Hey this is why I have two backup gen sets. One that is 120 volt yamaha INVERTER type so we can run electronics and smaller loads and a 120/240 volt for everything else.
I wired my panel for eaze of using either and or. I have 15 jerry cans (5 gals) two 45 gallon drums of fuel and 11 - 45 gallon drums of oil for the furnace...we'll be ok
So I have a 10 gauge wire going outside for the 120/240 that plugs into the generator and hooks into the emergency panel. This lets us have hotwater...freezer..fridge...some lights and plugs and the furnace.
Have to clean up the water lines now that I have the wiring done...so don't go crazy on me ok.
Emergency Panel:
Note the plugs are fed from the emergency panel. If the power goes off I just plud in the generator to the black cord outside flip the breaker in the panel and voila I have the critical things working.
If however I only need a few things then I start up the 120 gen and then unplug what I want to run and it runs....then when the power comes back on I just plug it back in the plug...SIMPLE
Then with the yellow cord you can pull out which ever ones out of the plugs and plug them into the cord end. This runs off of my 120 gen set.
This way I can plug in whatever I think is the most important and save fuel.
Very versatile and in expensive.
Jer Bear