Scenario:
I'm planning for the install of a backfeed circuit hook up for my "portable" tri-fuel generator. My main breaker box is located right inside the garage on front left side of home. On the outside wall I have a secondary panel for pool equipment that I believe will be the tie in location for backfeed install to allow ventilation while generator is in use.

I have an existing natural gas line for outdoor kitchen/grill on the same side of the home but in the rear (~50-75 feet behind pool breaker panel). I would like to tie into this nat gas line for generator feed but not sure how this will affect location of backfeed breaker install etc.

Question:
Looking for insight from others who have dealt with similar situation or have knowledge on the best path forward. Do I need to get plumber on site to install nat gas line extension to secondary breaker panel or electrician on site to advise regarding installing backfeed closer to rear of home near existing nat gas line for grill?

I'd think if they're 50-75' apart a longer electrical chord and the gas hose would be sufficient?

For example think a lot of the tri fuel generators come with a 15-20' nat gas hose. And can get 50' power chords on Amazon (id just confirm wire gauge for the longer lengths)

You might check and see if the branch gas line you want to tap into is adequate. A lot of those are sized down from the main line coming into the house.

When I had my valve put in for my trifuel it was right next to the meter and I used just the standard 10' hose the generator came with

Look up NG line size table and flow rate or energy flow rate.

Should show various line sizes, with distances and the maximum energy flow of NG at 2 inches of water pressure. You can check if the line size can help or if you need to up size the line.

Outside near meter should be 1" or 3/4". Inside might be 1/2".

~egon

Not sure if this will apply to your situation but something to consider is whether or not where you tap into the NG line will provide enough NG and not starve your generator.

We looked at the same when installing our whole home generator and the installer pulled the NG feed right after the meter. He was concerned about using the other line for multiple reasons, first being that the size of the line was only 1/2" by the time it got to the other side of the house. Second, was that after feeding all the appliances, furnaces and hot water heaters, that the generator could possibly be starved for fuel.

We have a much larger generator so this may not be an issue for you.

Update:
Installed:
Main breaker interlock
Generator breaker
Backfeed outlet

To allow future flexibility for larger generator purchase, Paid for a 50 amp install setup with inexpensive 50a>30amp plug adapter for current generator. Had to combine two 20 amp breakers to make room as my main panel was full. If we were planning to stay in this house long term I'd probably pay to have the entire panel capacity upgraded.

I lucked out as I'm staging the generator about 10' from the gas line feed for pool heater and gas grill so plumber says should be easy peasy and minimize cost of install.

All in (minus generator) this setup /install will cost just shy of $1000.

Money well spent for peace of mind and stress reduction from rib if power gets knocked out.

ThreatLevel: Midnight said:

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Update:
Installed:
Main breaker interlock
Generator breaker
Backfeed outlet

To allow future flexibility for larger generator purchase, Paid for a 50 amp install setup with inexpensive 50a>30amp plug adapter for current generator. Had to combine two 20 amp breakers to make room as my main panel was full. If we were planning to stay in this house long term I'd probably pay to have the entire panel capacity upgraded.

I lucked out as I'm staging the generator about 10' from the gas line feed for pool heater and gas grill so plumber says should be easy peasy and minimize cost of install.

All in (minus generator) this setup /install will cost just shy of $1000.

Money well spent for peace of mind and stress reduction from rib if power gets knocked out.

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smart move on the 50amp inlet.

I have a 1inch quick connect on the west side of my house. I use a 50ft natural gas hose to connect to my tri fuel westinghouse in the back patio. I then use a 75 ft 50amp cord to run to my 50amp inlet on the east side of my house. No problems running my house like this. You should be good to go with your set up!

I'd keep a bottle of propane handy as well. If you lose electricity, natural gas will only last so long until the pressure drops in the lines because the pumping stations are offline.

Yes sir. Planning to get a decent size tank as a worst case fail over.

Typically, NG compressors use their own fuel to drive the machines.

A lot are electric but you'll have either power back up or NG driven compressors. Losing the grid stinks.

Losing the NG lines is total disaster. The NG lines aren't going down after a hurricane.

~egon