Generator Question

Miniroller

Hi , i don't know if you answer homeowner questions here but i'll try anyhows- I have a generator left over from some camp jobs i did and i want to try and get it to power my furnace in the event of power disruption. The generator is a honda 2000i and my furnace is a high eff with a pump. Do I have to go thru the whole transfer switch process or is there a way to make it so i can just use an extension cord- wire in plugs. This is the only electrical appliance i care to use with generator. Any answers would be appreciated for i am sure paint and wires dont mix well.

mdshunk

Some installers put cords on their furnaces and plug them in. You can do that too. Then, you'd just unplug it from the house receptacle and plug it into your generator upon power failure. Be advised that the electronics in some modern furnaces will go nuts when you run them off a cheap generator. You might want to try to run your furnace off the generator you propose to use before you have a power failure, to see how it works out.

Sparky Joe

Would that method also replace the disconnect switch(toggle switch) for the furnace?

72chevy4x4

do you know the voltage/current requirements?

Don't bypass the furnace disconnect switch-it's there for another reason. Might make sense to place the new receptacle and cord between the furnace and furnace switch (what's the name of this?).

Sparky Joe

The reason for the switch is to disconnect power. Unplugging a cord is another means of disconnecting power.

What is the "other" reason for the switch on your furnace?

A switched receptacle

The voltage would be 120, same as any other, and current would be minimal being that it's not required dedicated. Any generator would run this load

Speedy Petey

Be careful with that statement.
Have you ever used a 2000i Honda, or any other really small unit?
This is a furnace, not a boiler. The fan motor may be quite large.

The 2000i has a hard time starting a circular saw.

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