Ok, my house boat is powered by my generac 8500 and will power everything I have on it plus a lot. The problem is my generator is an older unit and doesn't have the ability to throttle back when full load isn't needed, so it sucks fuel. Basic setup to back feed into a 220v panel. We do have 1 220 breaker that will power our 2 ton AC unit, but its not in use at the moment. The rest is 110v breakers. (living room, bedroom 1, bedroom 2, bath, front and back porch, kitchen). In the summer, we have been running our window units until I can get the 2 ton unit set up and ready to go. But ........ durnign hunting season, it just mainly lights, tv and a coffee pot. All of the lights on my camp are LED's so power draw is basically nothing. But my 8500 stills runs WFO!!! I have a Honda 2000 suitcase that we are thinking about using to run during the hunting season being all our heaters are propane. As of right now, I have a 220v plug (male on both ends) from the generator to the 220v female rec on the camp. I have been told, that as long as my 220v breaker (2 ton ac unit) is off, I can back feed the 110v from the Honda into the 220V plug and it will power only 1 leg of the panel.

Now, here is my question, the 110v Honda will only power one leg. I DO NOT want to install a jumper in the panel to tie in both side for fear that I may forget and when I run my big genetaror, I'll fuck something up. I would like to keep it to the cord if possible. So everything "hardwired" will be constant. If I want to run my big generator, use the 220v cord, if I want to run the Honda, grab the modified cord. The only other step will be to turn on/off the AC breaker to the 2 ton, but its not hooked up yet.

So this is my normal set up for the 220v cord.

50amp_receptacle.png

This is what I want to do with the 110 cord to my additional 220v plug

50amp_receptacle for 110v.png

Basically, I'll fool the panel and feed 110v to both sides, but the jumper will be in the plug rather than the panel. Now the amp rating won't double and I won't overload the generator given the items I have. The wire will be rated at more than the allowable amp rating of the generator, so no wire issues. Everything seems to be grounded correctly. Only issue may be when we use coffee pot, but all it will do is trip the circuit breaker on the Honda and that can be reset. Just trying to cover my ass, because I have a very nice set up and don't want any electrical fires or issues. So, any suggestions? Is this right? I know it can be done, but should it be done? Fire away.

I run my camp similar. I ran 2 110v outlets. One on each leg. Make a sucide cord.(2 male 110v plugs on each end). Be careful make sure its plugged in the house side before starting honda. Shut off power going to big genny with a breaker or unplug it before running little the genny.

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Also you have 2 110v plugs to use when the big genny is on.

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It will work. I literally do this same thing. At my deer lease, when I need the AC I bring a 6500 generator. In the winter, I just run lights. I use a 1000w generator and adapter with a jumper exactly like you drew out. You are tieing the two phases of the panel together. It doesn't matter where you do it. Instead of doing it at the panel, you are simply changing the location of the jumper.

Suggestion - build a short pigtail / adapter to use for the Honda. Put a male 120v plug on one end, and a female 240v plug on the other so that you can use the same cord you have setup for your Generac. The plug on your houseboat that you use to back feed - is it twist lock? If not, I recommend changing it to a twist lock. Makes it harder to accidentally unplug and have an energized male plug laying about.

I hold a journeyman electrician license and an engineering degree from Lamar if that helps me get some street cred

Note: You could also hard wire a cord into your camp with a male 240v plug hanging off it. Plug it into your generator supply. That would be a safer setup to use.

Good deal. He'll that Honda 2000 sips fuel.

And they'll run on econo mode when they aren't loaded down. Great little generators.

Thats the main reason we were gonna try it. My houseboat is 30' x 60' and during the summer, no way it could supply the power. But in winter, it'll be quieter and use less fuel.

You gonna burn your shit down with your niggering,Better be careful!

If you are not careful the feed will over heat. That is why the normal 240 is a heavy wire. Reducing the wire size produces heat and you may not know it unti it is too late

Who said anything about reducing wire size? Granted - he may have to use something smaller since it will be hard to terminate anything much bigger than #10 into a 120V cord cap. The breaker on the generator should trip before it every becomes an issues though. Breakers are designed the wire and equipment.

And voltage does not dictate wire size. Amperage does. By increasing your voltage, you can decrease your amperage which allows you to run a smaller conductor.

His drawing shows 6 vs 10. Just saying it isn't done that way normally for a reason.

You could use a regular extension cord, cut the female end off and add a male. Plug in to the generator (Honda) and plug into an outlet. In your panel install a double pole breaker(not the mini) with a jumper. This would energize the the dead side of the panel. In the event you forget to open the breaker and you use the big generator it will trip the double pole breaker(dead short) and convert itself to a 240 panel. Disclaimer... You are setting a trap for someone with all of these options though.

I have an high school diploma if that counts;)


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My way is pretty simple and fool proof. 2 110v outlets(one from each leg. 2 male by male cords plugged in to the genny and the two oulets powering both sides. Just be sure to turn off your main breaker or unplug the main power from the camp.

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I run my camp the same way.

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I do not se an issue with it being you are supplying lighting only power. Large enough wire size, and the appropriate breakers, you will be more than fine man.
Making the jumper you are reducing the total amperage you can use by half because you are feeding both sides of the panel with one leg essentially, But as yo mentioned, the draw is minimal.

Your drawings sure helped get your point across nicely.

Ok update, got with the electrical machinery guys here at Dow. The drawing I have above is exactly how it needs to be. I was told that 10 awg would be overkill, but it's good to have. All wiring in you house is either 12 or 14, except for the larger shit. He also mentioned, which I already knew, that no matter how much amp draw will be there, your still limited to the 2000 watt generator and the amps it will put out. He also stated about any 220 breakers to have them turned off so no cross feed. Which I knew as well. Said it's grounded correctly, and the hot are common, no issues. Would be same as jumper in panel. So I'm gonna get the shit a give it a go.