chocolate icecream is the solution to all our problems. i can't buy a transfer switch anywhere in cebu and the one i ordered in lazada will probably take long to arrive for obvious reasons. i also read in the news that electricity won't be fully restored until a month from now. but the only purpose of a transfer switch is to prevent the main line and generator to be switched on at the same time.
so i used an ice cream container to create some sort of SWITCH LOCK that prevents the generator and main line breaker to be on at the same time. now that the generator is connected to the main panel, i can get rid of the annoying extension chords and lamps. it feels so nice to be able to switch on any light in the house and for all outlets to work. i can even turn on the airconditioner when it's hot as long as i turn off the breaker to the microwave oven, water heaters and stoves while the aircon is running. the generator will just trip if it gets overloaded so it's safe.
in my next post i will show you a video of how this switch lock works. for now i will give some project tips in case my imaginary followers affected by the super typhoon or want to prepare for the next typhoon or power outtage want to do the same. i will just explain the stuff that is not obvious by looking at the photos.
the icecream container is not thick enough so i made 2 layers and glued it together. i drilled 2 holes on the panel cover (in case you don't know what is a center punch, it makes drilling a hole on a steel plate much easier. just google it or watch a video on youtube).
a big challenge i had to overcome was if i tighten the nut, then the switch lock won't be able to slide back and forth. if i losen the nut, it could turn and losen too much and cause the switch lock to be dislodged. luckily i found a surprisingly maleable copper washer in my surplus box. i twisted the washer to choke the bolt tight and prevent the nut from becoming too lose.
i re-assigned the breaker switch next to the main switch to a vacant slot so the generator switch and main switch are now side-by-side. i then edited the mapping/guide and labeled the switches that should be on when the generator is on. i should color code the labels but i'm too lazy to go out and buy colored pentel pens.
i drilled a hole on the kesame and ran a #10 gauge wire to the main panel. an #8 gauge is recommended but the hardware store ran out. anyway i did a stress test by running a 1hp aircon, 2 big screen tvs, wifi and turned on all the lights (12 X 18 watts = 216 watts) for 1 hour and the #10 wire never became warm. also all my neighbors were charging their gadgets during the stress test (around 20 cell phones) so i can say with confidence the #10 wire is good enough for my 5kw generator.
i used an outdoor outlet rated 20 amps. ideally 30 amps is better but i can't find one. for aesthetics, i covered the wires outside the house with a flexible conduit and the one going down to the breaker panel with pvc moulding. i refuse to run the wires through the conduit that is buried inside the wall because it's against my pragmatic principles. in my next rant i will explain why there needs to be a world wide revolution to demand the architects and engineers to never bury the plumbing and conduits inside the walls or under the floors. this stupidity has gone on for too long it's time we wisen up.
HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!
(for more of my knowledge bombs, click the "ian's knowledge bombs" banner at the top of this article and choose any article in the table of contents that piques your interest)
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