Setting up the MEP-003A as a standby generator

Now for the main panel. Previously, we had a large package unit heat pump with a dedicated 100a feeder from the main 400a panel. Since upgrading our HVAC by deleting the package unit and going to a pair of 3 head minisplits, we now only needed 2 20a breakers feeding the units.

I pulled the old panel for the HVAC units and swapped in an outdoor 100a load center. This contains the 60a feed breaker from the generator (which will get an interlock evenutally).

I also added a 30a RV style outlet and breaker that is on the same bus as the fridge and freezer breakers. That way when we need to stay quiet, I can power the necessity items on our tiny 3500w inverter unit that sips fuel.

The little panel on the left is the RV 30a outlet.

The panel on the right is fed directly from the generator. This is the "load bank" panel we will use for running the unit monthly. This way, I can apply a 50-90% load to the generator without changing any wiring, etc. It's also tapped before the 60a breaker in the panel which means I don't have to shut off power to anything in the house to exercise the genset. The genset has a built in breaker so everything is well protected.

Our load bank consists of a small barrel with 3 3800w water heater elements. Eventually, those elements will be plumbed into a solar water heater heat exchanger tank so we aren't wasting energy.

Anyways.. It's all but finished and am happy overall with the outcome.

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Setting up the MEP-003A as a standby generator