Generator Selection?

[BrkMstr]

I've got a 22KW Generac whole house propane like cdaigle got a 10yr warranty - runs 5 mins every Saturday morning (that's all Generac wanted to set it for) so far not an issue - does what it's supposed to do......

 

[Diggin It]

Fior those that have them, what about extended outages ... days, weeks ... ??? I've lost power twice for 10 days and several other times for a day or more.

If you had a service/warranty issue, how was it handled?

Did you install your own?

 

[BrkMstr]

The 22KW will run for weeks, as long as you feed it, it will run! We put in a 500gal underground tank - I have a service agreement with the company that sold / installed it - 500gal's will last several days full household use - dependent on how you use it, it could easily go longer - we have not had a problem in getting propane - the propane company is our oil company as well - during any major event they have to be out as many are dependent on the fuel for heat - if they can't make it out many will have problems. The service contract also covers emergency call outs - have not had to use them for that so I can't say if it works!!!

 

[grsthegreat]

That's a great score. But not for everyone. I like it when the power goes out. Gives me a chance to use all my resources, see what works and what doesn't. When the power comes back on again, I have usually had enough of playing around, managing loads and so forth. Big difference from a Turn-Key whole house system, but you put a lot of faith in that.

Also, I have siad it a million times before. Not knowing when the power will come back on is the worst part, you can't plan for. You wouldn't want your whole house 10KW or so, system running all night long, to power a fridge and freezer, if you thought maybe the power was going to be out for weeks and fuel delivery might be an issue.

Personally, my first requirment would be a generator, I can see, touch and work on. Not a Tin can with some ,Diagnostic display or LEDS, Some phone Ap would be the last thing on my list.

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7.5 KW, Onan/Kubota set that is currently my primary backup.

like i said...everyones wants are different. On my own unit i manually shut it down if power is out and i Am Hitting the sack. I dont need it running while sleeping. The fridge and freezer can easily go 8 hours with no real loss of cold. The transfer switch will auto swap to utility if its restored even with unit shut off. The reason i installed a 1,000 gal buried tank of fuel is the not knowing part.

 

[grsthegreat]

A 22 kw generac is actually more fuel efficient than their 16 kw units, because there usually running at less of a load than their smaller cousin. Ive tested mine with a gauge and known quantity of fuel, and i average 2 gal per hour...average.

I am a certified Generac service tech so im biased, but that being said i have never had a claim denied by generac for a unit under warranty.... except for a few that i did not even try to submit. One for a melted control panel because they enclosed an air cooled unit, and a crushed roof because of snow shedding off of roof (poor choice of placing unit on low side of metal roof...owner install). That being said, wether you install it or someone else. Make sure there is a service tech nearby. Generac wont send you parts or pay you to repair your own unit. It has to be thru approved service company.

 

[Diggin It]

I am a certified Generac service tech ....

Oh man, you shuddin't a said that, cuz now I'm gonna pick your brain clean!!!


Unless you say I can't.


I've pulled the PDF of the install manual for the 13Kw unit and read through some of it and a few things have caught my eye.

 

[TractorGuy]

WOW! Just searched the cost of bulk propane and the results was $4 to $8 per gallon. At two gallons per hour that's some expensive power.

My diesel runs between .5 to .7 gallons per hour.

 

[grsthegreat]

such as

 

[grsthegreat]

WOW! Just searched the cost of bulk propane and the results was $4 to $8 per gallon. At two gallons per hour that's some expensive power.

My diesel runs between .5 to .7 gallons per hour.

i just filled my tanks ...$1.18 per gallon. man, it sucks where u live. but also remember, im generating 22,000 watts. probably using 15,000 at any one time. i have a real time power usage app hooked onto mine with a product called genmon.

 

[coobie]

10 years now on my generac 17kw whole house propane gen.No complaints, change the oil (full syn.) plugs and air filter.

 

[coobie]

I have heard of too many winter time LP issues. Again, are you a hands on person? Are you going to go out there with a pan of hot water and try and get it running, or just put in a call for service?

Again, how long the power is going to be out is something that drives me crazy. A while back during the BIG ice storm, no one was repairing anything. It was later revealed that all the "HYDRO" guys had booked off hunting that week.

I would rather a little generator that can run for weeks (or longer) on a little Diesel, than a Big unit that will only run for a few days.

H,mm funny I have LP and NEVER had a Issue in the winter.I live in Michigan where is gets pretty darn cold.

 

[grsthegreat]

10 years now on my generac 17kw whole house propane gen.No complaints, change the oil (full syn.) plugs and air filter.

i service alot of 10 year + generators every year. very few issues. when things occur there usually little things like Stepper motors or choke controls. fairly cheap parts. the only thing i dont like on the older units are the battery chargers. lots of separate parts. the newer units are integral with the controllers, and VERY rarely cause issues.

 

[grsthegreat]

I REALLY like the fact that Generac 13 & 16 KW units are now supplied with hydraulic valves. I am so sick and tired of adjusting valves. im not sure what there waiting for on the 22 and 24 KW units.

 

[coobie]

Fior those that have them, what about extended outages ... days, weeks ... ??? I've lost power twice for 10 days and several other times for a day or more.

If you had a service/warranty issue, how was it handled?

Did you install your own?

My generac has run 7 days straight in a ice storm at least 3 times since my 10 years of ownership with NO issues.

 

[coobie]

WOW! Just searched the cost of bulk propane and the results was $4 to $8 per gallon. At two gallons per hour that's some expensive power.

My diesel runs between .5 to .7 gallons per hour.

Funny just topped my 1000 gal.tank for 95 cents per gallon.

 

[coobie]

i service alot of 10 year + generators every year. very few issues. when things occur there usually little things like Stepper motors or choke controls. fairly cheap parts. the only thing i dont like on the older units are the battery chargers. lots of separate parts. the newer units are integral with the controllers, and VERY rarely cause issues.

One thing I learned the hard way is check the water every few months as the battery charger boils the water out of the battery.

 

[coobie]

I REALLY like the fact that Generac 13 & 16 KW units are now supplied with hydraulic valves. I am so sick and tired of adjusting valves. im not sure what there waiting for on the 22 and 24 KW units.

Adjusted the valves 2 times since new.

 

[grsthegreat]

Funny just topped my 1000 gal.tank for 95 cents per gallon.

i just looked at the receipt. mine was topped off 2 months ago...i was mistaking. but price was correct. i had price written down next to my computer screen because someone else was asking about propane cost in my area. usually our lowest price is in October. thats when ill top off the tank just for luck. unless Covid19 increases price. i dont really need to top it off.

i have a wifi sender unit in propane tank that alerts me when tank gets to 30%. when its covered in snow i didnt want to dig it out to look.

 

[grsthegreat]

Adjusted the valves 2 times since new.

its not hard to do....but multiple that by 100's i see each year. sick of it.

but a simple valve adjustment cures a myriad of problems that occur. i had one customer call me about a 10+ year old generator that he wanted replaced. said it had no compression. i came out and sure enough, 0 compression. i adjusted valves and it fired right up. 180# compression. best money he ever spent for that service call. saved him $1000's

 

[grsthegreat]

One thing I learned the hard way is check the water every few months as the battery charger boils the water out of the battery.

yup, that issue was solved with the smart chargers they install in the new Evolution controllers. No more battery explosions. I have had a few useless battery warming pads cause battery failures by boiling off liquid. i wont install them anymore. mine you, the one on my unit operates just fine. not a lick of fluid loss in battery.