Use house's generator hookup in "reverse"?
#1
Member
Thread Starter

Hi, I'm buying a house which has an external generator hookup below the meter and inside has a panel to select the power source either from the power company or the generator. There is a screwed-on metal plate which prevents you from having both on at the same time.
I have an electric car and will need to be able to charge, naturally. The meter / generator hook-up happen to be right next to the driveway. Is it possible to safely plug my car into the generator hook-up and allow electricity to flow back through the generator hook-up to charge the car?
Not looking for an unsafe or hacky solution, just curious if there is an acceptable/safe solution to this. Otherwise I'll just get a NEMA 14-50 installed nearby.
Thanks!
I have an electric car and will need to be able to charge, naturally. The meter / generator hook-up happen to be right next to the driveway. Is it possible to safely plug my car into the generator hook-up and allow electricity to flow back through the generator hook-up to charge the car?
Not looking for an unsafe or hacky solution, just curious if there is an acceptable/safe solution to this. Otherwise I'll just get a NEMA 14-50 installed nearby.
Thanks!
#2
What you have on the panel is called an interlock. Both the main and the generator breakers are not allowed to be on at the same time. Because of this fact.... there is no way to get power to that generator receptacle without removing the interlock device.
So in your case..... you'll need to run a dedicated line to your receptacle.
So in your case..... you'll need to run a dedicated line to your receptacle.