Need advice on generator interlock or transfer switch


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Old 06-06-18, 11:11 AM
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Need advice on generator interlock or transfer switch

This is for a 2004 mobile home and a Generac Rapid Start 5500-running-watt portable
generator. The main panel (Cutler-Hammer BR 100 amp) is in a location such that there is only about 6 inches on either side of it and it's mounted flush. All the x-fer switches I see are surface mount and say they are designed to be installed to the left or right of a surface mount panel. I was going to do an interlock but I don't have any room to install the generator breakers in the panel (main breaker is at lower right).

I'm having an electrician do the work but I need to figure out a setup that's going to work and buy the needed equipment for him to install, and I can't quite figure out what to buy to make it work. Any suggestions?

Ignore the arrows in the pic, this was part of the home inspection report pointing out a double tab and an open knockout.
 
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Old 06-06-18, 11:34 AM
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Is there a main panel on a pole that supplies that panel?
 

Last edited by pcboss; 06-06-18 at 08:02 PM.
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Old 06-06-18, 11:46 AM
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There is not, meter is mounted to an enclosure outside, no other panel. I actually have 11 inches on the left side but I'd need a surface mount x-fer switch as the door to the furnace is right there, and I haven't seen a surface mount.
 
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Old 06-06-18, 08:04 PM
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Can you show the back of the meter socket? It would be unusual for the service panel to be inside the home. I also see a 4 wire feeder which leads me to believe the service is outside.
 
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Old 06-07-18, 09:03 AM
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Ok, I took a closer look and there's a panel at the bottom of the meter box with 2 pairs of breakers in it. Couldn't get a better pic as it doesn't open very much.
 
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Old 06-07-18, 10:19 AM
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Do you know what the two breakers on the left go to? Does it look like there are knockouts for more breakers?
 
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Old 06-07-18, 10:38 AM
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I would imagine they belong to the absent second meter. Doesn't look like there are any knockouts, but even if there were that would be a very bad place to have to get to in the winter for a transfer switch. It's also the complete opposite end of the house the generator is stored at.

My neighbors utility room is the same layout as mine, took a look at his yesterday, he has the same switch I am looking at getting (Reliance Controls 31406CRK) surface mounted above the panel and the conduit snaking through a hole in the wall to the panel. I don't really see any other way to do it. They make a flush mount kit for that switch but the only place with enough room is above the panel, and that's where most of the wiring enters the panel so I don't think there's room.
 
 

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