I am about to take ownership of my fathers old generator now that they have a generac. I did a little further inspection of the generator over the weekend, I noticed it's an 8000 and it has a 30 amp plug on it. I was thinking there may be a 50 amp on it but there's not. I do plan on having a plug installed to the electrical panel so I can plug straight in when the next time the power goes out for longer than a few hours. Down the road when I am ready to upgrade the generator to a tri fuel and one that is probably 12,000. I have done a little research on the plug for the house and I cam across a video that said if you're above 8,500 you should install a 50amp plug. So, with all the being said would it be fine for me to install the 50amp plug, then buy a step down plug for the 30amps the generator is able to handle? Or would it be better to install a 30amp plug for now? I am not sure when I will be buying a bigger generator, I will of course also ask an electrician their opinion, but I also want some real world experience responses.

Sounds like put in the 30amp plug but wire for 50 so can change out to different plug but not have to change wire. Haven't done much wiring in years, last big generator I put the wiring in for was a PTO driven one for a chicken house in the late 70s

be sure to disconnect from utility power first. rumor is that not doing that is what killed a fec lineman this spring.

Always isolate from going back to the grid

Based on everything you wrote I’d wire it just once with correct w/50 amp receptacle (&wiring) so you’re ready to go if that old 8000w Ginny kicks the bucket!
Just do it right with lockout plate or limited-select circuit transfer switch,
and correct receptacle that does Not involve use of a homemade suicide cord!

There won't be anything homemade about this, I am going to hire an electrician to install everything, I don't play around when it comes to electricity.

just so you are aware - there are transfer switches available very reasonable that let you energize select circuits if you're able to narrow down what you'd want powered by the genset:

https://www.northerntool.com/produc...50-amps-12-500-watts-model-51410c-100005

Yes, I know about those.

Just FWIW:

I set mine up with a 30 amp 240v plug and circuit for my 5,000 watt (7000 peak) generator because it is highly unlikely that I will buy a larger generator. It back feeds my 200 amp main panel through a dedicated breaker. Using a $40. interlock bracket it makes it safe and legal.

Having the whole panel hot means that all of my 32 circuit breakers are alive, including my lake water irrigation pump and aerobic septic system. Yes, I have to make big items "take turns" like the electric stove top/oven and electric water heater, but my two refrigerators and chest freezers can stay on. Using a soft start kit, I can run my 3 ton heat pump along with lights, TV, refrigerators, and freezers, but other large loads must be off. My electric water heater draws 4500 watts, so I set it up with a switch to run it at 120v when on the generator. This cuts the consumption down to 1,100 watts, so it takes four times longer to heat. But that beats no hot water!

No, my set up is not as good as 15-25 kW whole house with auto-changeover, but it always meets my needs and lets me run for a week on the gas that I have on hand.

Marc

I installed the 30 amp version of this a few weeks ago. We lost power when the remnants of Buryl came thru. It took me less than 5 minutes to have the power back on.
Pro/Tran2 50 Amp 10 Circuit Transfer Switch

do you buy one to run your entire house, or just a room with a window unit?

What do they cost? I've hear the top-of-the-line Generac can cost $15,000 which covers the cost of a lot of hotel rooms.

Buzz pick up a Harbor Freight 9000 on sale and with coupon. have installed dedicated breaker for geni and transfer lock out plate, plug through wall to outside for geni, build box for geni, rotate stored fuel (25-50gal) in 5g jugs. then can pick and choose what to run by flipping breakers off in your panel when on geni. Where you live, chances of multi day outage are low risk vs cost of a generac. I,ve got less than $1,000 invested in my backup. lot's of you tube explanations including using the cheap HF

thanks!