This is an ONSITE project helping me set up a portable generator at our house. House is in West Bloomfield, Michigan. $1500 is for labor only. All hardware/electronics/switches/travel expenses are on me.
I know I can spend about $10,000 on a 10kW standby Generac. This is "mainstream" approach for truly 24/7/365 standby needs and I already have at least 1 quote.
I am trying to be creative and save $$
Our situation is - we DON'T NEED 365 days standby ability, we need it only during 10-12 days a year! The rest of the year switching manually between utility and generator will be fine (in case of outage). However, these 10-12 days a year are absolutely critical for us and we must have fully automatic switching on and off during these 10-12 days a year.
The idea is that I will buy a dual fuel portable generator, have a plumber connect it to a gas line and then hire YOU to set up automatic transfer switch and any other relays / electronics to enable it to be fully automatic on demand. This is where I need help!
Others have done it. There is a V6 AutoGen controller that can convert a regular portable generator into a fully automatic, and here is an example how someone has done it and he shows that it works!
https://youtu.be/R0HylnjSegs?si=oH50fBVMAVS0h2th
Also, Westinghouse portable generator sells an ATS that outputs 20A. I don't see why not connect it to selected main panel circuits and set it up that way. However, 20A won't be enough for us. But 50A probably will be.
(Example: Westinghouse DuroMax XP13000HXT)
https://westinghouseoutdoorpower.com/collections/transfer-switches/products/st-switch
If I can have 50A input from portable generator to main electrical panel into selected circuits, with fully auto-switching on demand, that would be ideal.
Looking for someone who has done it before, and/or with electro-mechanical controls, power controls, power switching experience.
Willing to fly-in someone from out of state, hotel and expences paid, as long as we meet total cost target.
Goal is to be UNDER $5000 - $7000 MAX including everything - portable generator, Automatic Transfer switch, any additional relay/electronic module, any other supplies, labor ($1500), travel costs.
If total cost of this project is too close to $10,000, then I might as well get a stand-by 10kW Gnerac!
NOTE: We have a typical 2800SF colonial house, 200A main panel, a separate 100A panel for basement only loads - (AC, hot water tanks, furnace)
During outage, at a minimum, MUST have automatic power to 2 refrigerators, 1 freezer, furnace, one oven and a sump pump. This is a must. Everything else would be nice but not necessary.