Portable Generator Conversion Guide – DIY Generac

*DISCLAIMER*: Nothing in this post is legal/code advice. Hire an electrician for the electrical part, and a plumber for the gas lines. If you are not confident in doing the install yourself\*

Hello everyone, I wrote this up awhile ago for friends/family, and figured I'd post it since it is clear that reliable electricity is kinda a thing of the past. After pricing out a Generac install it just was not feasible in my budget, so I ended up doing a portable "permanant" install that came in at under $3k at the time, compared to 15-20 I was quoted for a Generac. It does require manually firing the generator, connecting the cable, and turning on the breakers, but its also 5x less in cost. I did my install in 2021 after the historic freeze killed my previous generator.

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I have created this guide so that you can make purchase(s) that will allow you can (at a minimum )to hook up your generator to house. I have multiple levels of things you can buy to accomplish more than that. So Level1 = Bare Minimum, -> Level4 would be everything you need to run the generator without requiring you to move the generator, or hook anything up other than the plug that connects to the house from the generator when you want to use it.
Video of an example of the completed Level 4 install:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7ufE_CD2QI (Not my video, but this guide is based on this)
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Level1: Minimum Required Parts to hook up your house.
Generator: Durostar or Duromax 12000EH. (XP1200EH should work too, newer model) https://outboundpower.com/products/durostar-ds12000eh-dual-fuel-portable-generator-12-000-watts
Transfer Switch: (10 Circuit 50amp) https://www.electricgeneratorsdirect.com/Reliance-Controls-R510A/p61744.html or (6 Circuit 30amp) https://www.electricgeneratorsdirect.com/Reliance-Controls-R306A/p61718.html
Cable: Depending on the switch you buy: R510A uses50 amp cable: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00268VSJ6/ ; Cable is DIY and needs to be connected to a connector. This cable will not work with R306A.
Connector for R510A- https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HS0HQW/
R306A uses a 30 amp cable: https://www.harborfreight.com/25-ft-x-10-gauge-generator-duty-twist-lock-extension-cord-62308.html ; This is a finished cable. This cable will not work with the R510A box.
The box you choose should be chosen based on what you want to run off the generator, and how many circuits. R306A will run less as it is capped at 30A. It also has less circuits. I bought R306A, then upgrades to R510A earlier this year.

Depending on where the holes are or what is available on your breaker box you may need a right angle conduit.
For The R306A Box: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Southwire-3-4-in-Liquidtight-NM-90-Degree-PVC-Conduit-Fitting-Connector-58133902/204755885
For the R510A Box: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Sigma-Electric-ProConnex-1-in-Plastic-90-Deg-LT-Connector/1003202980
You will need an electrician to install your transfer switch or you can install it yourself. I followed these videos by the transfer switch manufacturer. It did not take a ton of time. Only about an hour or two depending on your speed.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTqjwt6WJ7o
It is a series of 6 videos.
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Level 2: Parts Required to Hook up to Natural Gas as a Fuel Source.
Natural Gas Regulator for Generator: https://motorsnorkel.com/product/motorsnorkel/msk3101-motor-snorkel-tri-fuel-natural-gas-propane-and-gasoline-conversion-kit/
Natural Gas Hose: https://www.caloreequipment.com/products/3-4-ball-valve-quick-connect-natural-gas-hose-connector-kit/
Pipe Grease: (I think the regulator kit also comes with some, otherwise): https://www.homedepot.com/p/Oatey-1-oz-Plumber-s-Grease-30620/203489444
Hardware to attach the Gas Regulator: Need (2) https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-5-16-in-x-1-3-4-in-x-4-3-16-in-Coarse-Zinc-Plated-Steel-U-Bolt-806876/204273751Need (2) https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-385-x-5-16-in-x-2-in-x-3-3-4-in-Coarse-Zinc-Plated-U-Bolt-806886/204273749
Unsure which of the 2 brackets I used, but one of these will fit around the bar on the generator, and I used the nuts from the other one to lock it in place by putting 2 nuts on each side of U bolts.
You will need to hire someone to attach the 3/4" ball valve connector to your meter. I do not know where your gas meter is in relation to your breaker box. If both are near each other that is great. Mine were on different sides of the house so I needed 30 ft of power cord and 25 ft of natural gas hose and placed the generator in the middle so that it would all reach. The hose is pretty much permanently attached to the generator, which will make moving the generator and hose a hassle. Thus I'd suggest against converting to natural gas until you are ready to permanently place the generator. One part of the propane regulator has to be removed, then lubricated and installed on the new natural gas regulator.
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Level3: Parts to store the generator outside in place allowing you to keep the generator hooked up at all times, except the extension cord from the generator to the house.
Exhaust Hose:https://www.amazon.com/FORTLUFT-Exhaust-Connector-1-00×72-00-25-4x1830mm/dp/B093L8P2KF?th=1
Exhaust Fan: https://www.ebay.com/itm/163819586775?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649
Exhaust Bracket: https://www.ebay.com/itm/132063867294?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649
Inlet (Need 2): https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-Wide-Mouth-Dryer-Vent-Hood-in-White-BPMH4WHD6/203647465
Shed: Suncast BMS2500 https://www.walmart.com/ip/Suncast-34-Cu-Ft-Horizontal-Outdoor-Backyard-Resin-Storage-Shed-Vanilla/27653120
Board for base Need (2): https://www.homedepot.com/p/WeatherShield-2-in-x-6-in-x-8-ft-2-Prime-Ground-Contact-Pressure-Treated-Lumber-262P8/206936146
Pavers (Need 14 +2 more if you want to remove the tires to reduce chance of theft): https://www.homedepot.com/p/4-in-x-8-in-x-16-in-Solid-Concrete-Block-30168621/100350217
Outdoor Screws (1 Box): https://www.homedepot.com/p/Grip-Rite-9-x-3-in-Philips-Bugle-Head-Coarse-Thread-Sharp-Point-Polymer-Coated-Exterior-Screw-1-lb-Pack-PTN3S1/100115639
Bags of Sand: (2-4*?): https://www.homedepot.com/p/Quikrete-50-lb-Quikrete-Premium-Play-Sand-111351/206363630
Caulk to go around the exhaust fan and inlets: https://www.homedepot.com/p/DAP-DYNAFLEX-Ultra-10-1-oz-Gray-Advanced-Exterior-Window-Door-and-Siding-Sealant-18219/306283633
Sheet of Hardibacker to isolate/protect the back wall around the exhaust and around the exhaust bracket: https://www.homedepot.com/p/James-Hardie-HardieBacker-3-ft-x-5-ft-x-1-4-in-Cement-Backerboard-220022/100183556
*I forget how much sand we bought.Cuts were (2) 54 1/2 and (2) 34 1/2 These cuts will be based on the dimensions of your pavers. Make sure the dimensions match up. You can lay all the pavers out next to each other then measure the distance. Add a little bit of wiggle room. The boards are basically there to keep the sand in.
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Level4: These parts depend on multiple things including how big your central AC unit is. If your central AC Unit is too large, it is possible this will not work. The largest breaker that can be installed in the transfer switches is a 30AMP breaker. This means your AC has to draw < 30 AMPs when running to not trip the breaker, and your generator (and what else is connected to it must draw < max amps the generator provides)Breaker: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Siemens-30-Amp-Double-Pole-Type-QP-Circuit-Breaker-Q230U/100002289Soft Starter for AC (Wizard to determine which to order): http://www.micro-air.com/tools/easystart/modelselectorv2/step1.cfmSoft starter will have to be installed by a electrician, or you can install it. However you will need to discharge the run-start capactior. Failure to discharge the capacitor can lead to death.
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Level5: Quality of Life Items – These are nice to have but not required in any way.
Wireless Thermometer: to monitor the temperature in the shed while generator is running: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07SJ75TFL/
Solar Panel Trickle Charger for Generator Battery: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PFG56ZS/
Attached is a list of (most) of the items I bought for the generator and prices for when I bought them. It can be used as a refrence for what a Part4 (or 5) project would cost overall.
The Video at the top lists most of the things you need, that should be listed in this guide. You can/should watch that even if you are not planning on building the shed. It is still a good overview of the natural gas conversion. If you are only doing the transfer switch you probably don't need to watch the video, however I still would just so you know the work involved in doing it if you decide to in the future. Its entirely possible some thing(s) are missing off the lists. However I am fairly certain almost everything I ordered is on it.

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Let me know if any links don't work. I tried to update them to current links. Hopefully this helps some of yall.

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