This Device Allows You To Power Any 110v Appliance During A Power Outage
Вставка
- Опубліковано 6 жов 2024
- EZ Generator Switch: amzn.to/4aiwrBM
All my favorite HVAC tools: www.amazon.com...
#1 Source for HVAC equipment: hvacdirect.com
Use my discount code 1MJTDLG4GM70 for an extra 3% off!
IF YOU ARE IN NEED OF GUIDANCE WITH YOUR HVAC SYSTEM, whether it is diagnosing a bad part, replacing your system, or help with sizing, check out our membership program here: / diyhvacguy
For a low price of $200, you will get assistance from myself when it comes to your hvac needs, whether it's sizing, diagnosing, or locating the correct equipment.
Here Is Where I Order All My Air Filters:
filterbuy.com/...
Follow us for more diy hvac tips & to enter for our giveaways!
Instagram: / diy_hvac_guy
Tiktok: www.tiktok.com...
Facebook: / selfmadehvac
⚠️ Disclaimer:
This video is for educational purposes. Any and all HVAC repair work is done at your own risk. Any person attempting to deal with any type of refrigerant MUST have their EPA 608 certificate. The DIY HVAC Guy channel is not responsible for any possible damages or injuries caused by the use or misuse of the provided information.
The DIY HVAC GUY is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Life saver mate! After two days without power here in Ohio, I'm setting up something like this and this switch is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks!
WAGO lever nuts are great at mixing stranded and solid core wire.
WAGO’s fatal flaw? Is the same wire capture BS as the back-stab BS outlets.
Twist & THEN “wire-nut” is the only [right] way.
@@Casmige
Appreciate both perspectives here. WAGO lever nuts are valued for their ability to securely connect mixed wire types, which can be a big advantage in many situations. As for the concern about the wire capture mechanism, WAGO lever nuts use a different technology than backstab outlets. They have a lever to secure the wire, providing a consistent, strong clamping force that's designed for durability, reusability and safety.
This is quite different from the spring mechanism in backstab connections, which can be more prone to loosening over time. And are single use. While traditional wire nuts require twisting and can be very reliable when installed correctly, WAGO offers an alternative that's quicker and doesn't require twisting, potentially reducing strain and the need to trim the wires when reconnecting. Both methods have their place, and the choice often comes down to the specific requirements of the job and personal preference.
@@Casmige nah bro you living in 1982
@@CasmigeThere are several false statements and assumptions in your post. Number 1 is that Wago 221 Lever Nuts are the same connection as back-stabs on fixtures, which they are not, and thus are not “the same wire capture BS”. Number 2 is that no manufacturer of twist wire nuts requires pre-twisting and NEC code is to install according to manufacturer’s instructions. Therefore your opinion that “Twist and THEN ‘wire nut’ is the only (right) way” is not supported by facts and is in fact, just your opinion.
@@Casmige Wrong! 🤷♂️
Awesome video, anytime you are using a small power source or even solar power or home battery backup the one thing you have to ensure is that if the grid power goes off that electricity does not go back out onto the grid power lines so that the electrical workers that are working downed power lines or a bad transformer are safe and do not get shocked.
I installed one of these at my electric panel which is outside. I love it! The hardest part was trying to figure out the corresponding neutral wire for the furnace circuit as all my wires disappear into the brick behind the panel.
I bought one but then realized I would need to pull a permit to get it installed & inspected. Another $80. I instead just added a connector inside my furnace that is discreet & that I can tie my inverter into. I use a 2200 watt inverter & connected the neutral & ground at the inverter to elimate the floating ground. A power strip also allows me to power the freezer in the garage or any other appliance with a extension cord.
Thanks for a great video! I installed one of those on my boiler thanks to one of your videos and now have heat when the power goes out. 😊
Seems fairly straight forward. I’m curious how many watts that gas furnace draws when running? Blower motor and all.
Around 550 watts
It's surprisingly little.
I just installed one of these and I love it, but instead of getting my generator out to test the switch I just ran an extension cord from my sump pump since that plug was still hot. I have my generator running like a top so I know everything’s ready for a power outage. But if I hadn’t seen one of your previous videos I never would’ve known this product existed. I thought about using the cheaper method of wiring a cord to the furnace but I needed something my wife could easily understand 😊 Thanks for your videos!
You should actually test it with the generator . You don’t want to find out a floating vs grounded bond issue in an emergency !
Test ahead of time .
@@josephpadula2283 whats a floating vs grounded issue??
The last utility supplied 110 volt service ended in 1967. All of the US and Canada use 120/240 for single phase.
More specifically it's split phase 240V.
Just a heads up. A lot of newer high efficiency furnaces will require you to convert the EZ generator switch to floating nuetral if the generator/battery power station is floating nuetral. There are instructions to do so included with the kit.
If it is set up as bonded neutral, the furnace most likely wont turn on. Almost all battery backups like Ecoflow, as well many inverter generators are set up as floating nuetral as opposed to bonded. 👍
Interesting, because when i run furnace according to Daves instructions with either a Delta2 or a DeltaPro, the heat will come on and shut off appropriately, but the blower never shuts off! Its an Ecobee thermostat on a 3 year old RUUD furnace. Any ideas?
@@rw4669 I would think it would have to be related if the fan shuts off normally when running from the grid.
whats related? The bonding vs floating wiring issue? You mean, try different wiring arrangement? And yes, all's normal on grid power.@@simonm21
Thanks. But, whats related? The bonding vs floating wiring issue? And yes, all's normal on grid power.@@simonm21
You need to bond (connect) the neutral & common if using a portable inverter. You can do this at the inverter. Amazon sells already made up plugs. Your inverter has a floating ground most likely.
I think your video caused the switch to become sold out! Right now only available direct from the company website.
gonna put one on my gas heater as soon as I can get one. Thanks for the video!
You can also solder the stranded wire before attaching and applying wire nut...
Would love a link for that “hot pen.” I checked your Amazon store and didn’t see. Helpful tools like that are what we all need. Thanks for sharing your knowledge! 😊
As I understand, if you are powering a fixed appliance, like a furnace, then you should be wiring as floating neutral. Batteries and small generators are floating neutral. This means the white and ground are from your main panel of the house. If you do bonded, like in this video, then you better be sure your generator is Bonded neutral. Battery generators are floating by default.
Thanks for Amazon item promotional How come Electricians don't do this? Or even know this?
This is pretty cool, but I just ended up cutting the romex to my hvac and adding a receptacle on the breaker side, and a male plug on the furnace side. During normal operation, the furnace is simply plugged into the receptacle, completing the original circuit, but during a power outage, I can unplug the furnace and plug it into an extension cord going to my generator.
That's the best and cheapest way
I always learn something great from your videos. I will be installing one on my sump pump soon! Quick question when regular power returns and you're still running the generator you shouldn't have an issue because that power won't be able to reach the furnace because you have the switch in generator mode, is that correct?
Correct. This is a small transfer switch, think of it as the letter Y. The bottom leg would be your pump, one of the top legs is the grid connection, the other leg is the generator connection. When the rocker switch is in the generator position, the grid leg is disconnected. When the switch is in the normal position, the generator leg is now disconnected. This way you cannot back feed the grid, nor can the grid back feed your generator when the grid is restored. In the center off position, both legs are disconnected, and your pump is off.
Another great review. Thank you for sharing a way top power our most important equipment.
You don’t need a neutral bonding plug?
This is a great project and I plan to do this or a transfer switch. Why not use lever nuts instead of wire nuts? Especially when connecting solid to stranded wire.
Don't forget to hook up other stuff like condensate pumps and other auxiliary items and such to the switched power also....
Great video! Could you do a short video on how to install a furnace stand box?
The 15 amp circuit breaker makes it illegal to use in most municipalities. You cannot tandem fuse a circuit. The breaker must be smaller than the over current protection of the circuit provided by the load center. It would never pass inspection.
The circuit breaker in the EZ generator switch is not used when the switch is in Normal position. Only when the switch is in Generator position, and in that case, the normal breaker in your main panel is not being used.
Can you show how to do a floating neutral hook up for owners of floating neutral generator such as Eco Flow?
Much better video with clear instructions. Thanks!
Thanks for making this video. This is a really useful option!
Is there a 240v version?
Running a plug out of your furnace (like you've shown before) is so much simpler. Unplug from the outlet, lug into your generator.
Or just go directly to your circuit board so you won't get questions from a inspector later.
Yes but this is technically up to code and has a couple other safety features which some prefer
I watched your video with great interest. I realized I need this connection for my gas heating system. I went over and looked at my appliance. It doesn’t have a switch. The power is simply just hard wired into the appliance. I’m guessing I can open the conduit and simply splice and add this switch right into the power going in?
Dave, in other videos, you have links to various Ecoflow products. For those who have 2 Delta Pro's & their Volt Hub to get 240v house backup, there seems to be a problem with the batteries drawing down at very uneven rates, so one dies way before another, hence ending the "whole house" backup function within a couple of hours. Apparently, the discharge is unbalanced because each pro is supplying power to each leg of the panel. So if 1 leg is pulling power, and the other isn't, 1 will discharge faster than the other. Did you find/hear of this, and what would be the fix!?
Just convert your furnace into a plug in furnace, replace the switch box with a switch/outlet one
I still don't get it. Per NEC requirements, a cord and plug approach meets code. This costs 5x more just for materials.
Excellent video, Thanks
Would it be okay to run an extension cord from the main floor to the basement to make this work?
Can you show how to do a floating neutral hook up? All you ever show it bonded. Thanks
I tested this with my floating neutral power station as you saw and it works great.
Yea but that's not the way they want it to be done and no one on UA-cam ever show's their way.
By the way I like you channel. Thanks.@@diyhvacguy
@@rickvb2709 They will show you how on the EZ Generator Switch YT channel
@@rickvb2709I bought a plug on Amazon. Its just a plug that internally has the neutral & gnd contacts connected. Make one or buy one. Mine plugs in at the other outlet on my inverter as both outlets are connected internally.
You could just splice a 110 cord to the power cord of the furnace then plug in power station direct temporarily this would only cost $15
That would work, however, this is a UL listed and code-approved device, your rigged cord is not. It's the homeowners choice.
@@lpnelson6584 In our area I learned I would need to pull a permit to install the switch & have it inspected. I went with just pulling the hi/lo wires off of the control board & powering my furnace directly until power is retored.
Don’t forget to make sure condensate pump has power
This is what your suppose to be doing full time !
So when your house power comes back on you need to go down to your furnace and switch it back from the power station to home power, right?
Yes, just make sure the furnace isn’t running when you switch it back, let it finish it’s cycle
Appreciate your content!
Of course, this requires you to own, and be able to use, a generator of some sort that can develop enough AC current to power your appliance.
$300 on Amazon. 2200 W inverter will do it. Honda's are $800+.
@@darrylstevens2556 Which means, by extension, that this is not an option for any apartment dwellers or anyone who lives in urban locations (which means about 95% of the population of the USA).
Those same people also cannot avail themselves of solar/photovoltaic or wind or water power. They're just horked.
Me, I just hung a 240V outlet next to my breaker panel and connected a plug to the subpanel that supplies all my important loads. That same plug fits the heavy 240V extension cord that comes from my generator. When I run the generator (which is really pretty small), it powers all my important loads all at the same time. Very easy to connect, uses 100% cheap standard parts, and it's impossible for the generator to backfeed the power lines.
Do you use Wago nuts on something like this ?
I wish they still made the meters that had the plug in the side of it. It was genius… I guess they just don’t want us having it
Always great videos. The Amazon link doesnt seem to work for the switch. I installed one of these for my old house and will be getting one for the new house as well.
Link is fixed. Sorry about that!
Why did you add an additional 2-gang j-box vs. just swapping out the single-gang j-box for the 2-gang?
Great video, as usual.
Could you show how to do this to a sump pump? But somehow put this device in a wall or replace an outlet upstairs that would work the sump pump (to have easy access to make the pump work when the powers out.)
The sump has a separate power cord that you would just plug into an alternate power source
@@williamweaver7783 yes but when you’re old and that sump pump connection is in a low crawl space it’d be nice to have an easier way to connect it to that alternate power source
@@sharpshooterofky I can appreciate that, so you'd have to have that cord in a place that's more accessible in the first place because you'd still have to go in the crawl space to access it
Thanks for the content.
Hmm, interesting. You used the instructions for a bonded neutral, yet you're using what looks like an Ecoflow solar generator which I'm pretty sure has a floating neutral. Just confirming. Why wouldn't you have used the floating neutral instructions? Thanks.
Please get electrical permits as well.
Your getting better looking every day!
i might be able to retire some day cause of you.
How long would the power station run and how many watts does the furnace require?
So if someone accidentally flips the switch to Generator mode, but there is no plug on the prongs, is it possible there will be a live load on the prongs?
Nope. That switch is three position.
No, the prongs will never be live
Great video. Thanks. Do they make such a device to work with a 3 ton a/c unit? (240v)? This would make it easier to run one generator as a stand alone for the generator and another generator for your panel with an interlock.
Research “Soft-start” for A/C on a back-up generator.
That’s legit. I’m guessing that plug isn’t hot during normal operation? I can’t imagine it would be.
Nope 👍🏼
125 vac has been to std. line voltage for 40+ years, not 110v and old 1950's standard
Do any of these switches have a built-in capacitor to reduce THD?
Thanks again 😊
Could you possible help me? After watching your videos I got some ideas. How can I power my hvac fan with solar? I live in Texas is hot in the summer but also to just run the circulate feature on my thermostat. I have gas heat so hooking that fan up solar incase the power goes out still give me heat do I follow those videos and if so so could you tag me in the ones I need to follow? The electic priced where I live are insane so anythign would help unless it has to be either one or the other like I have to run electric anyway or is there a bypass switch or something?
Is there any reason that this wouldn't work with an oil furnace?
Okay, but my furnace switch is in-wall. How do i install it in that instance?
I just had my ancient 80 amp service with no main breaker , legal in 1960’s If fewer than 6 circuit breakers , upgraded to modern 200 amp system . Did not rewire the whole house only added a few dedicated lines for furnace sump pump etc . Romex had no ground so I have a lot of GFI’s , but not for furnace .
I had the electricians install a dedicated breaker and outlet to the 80% horizontal gas furnace , no Ac , in the crawl space .
The furnace will not work, fans work but will not light!
Electrician checked outlet for proper polarity and good ground . I had to replug into the old ungrounded outlet to get it to work.
Any idea what is wrong and how to fix it ?
Original panel is now a sub panel .
Good video.
how do you hook this up to a gas pack located outside with no power switch. 20 years old??????
What’s the difference between the outlet method you showed in previous videos?
I think some furnaces are hardwired in and don’t have a plug. I’d guess this isn’t needed if you have a plug that can plug into your power station.
Will the generator also power the circulator pumps for baseboard heating?
Yes if your generator can put out enough watts. My boiler and circulator pump draw 220 watts. Notw that about 20 amps draw on a 12 volt deep cycle battery if you are running your boiler and pump off a battery with a high efficiency inverter.
I want one. Thanks
Nice job...
Would this work on a 115v mini split?
I just had an electrician quote me $805 to install this!
Wow, do it yourself bro 🤘🏼
@@diyhvacguy That was my plan, to connect my EF Delta Pro to it so I would at least have heat in a power outage. But I may just hold off until I get a second DP + Dual Voltage Hub & connect those to a Reliance 6 or 10 breaker MTS. Those MTS panels seem pretty straight forward to wire to main panel also. Plus, I’ve learned so much from your videos also - really appreciate you & your videos!
I noticed the breaker on the generator switch, should that get weak or fail is it replaceable?
A UL listed breaker doesn't just "get weak" and shouldn't fail unless exposed to fault current exceeding its listing...unless they've been run too hot or have been exposed to water or excessive vibration/impact
Great video. My electrical knowledge: It's fast and it doesn't give a phuck who you are. It's non-denominational.
Is a heat pump 110 or 220v, is this possible on electric heaters? My house pops fuses from the 50s if i run a electric fireplace.
I'd recommend an electrician in your case. If you're still running and popping Edison fuses, you're overloading your wiring and that's a fire waiting to happen
If you still have fuses, you need to upgrade.
you could make one of these for a fraction of $100.
Lol. No.
Just looked these up. They go from $100 to over $150 depending where you shop.
You can make one yourself with a double box, light switch, and male plug recepticle for like $25.
Grossly overpriced for what it is to be honest.
There aren't any 110v appliances anymore and hasn't been for 75 years.
Haha ok
An HVAC contractor told me not to run my furnace on a generator because it could damage the circuit board due to voltage spikes and similar. Is there any truth to this?
"Genius", really?
This device DOES NOT allow you to power any 110 volt device during a power outage!! That is a bold faced lie!!! It's only a plug to allow you to plug in a GENERATOR to power your device!!!
The GENERATOR allows you to power any 110 volt device!!!