Is this doable, and if so, how?

Previously in a blackout we would turn off the main breaker to separate from the pole and then backfeed our 5000w generator. We could run most anything in the house, admittedly not at the same time. Wife needed to do wash? make sure to turn off some lights, fridge, etc. wintertime, we need to make sure the boiler has power. In the summer outages that circuit would not be a concern.

But I want to do this right. the manual transfer switch at home depot has 6 breakers. that means only 6 circuits can be powered?

Is there a way to do what I want? To power all circuits, knowing not everything can be on at the same time?

 

IMO go with the 6 or an 8 transfer switch. Why backfeed the whole panel. Those panel interlocks are not NJ friendly I believe, meaning inspectors dont like them..

Pick out the main circuits.

Heat
Refridge
lights
outlets
Micro wave....etc..

If you need to run say the washer, what I do is run an extension cord from a working outlet with the prober gauge and run it to the washer. I did the same for the micro..

After all its emergency power IMO and not a day at the Hilton...

Last off you need to get the whole bonding issue figured out..

1. Is the gen a floating neutral or bonded?
2. If bonded you either need to lift the bond at the gen or get a neutral switching transfer switch..

How you back-fed before was most likely unsafe and dangerous...