapter from Generlink.

The entire install process took less than 5 minutes. Power company didn't charge for the dude to come out, pull the meter off, push the Generlink on, put the meter back on. All the electrician did was use a tap system to pierce the ground wire inside the meter. That was it. The power guy made the bullet connection between what the electrician tapped and what was on the Generlink.

I would have been 100% comfortable doing the install without $300 worth of electrician time/parts.

Not sure if the power company would go for that though.

 

[UFLightning]

Received the cable today, as suspected the ground is lifted.

 

[RickLightning]

$100 cable, or a $25 adapter. Your choice.

 

[flyct]

$100 cable, or a $25 adapter. Your choice.

The delta between modifying a standard cable and using a Ford Adaptor cable small.

Here is my personal perspective, the difference is only about the cost of 20 gallons of gas at today’s price. It’s a nit when you compare it to a truck that has an MSRP between $60,000-$90,000. Last time I filled up my Diesel Ford truck it cost over $200.

The custom cable I currently use to provide power to my house, using the Generator inlet, is 20+ years old. While it works great I am seriously considering ordering the official Ford adaptor cable and using it with my standard 30-amp gas generator cable. I just wish I could use my Ford Pass points to buy the cable.

It’s nice that there is an official approved solution blessed by Ford and multiple power utility companies. It puts to rest the argument that being the Ford is a Separately Derived System, by disconnecting the ground is unsafe and against code.

 

[RickLightning]

The delta between modifying a standard cable and using a Ford Adaptor cable small.

Here is my personal perspective, the difference is only about the cost of 20 gallons of gas at today’s price. It’s a nit when you compare it to a truck that has an MSRP between $60,000-$90,000. Last time I filled up my Diesel Ford truck it cost over $200.

The custom cable I currently use to provide power to my house, using the Generator inlet, is 20+ years old. While it works great I am seriously considering ordering the official Ford adaptor cable and using it with my standard 30-amp gas generator cable. I just wish I could use my Ford Pass points to buy the cable.

It’s nice that there is an official approved solution blessed by Ford and multiple power utility companies. It puts to rest the argument that being the Ford is a Separately Derived System, by disconnecting the ground is unsafe and against code.

I bought a 50 ft cable for just under $100 that came with a generator in house box. I then modified a $24.99 plug, instead of a $100 Ford pigtail.

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