Backup Power

What was billed as "very reliable" power delivery when we first purchased our KnaArrow Haus property has gradually deteriorated into more-frequent-than-we-expected power outages, during both inclement Winter weather as well as during fairer weather. Although all the community power service is all underground and unaffected by rain, wind, or snow, the major feeder lines servicing our community and Stevens Pass are above ground and less impervious to the elements. 

KnArrow Haus survived (thankfully), with flying colors, the 10+ day power outage a couple seasons ago, when Leavenworth received record snowfall and US Hwy 2 was closed both directions over the pass due to snow, ice, wind, fallen trees, and then heavy rain. 

Regardless of the time of year, when we're enjoying KnArrow Haus with friends or family and the power goes out for more than a few hours, I want to smooth out the bump by running lights, Internet, and some selective heat and large appliances.

I bought a dual-fuel generator and two 40-pound propane tanks on wheels to smooth over the inevitable power gaps. At a slight sacrifice to peak power, the propane tanks remove the concer n for old or fouled fuel in between usage.

My friend helped me acquire the necessary provisions and gave me the plan for connecting the generator socket in to the panels. I waited until the weather was warm before shutting off power to the cabin's panels to hook things up. 

Crude schematic for hooking up the generator to both panels

The power panels before hooking up the generator connection

Implementing the schematic required that I move the current circuit breakers from the top right of each panel in order to install 50 Amp circuit breakers for the generator along with the needed shutoff-interlock mechanism. The interlock prevents the generator breakers from being on when the power from the grid is also on.

For all but one circuit breaker, there was enough slack wire in the box to move the breakers without a hassle. However, I had to splice one additional wire on to the septic pump breaker to move it down to the bottom.

One panel showing the 50 Amp generator circuit breaker installed on the top right.

Routing the heavy gauge wires through the top of each panel, stripping, and splicing them took much longer than I planned.  The entire project took 6 hours, mostly because I was purposefully slow, careful and methodical. Translating and implementing a schematic in the real world is always more work, especially for a DIY-er like me. 

The panels with generator circuit breakers and interlocks installed

I also took the opportunity to re-label the chicken scratch on all of the circuits using a label printer. They are much easier to read now. Very pleased with the end results (below). 

New generator with propane tanks and panel plugg-in. 

The next step will be to figure out which combinations of circuits, appliances, and heat can be used successfully when on generator power.