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  3. 165137-10259

Backup Generator transfer switch

In the past two issues of Stereophile, Michael Fremer has been discussing the disastrous results to the sound of his system after having a backup generator installed at his home. The system is not running on the generator, but he believes it has to do with the transfer switch that gets installed on the AC signal path.  He describes a pre-generator experience as "intense and emotionally elevating" afterwards "everything good was gone, two large ill-focused boomboxes had replaced absolute magic".  I recently moved and had been listening to my system prior to and after the installation of a Generac whole house generator, I did not notice any change in the sound, I can still sit and enjoy the music for hours with no sense of fatigue.  Perhaps my ears are shot or my equipment is not expensive enough.  Anyone here have any experiences with generator transfer switches?

Thanks
Ag insider logo xs@2xdeadlift

Showing 2 responses by whart

whart's avatar
whart
2,976 posts
 
I plan to install a Generac whole house after the disaster here in Texas and will be digging down with the same electrician that installed the subsystem I use to power the hi-fi, which is essentially a 60 amp feed from the main service entrance to a sub panel that goes into a 10kVA iso transformer and routes via 4 gauge to a sub panel dedicated to the system and from which are pulled dedicated lines. 
I have no interest in playing the system during any electrical back up period, but the Fremer experience was brought to my attention. Given that virtually all this electrical equipment is outside in close proximity to the service panel (no basement, just pier and beam construction), it should be possible to route this back up in a way that does not involve the switch but I'm not an electrician and haven't thought this through yet, let alone met with the electricians to discuss it. I had a terrific experience with them in installing the above described subsystem-- mainly commercial contractors, they really knew their stuff. I haven't focused on this yet, but if anybody has any thoughts, I'd certainly welcome them. Sorry to piggy back on your thread, @deadlift .
whart's avatar
whart
2,976 posts
 
@jea48 -thanks Jim.
The other thing I’m looking at is silencing the thing as much as possible. I’m aware of the Zombie Box, a third party silencer box with appropriate venting, but their soundproofing treatment info is a little sketchy. I’ve used melamine sheets with mass loaded vinyl as a sandwich with great success indoors. As long as the lining of the box is weatherproofed, I don’t see why that isn’t an option for this, other than expense- that stuff is pricey, at least from an acoustic supply house. More, once I get down to brass tacks with the electrician and actual ordering; I figured those Cummins things could power a hospital- I was planning on running from natural gas, assume Cummins is available that way too. Appreciate the info.
When I lived along the Hudson north of Manhattan, after Hurricane Sandy, a lot of neighbors bought whole house units. We held off only b/c we weren’t using the house all year, and started splitting time between NY and Texas. Never thought power would be an issue down here. It’s been good, quiet, relatively new infrastructure, etc. Oh well. Beats the hell out of freezing my *** off.
Best to all.
Bill
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