Reliance Controls 50-Amp Transfer Switch

We have 2 fridge/freezer combos and one stand-up freezer, and a bunch of computer network stuff that has to be up since we have someone that works from home. Gotta have power or you could lose your job.

I got the Generac GP15000E and it supplies a TON of power for what we need - maybe a bit of excess, but we didn't want to take any chances. I hooked it up to a 10-circuit transfer switch via the power inlet box and we are gold. The generator power cord was on backorder for a month so I ordered via a big box store online and it got here in 3 days. Strange.

No issues with the generator. It's heavy... 400 lbs. heavy with a full tank of gas (16 gal). Putting it together was not difficult but I am mechanically inclined. Getting the wheelbase on was the toughest part because of the sheer weight of the unit. I had the main part propped up on a couple of wood crate pallets used to deliver the generator on. No issues with battery cables, bolts, etc. All parts were included. Not sure what some other people are having trouble with.

I put in the transfer switch myself and it was easy as well. Just make sure you know what you're doing - if not, get an electrician. I have an EE degree so I have a good grasp on what to do. The transfer switch works great - all circuits worked fine. I have used it 3 times for testing purposes only (and to show my wife how it works in case I'm not here - and how to get everything going).

The only tough thing would be the gas amount to have on hand if you have an extended outage. It says it should run around 10 hours or so... that's 16 gal of gas. The biggest gas can is 5 gal, so if you need to run it overnight, you'll be out by morning - and if you only have 5 gal tank to refill from, you'll be making multiple trips to the gas station. Guess I need more gas storage containers to solve that problem.... but nothing wrong with the products I purchased.

This was only purchased for emergencies only anyway, so hopefully it won't get a ton of use except for the monthly testing run.

The only thing not shown here is the 10-4 wire I purchased at a big box store (the thick black wire out of the transfer switch to inlet box)... it was routed on top of the basement wall top (it's an unfinished basement right now) and thru the rafters... so it would be out of the way once we finish the basement out in the next month or 2.

I bought the transfer switch and cord from the electricgeneratorsdirect.com to hook the generator up to the house electrical panel. I HIGHLY recommend this generator, transfer switch, and twistlock cord. It is well constructed and the Honda Engine is quiet compared to the Briggs & Stratton Engines that are on some of the generators. I ran this unit through Hurricane Irene and a recent ice storm on the East Coast that wiped out power for days. I got about 9 hours on the tank before full refueling with even power on a full load.

I had it hooked up to a Reliance Transfer Switch (which must be installed by a licensed electrician) and it ran the heating system, two refrigerators, two TV's, full kitchen appliances, washer, dryer and most of the lights and outlets and I had enought power to run an extension cord into my neighbors house to run a refrigerator and space heater during the outage. The unit is so simple to start with the electronic battery start which is a key feature in rain or cold temperatures. It makes it real easy to start.

Don't waste your time running a bunch of extension cords into the house. Invest the few hundred dollars and buy the transfer switch and the twistlock cord. It is so much easier and much safer running one twistlock cord to the transfer switch and on flipping breakers on than running a bunch of extension cords.

I got this generator to augment a 5,000 watt generator. The model 30207 generator is very well built, much better than I expected it to be.

The electric start is a great addition. I wired it to the Q510A transfer switch by way of the PB50 power inlet box. This combination is wonderful and with some wiring knowledge does not really require an expert electrician to preform.