Hello
I have been following this forum for some time now. I do not (yet) own an lister type engine. However, I am a self proclaimed "diesel head" and I also earn my living as an engineer in the electrical contracting industry. I have done extensive work with generator and transfer switch systems. Installing a manual transfer switch for your whole house is not an uncommon thing. In fact, I have my entire home and shop fed from a single 200A single phase service. The service is routed through a 200A manual transfer switch. When we experience a power outage, I go to my house power panel first and shut off all non-essential high power circuit breakers (clothes dryer, hot tub, wall oven, A/C condenser, water heater) and I turn off all breakers feeding motor loads (refrigerator, well pump, septic pump, freezer). Then I go get the generator and roll it over to the transfer switch. I have a cord connected to the generator terminals of the switch with a plug on the other end. I plug the cord into the generator, start the generator, and then flip the manual switch. By flipping the switch I disconnect the house from the utility grid and connect the house to the generator. Finally, I go back to my house power panel and turn on all the motor loads one-at-a-time. This way, I do not overload the generator by trying to start several motors at once. I am actually able to run my 2200 sq. ft home with my little 5kw generator. I just cannot run things like A/C, clothes dryer, electric water heater(water heater can be operated if I shut off everything else), oven, and any other load that exceeds the 5000 watt capability. It sure is nice, during a utility outage, to be able to watch tv, have running water, have the use of every light fixture and electrical outlet in the house, run the furnace blower for heat, etc. Also, some day I may purchase a larger generator so I can operate more of my larger power appliances. The switch is large enough for this, so I only need a larger generator and larger power cord/plug.
Take care!