Two houses MEP 03

[tbearatkin]

I have read it can be done on a MEP 04. How about a MEP 03

Possible outage due to snow and ice. Elderly neighbor may need gas furnace and minor lights refridge. Can I tie a L1 and neutral L0 and ground for one house 110 and 1 L3 neutral L0 and ground for the other house to run just furnace and minor lights and refridge in each house.

 

[steelandcanvas]

You could but do you have a transfer switch or interlock breaker on both houses to avoid feeding back into the utility?

 

[tbearatkin]

I would not wire it to the breakers. Plan is to run it off extension cords like we did our tents when in the field. Both furnaces have plugs on them.

 

[jamawieb]

I have read it can be done on a MEP 04. How about a MEP 03

Possible outage due to snow and ice. Elderly neighbor may need gas furnace and minor lights refridge. Can I tie a L1 and neutral L0 and ground for one house 110 and 1 L3 neutral L0 and ground for the other house to run just furnace and minor lights and refridge in each house.

Where are you located tbearatkin? I'm located about an hour north of Memphis. If you ever need anything let me know.
The 003a will be more than enough for 2 houses with minimal usage as you described. I have a 002a which runs everything in my 1100sq ft house and I have a 003a at my parents 2700sq ft house with 2 central units and 2 wall units. It runs everything just fine.

 

[tbearatkin]

Didn't I buy this MEP03 from you?

 

[jamawieb]

Didn't I buy this MEP03 from you?

More than likely, I'm the only one in the area that sales them. When did you buy it?

 

[tbearatkin]

This past year, picked it up in a white chevy pick up, a engine was part of the deal

 

[jamawieb]

Yeah I remember! They have already called for a state of emergency for tomorrow's storm so good luck! If you need anything let me know.

 

[tbearatkin]

Should be fine, I was just wondering, Thought it was possible as long as the load was managed correctly.

 

[Chainbreaker]

I have read it can be done on a MEP 04. How about a MEP 03

Possible outage due to snow and ice. Elderly neighbor may need gas furnace and minor lights refridge. Can I tie a L1 and neutral L0 and ground for one house 110 and 1 L3 neutral L0 and ground for the other house to run just furnace and minor lights and refridge in each house.

Typically you would need to run it out to a Spider Box in each distribution location (each house in your case) so you have breaker protection for each extension cord run. However in an emergency situation you gotta do what you gotta do.

 

[jimbo913]

With the way you are trying to do it, I think you would have to drive a ground for the neighbors house which could cause a double ground at your house. Why not just feed your house and run extension cords from there?

 

[tbearatkin]

With the cords coming straight off the generator to the furnace and lights plugs directly, the ground at the generator would be the ground. It would be acting as stand alone source generator. Once I have a main plug to the house installed I will just run a few cords to the neighbors house. Baby steps as funds become available. Ordered my interlock for the panel box, should be here this week. Then just save the funds for the #6 wire. Generator will be 100ft from the house.

 

[Isaac-1]

If you are looking for cheaper wiring options check out used 50 amp RV cords on ebay, they often sell cheap, sometimes with damaged plugs, etc. and are usually 3 # 6 conductors, with a #8 ground conductor. These tend to be somewhat seasonal, just don't buy the 30 amp RV cords as they are 120V only with only 3 conductors total.

 

[Chainbreaker]

...Once I have a main plug to the house installed I will just run a few cords to the neighbors house.

You probably already know this, but for others that may not and are reading this thread...One of the things you mentioned, in emergency situations like you are anticipating, is running your neighbor's Fridge via extension cords. Just be mindful that the appliance mfg's state that you are NOT to run an appliance (especially any with compressors, Fridge/Freezer, etc.) off of an extension cord; only direct wall plug connection only. Of course we know they want to make it SAFE and fool proof, and in addition, want to eliminate any added warranty exposure they might have.

There are tables you can Google where Mfg's of various HD extension cords calculate the conductor sizes you will need that take into account the distance of the run vs load that will help insure safety. I think Isaac's idea of finding good used RV cable might be a good direction to investigate. With some ingenuity you could even make your own DIY Spider Box with breaker protection as funds permit.