Backup Generator

[downsizingnow48]

For years I have got by at the Mendocino place with a old 3500w Craftsman construction generator. It feeds into an interlocking manual switch that selects either PG&E or generator power. The switch has two breakers, 100 amp goes to the house and 60 amp goes to the shop. The setup works fine but requires a lot of swapping of loads to get along during an extended outage. The power goes out for 4hrs - 2 days at a time, up to a week sometimes. And this happens probably 10-12 times a year. In the past, we often just bail out and go back to Sacramento rather than deal with the outage and the small generator.

I want to upgrade the backup power so we can stay there during outages with less generator management. I've been looking at generators in the 9-12kw range. Here is the question, looking at the table below, does anyone have direct experience with any of these machines? I am favoring either the Honda gas or the Kubota diesel at this point, because I have current and direct personal experience with both manufacturer's motors and it is all good. I should add the old Craftsman (20-30 years) has a Generac motor that is 100% reliable and easy to start, but I cannot assume current Generac motors are equally good.

 

[RNeumann]

Go with Winco and use a Honeywell WiFi thermostat to control it. All the others have a circuit board while the Winco does not.....think parts and repair costs. Even the transfer switch can be a “generic” ASCO or something that uses dry contacts to control the gen.

BTW- what the heck do you need 12kw plus for in Mendocino?!?! The only thing that needs that much power there is in warehouses and grows. If that ain’t your scene look for a generator that will just what you really need- very little heat or cooling, a few appliances and some lights. KISS.

 

[nbking]

I have a generac, with a auto transfer switch, can't beat it. Maintenance is very easy on it, I just did the valve adjustment. It's going on 4 years now. It runs on propane. Good luck on generator purchase.

 

[RoyKing]

Do some internet research and look on u tube, LP is expensive and in bad storm refills are iffy. Diesels are my choice but tier 4 emission has limited the choices. Sealed 55 gal drums will last for years. and you can use off road. I went with used military 6kw for $2500.00.
Diesel Generators for Home Power or Off-Grid Electricity
Tube search for mep-8 3k 6k 10k

 

[DHD]

I thought a back up generator would be a good idea so in 2002 I bought a new Honda generator.
It's been sitting in my garage ever since, never used, never had gas in it.
Not one of my better ideas.:confused3:

 

[LouNY]

I thought a back up generator would be a good idea so in 2002 I bought a new Honda generator.
It's been sitting in my garage ever since, never used, never had gas in it.
Not one of my better ideas.:confused3:

Well if you haven't used it I would say that it was doing it's job.

As far as the OP if you are anticipating using it as often as it sounds,
I would seriously consider a lower rpm diesel, 1800 rpm.
Diesel can be safely stored and has a decent shelve life.
I realize that many people seem to be happy with the 3600 rpm screamers,
I do not believe that they will last as well as the 1800 rpm units.

 

[groundcover]

If you go gas Honda the 6500eu is sweet, it only runs as hard as it needs to to supply needed power saving gas and reducing noise. If I go Kubota it will be a 1800rpm rig. Would love to get a Lincoln Vantage 300 with the Kubota but just don稚 lose power or weld enough to justify it. (And I seem to be able to justify a lot of stupid things !)
I do have a Lincoln Ranger 8 and a Honda 6500eu,either one can pretty much can run the whole house. A GenPro 6000 with a Lombardi diesel that you can hear two towns away and a couple of Honda 2000eu units.
Propane won?t go bad, pump gas is bad when you buy it ! Propane resupply can be an issue in an extended event or if roads are impassable. Diesel has a better shelf life and could be easier to find , can find home heating tanks in an emergency. I keep SEF94 in all my gas jobs with a supply of treated (Startron) fuel in 5gallon cans for an extended event. I?ll run that fuel through the vehicles in the spring.

 

[Hunter29]

If I were you...

Kubota 9,875 Watt Diesel Generator

 

[plowhog]

You might consider also shopping at norwall.com

They offer many models. The Winco listed in your table is 9,000 watts for about $4,7XX. Norwall has an LP Cummins generator, 20,000 watts, with auto transfer switch for about that price, a little less.

For backup generators I like LP if they are rarely used. The BTU output from LP is less than some other fuels, but ...... it doesn't go bad. If you need a generator, you don't need fuel hassles on top of the conditions requiring the generator.

 

[kcflhrc]

If money were no object then definitely the Honda. But I'm cheap and would probably do a Harbor Freight Model. I believe their biggest is 9000 watt MAX though. Which in an emergency, will run just about anything you need to survive. Propane generators really go through the propane, gas or diesel would be my choice. But I'm 10 minutes away from a gas station also.