Back-up Generators

[kiotiken]

I've heard that a lot of people have had troubles with Generac.

Ralph

Like I say, over 4 years and no issues at all. My brother in law has had his for probably 6+ years (12KW, also propane) with no problems. His has a fair bit of rust, mine looks like the day I bought it, so they might have made some improvements.

 

[grsthegreat]

My Onan doesn't have an exercise cycle, and those are good to have. I have to manually start mine a few times a year to make sure its up and running (other than the times i use it during power issues). I do have a battery trickle charger attached to it and a oil pan heater thats thermostatically controlled. Its a propane system thats hooked up to my 500 gallon tank with the rest of the house.

One thing i do is change the oil every fall whether its used or not. It only takes about 2-1/2 quarts so its cheap insurance. I just did maint on mine last saturday....and all is running fine. Ive had mine for 16 years, and has never failed to operate properly.

I have installed alot of generac units over the years, but i have no idea as to how long they survive. I believe that Guardian series of generac units are the higher end of their lines, and again i do not know if there actually any different. I just installed a Kohler 100 amp unit on a job and that was a NICE unit......very well built and easy to operate. Quiet running also for its size.

 

[kennyd]

I've heard that a lot of people have had troubles with Generac.

Ralph

I have the older (5 years or so) 15kw running on LP, I added a hour meter when I installed it and this morning it read 230 hours...it been running this time since Sunday at 12:45 AM. Never had one second of trouble with it.

I installed the 6kw model at my aunt's house at the same time and hers is still running strong also.

 

[hr3]

I've heard that a lot of people have had troubles with Generac

Your bound to they are 80% of the market on residential generators..

 

[kude]

You know listening to the news this morning, there's a lot of east coasters still without power who probably wished they had a generatorator right now.

 

[grsthegreat]

Back in 1996, North idaho experienced an ice storm that knocked some people out of power for pver 30 days. Generator sales went thru the roof. We having had an ice storm since then, and alot of those same generators have probibly never even been turned over and run. If there ever is a call for them again, they may not even start. Also, a few years after the ice storm..the nickles worth was full of generator for sale adds hehe

 

[ultrarunner]

Back in 1996, North idaho experienced an ice storm that knocked some people out of power for pver 30 days. Generator sales went thru the roof. We having had an ice storm since then, and alot of those same generators have probibly never even been turned over and run. If there ever is a call for them again, they may not even start. Also, a few years after the ice storm..the nickles worth was full of generator for sale adds hehe

It was standard practice to run all emergency back-up Hospital Generators for one hour a week... including a cool down cycle... so 52 hours a year just in readiness testing.

About 5 years ago, we were required to register all stationary Diesel Powered Equipment and the license only permits 20 hours per year of non-emergency use...

So now it is 45 minutes every two weeks...

Local Hospital Administrators tried to get exemptions and it was a no-go...

We do use less fuel, but it stays in the tank longer...

I think the annual permit fee for a typical 125 kw unit is about $400 for the air district and another $250 for the integral above ground double containment fuel tank.

 

[Dog Lover]

I have had the Generac LP 12KW for 6-7yrs. No problems whatsoever. I had a battery die after 5 yrs..cost $50 to replace.

I change oil each year, using Mobil One synthetic, changed spark plugs once, otherwise no problems ever...Always works when you need it...

Best house accessory I ever bought...Every house should have one. Sits right next to the Air Cond unit.
Practices once a week for 13 min.

 

[Ductape]

About 5 years ago, we were required to register all stationary Diesel Powered Equipment and the license only permits 20 hours per year of non-emergency use...

So now it is 45 minutes every two weeks...

Local Hospital Administrators tried to get exemptions and it was a no-go...

We do use less fuel, but it stays in the tank longer...

I think the annual permit fee for a typical 125 kw unit is about $400 for the air district and another $250 for the integral above ground double containment fuel tank.

Am I the only one who finds this insane??? :confused2:

 

[AHNC]

Thanks for all the very helpful advise. At this point my question is, where do you locate the generator in relation to the house/panel/electrical service? Why? I do not want to put it to close to the house for noise reasons. Can these be effectively muffled?