Generac 48kw generator: DOA, Generac unable to repair/not helpful

[TimP]

I'm anxiously looking forward to the resolution of this install problem.

 

[grsthegreat]

No problem. **** i even learned something about generators on this thread. Kinda pissed that generac did this change and i never heard anything about it. I listen to all their webcasts to dealers. Maybe i was hitting the refrig when it was mentioned....who knows. I do know that Generac has been working overtime to manufacture their own engines going forward on alot of the water cooled units. There also changing air cooled engines. Last year the 13 And 16 KW units were changed to hydraulic valve units. They will be coming out with hydraulic valves on the 20-24 kw air cooled units soon...or so they say.. they just introduced the 24 kw air cooled line.

 

[ponytug]

That sounds great that Generac is improving the engines so much. It is no small feat these days to roll out new engine systems that are emissions compliant, reliable and fuel efficient.

While I get a certain satisfaction opening valve covers and readjusting valves, personally, I love hydraulic valves. For me it is in the set it and forget it category.

My neighbor sent a letter to installer, asking him to clean up the plumbing to the right size and length pipe, check that the ECU and control software is up to date, and then adjust the regulators under load. I don't have an ETA, but I will let you know how it goes. I feel as if enough issues were identified that there seems to be a solution on the table.

Thanks to the manuals, I did the math on the fuel consumption and pointed out to her that at full load the 48kw unit was going to go through most of a tank of propane in 2 1/2 days, so she is thinking about upgrading her propane tank. I chalk that up as a win. In a major outage, nobody out in the boonies is going to get a propane refill.

All the best,

Peter

 

[kc5dlo]

Years ago I remember lots of problems with a new line of larger boilers. It turned out to be the length of pipe between the unit and the regulator. I bet once the installation is corrected and double checked, she will be in good shape.

 

[ultrarunner]

Would see the same when new models vehicles... always revisions and just hope engineering was on it.

The Lemon Law really made inroads with automobiles... so many days out of service and/or repair attempts under manufacturer warranty often resulted in Buy Backs to consumers.

 

[ponytug]

Would see the same when new models vehicles... always revisions and just hope engineering was on it.

The Lemon Law really made inroads with automobiles... so many days out of service and/or repair attempts under manufacturer warranty often resulted in Buy Backs to consumers.

I agree. I looked into her legal options in California, and absent a lemon law, the bar seems to be basically danger, I.e. explosions, fire, electrocution (I'm not a lawyer, don't play one on TV, etc.). That's not the issue here.

I would say that I have been impressed with Generac in the past, and digging into this particular problem, I do think that this looks like less like a generator issue, and more like an installation snafu, with multiple missteps, some issues perhaps new due to this particular unit, and others, well... I am reminded of troubleshooting engines, which usually starts with "Is there fuel in the tank?".

All the best,

Peter

 

[ponytug]

Years ago I remember lots of problems with a new line of larger boilers. It turned out to be the length of pipe between the unit and the regulator. I bet once the installation is corrected and double checked, she will be in good shape.

That's my sincere hope as well.

All the best,

Peter

 

[Sigarms]

I agree. I looked into her legal options in California, and absent a lemon law, the bar seems to be basically danger, I.e. explosions, fire, electrocution (I'm not a lawyer, don't play one on TV, etc.). That's not the issue here.

I would say that I have been impressed with Generac in the past, and digging into this particular problem, I do think that this looks like less like a generator issue, and more like an installation snafu, with multiple missteps, some issues perhaps new due to this particular unit, and others, well... I am reminded of troubleshooting engines, which usually starts with "Is there fuel in the tank?".

All the best,

Peter

This is why I stay away from techical issues on the internet when I'm somewhat familiar with the product and perhaps what the issue may be..

I've dealt with Generac personally on numerous occasions in the past from a business standpoint. Overall, honestly, I have not been impressed at how they are trying to go to market.

That said, for a "dealer" to get certified to sell and service Generac, I have been impressed. It takes time and money to stock the repair parts that Generac wants their dealers to keep on hand and they HAVE to take training.

When I read your first post per this thread, my thought is the issue should be going through the installing contractor first and not online.

THIS is why contractors get certified to sell a certain product line. They are supposed to be the "experts", and although they may not be the cheapest price in town to do a job, they should know what they are doing and you should expect it to be done right the first time.

All that said, you're a good man for trying to help your elderly neighbors.

I'd crucify the contractor because that's what these elderly people paid for and I feel like they could of done a crappy job for what they were paid to do.

 

[Sigarms]

We are in the boonies, so it's LPG. I did advise her to get a large, separate tank installed just for the generator.

A generator is nice, but it can go through the fuel. Being that we're on LP, when I looked at the fuel consumption for my own home, I decided not to buy one for the "whole house" because it wouldn't last me very long even with a 500 gallon tank.

Then, even if your on NG, the question becomes how does a power outage affect your fuel access over long periods of time?

Kind of 6 of 1 half a dozen of the other if you want to run individual appliances IMO per your out of pocket expense vs ROI.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

Diesel engines have a much lower impact of reduced load compared with ignition engines. So, you do get significantly reduced fuel consumption with load reductions. Most non-inverter generators are constant RPM units. Inverter units have much greater abilities to throttle down, and reduce fuel consumption. The trouble with underloaded diesels is that they are prone to wet stacking (carbonizing condensate in the exhaust).

Do you see problems with an appropriately sized diesel engine? I can see that using a 150 hp tractor to run a 24 kw PTO generator would be a problem, but doubt that using a 30 hp. tractor would run you into wet stacking, particularly since a diesel would always be running at an RPM that puts it near the peak of its HP curve. The governor just injects more or less fuel to maintain that RPM, so diesels normally run lean except when under full load.

How long at idle does it take for exhaust deposits to become a problem? I've been operating diesel heavy equipment for 60 years, and have never encountered anything resembling wet stacking.