Subj : PoE Window Passthroug To : Ky Moffet From : Barry Martin Date : Tue Dec 30 2025 07:35:00 Hi Ky! > KM> Huh. I wonder what my sister's system did different, being it's > KM> so seamless. It wasn't terribly expensive, but it handles a big > KM> house. > The only thing I can think of is it's a constantly running generator, > but would seem like hear the generator. OTOH if the electricity- > generating device (so like the alternator in a car?) was constantly > running and on a flywheel when the street power failed the (alternator) > could immediately take over and maintain enough output until the > generator itself (the big unit) kicked in. ...Probably another of my > Rube Goldberg ideas. KM> No idea. I know it doesn't run continuously. However, it works KM> well enough that come the day, I'll be looking at the same setup. Definitely! LIS I'm not going to swap my generator out but it would be interesting to know how that almost-seamless transfer is done. > In hindsight I would have 'interviewed' the dealer also. Going with > Lowe's possibly was better as originally purchased a 13KW unit, got a > call from the salesperson a day or two later the 16KW unit was on sale > for $90 more (total - not per month) so got that one. KM> It's going to cost enough to rewire the house that whatever KM> backup power costs is a trivial afterthought... so will go with KM> the proven commodity. Yes. Here the rewiring was done a litle over 20 years ago when the Master Bedroom addition was done. Generator's only about four years old. > KM> The main breaker box is in the back porch, so that's where it > KM> would tie in. > Makes sense, though also depends on where the generator is placed: has > to be a certain number of feet away from windows (and probably doors). > If there hadn't been a semi-solid privacy wall on the porch above where > the generator is here the generator may have had to be placed elsewhere. > (Though here may have been easier and cheaper to build that wall if it > hadn't already existed!) > ..Reason is the exhaust fumes. Right. And simply closing the window when the generator is on doesn't hold up. KM> If it exhausts directly out of the engine, yeah. If it goes up KM> the pipe like the furnace,. that makes different options. That would work! > KM> Huh. I have right angles in the garage, but that's old enough to > KM> be rather large iron pipe. And isn't in use. There's also some > KM> plastic line that apparently was meant for the dryer but was not > KM> hooked up. So I have extras already. :) > Or so you think! At one time this house had a gas-fired air conditioner > -- the big cement slab it was on is under the bach porch. Even better: > the gas line is capped (in the basement) about ten feet from where the > generator is. They determined the pipe diameter was too small for the > generator. KM> Well, if all else fails, we need to make another tie-in just KM> below the meter anyway, to run gas to the barn and shop. Which KM> could easily become another line to wherever else. Planning ahead! :) Even if not doing the gas feed to the barn and shop now if need to make the tap for the generator may as well have them do a second tap for the barn line -- cap off until used. > All that because the longer length of gas pipe acts as a bit of buffer, > so when the generaor kicks in the furnace feed isn't starved --> the > natural gas itself expands and contacts some, buffering the feeds. A > starved feed would be like when running the water in the sink and > flushing the toilet: the cold water to the bathroom sink lessens for a > bit. KM> Yeah, would make the furnace unhappy. Yup! I don't know if there are sensors to monitor low gas flow but I don't want to have to use them! > KM> Actually, a very small gas wall heater in the garage (manual > KM> thermostat) might be a good thought too. > May as well while you're at it! 'Obviously' size correctly: too small > will either just keep a small area warm or will be constantly running > (or both); too big will probably 'overheat' the garage and be off too > much. KM> Actually the criterion is one that lets you set the thermostat KM> really low, like 40 degrees. Same as I want for the barn. Really KM> just anti-freeze, not to heat the place. Half-thinking having two or three thermostats might be a consideration: to my extremely limited experience barns are drafty and so if the wind is from the North and the one thermostat is on the South and set to 40ø the north part of the barn might be below freezing. Lots of 'all depends'. > Generator with its fumes inside in the basement?????? Maybe there are > multiple types of geneators, just like your sister's kicks in almost > instantaneously. KM> Probably. Same as there are vented and ventless heaters. Right - forgot about those (obviously!). > I also prefer to have them do all the work as then if something goes > wrong there is no question as to who was responsible. KM> Yeah, good thought! Same for the sump pump here. Was installed waaaaay before the generator so has a battery back up: fairly big 12v battery that is longer than any car batteries I've seen + electric pump locating in the sump pit above the regular pump. It would be cheaper for me to buy and replace the battery myself BUT if something goes wrong with the system.... My battery is connected into their charger, which also has some sort of control of the two pumps..., I think I'll save money elsewhere. ¯ ® ¯ BarryMartin3@MyMetronet.NET ® ¯ ® .... 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