Automatic whole house generator systems.

[Larry Caldwell]

The Gencor sounds like it would fit your needs if you moved it to a permanent location, installed a tri-fuel carburetor, and plumbed it to the NG supply. I have a 7000/6000w electric start propane unit that is always wired to the transfer switch and is always on a battery tender. Starting only requires turning on the propane valve, hitting the button, and flipping the transfer switch to generator.

One of your problems is not having a transfer switch. You could use the breaker panel to manage load instead of stringing extension cords everywhere. I assume the auto generator would also have an auto transfer switch? At the sizes you are talking, you might still need to do some load management.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

Very true, and think about all the happy customer's that don't leave reviews. Around here you can buy the Generac 22KW with the 200 amp transfer switch for roughly $5k. So to the OP they are getting you for $3k to $5k for installation. I would buy it myself and then find a local electrician to do it on the side for say maybe $1k

I think that's pretty reasonable. He is looking at a slab to mount the generator, separate trenching for electrical and NG, wiring and piping materials cost, plus electrician and plumber time. He might have to spring for a NG regulator with a larger orifice too.

 

[Fxfymn413]

I have a 16Kw propane powered Generac that we installed over 20 years ago. It does have an auto transfer switch, but it utilizes a sub-panel so the number of circuits it powers up are limited. It powers the well, wood stove, downstairs heat, freezers and fridges, and several light circuits. Considering that you will not use it very often IMO there is no reason to go to the expense of trying to run the whole house with it and we have never wished for additional circuits.

I do have a back up plan for those times when it is very hot out. We can use our RV powered by the Honda EU-200is we carry with us on trips to run the A/C. But we have never needed to do that as the basement stays cool for at least a couple of days.

I recently bought a 14Kw for our second home and it uses the transfer switch that goes between the meter and the panel so it powers up any and all circuits and uses power management modules to control the load. I think this is a superior system. I had to keep my eye on the web site for months until they came in and right after I ordered mine they were back in the out of stock mode.

I self installed and the cost of the generator was around $4K plus another $400 or so for installation items.

If you can try to set the generator as far from the house as you practically can. It will cost you more to install, but once installed the noise will be almost impossible to hear.

One other factor to consider when selecting the generator's output is the cost of installation. Higher outputs require bigger fuel line and heavier wire gauges so it is prudent to only get what you need, not what you want.

 

[5030]

I have a Generac 30 KW diesel powered and it's been without fault for over 10 years now. I recommend them.

 

[bcs001]

Considering that Generac allegedly has a 70% market share, it probably has 70% of the online complaints. If you have a tiny market share, your complaints will also be tiny.

That's a very fair statement and I am seriously considering Generac for my equipment but just because the % of market share is high and the # of good and bad reviews are equally high as compared to a less popular brand, an engine failure is an engine failure. I don't necessarily compare the # of complaints but rather the types of failures described. Many are due to poor installation and maintenance but when there is a credible report of a problem, no matter how much market share it has, it should be taken into consideration. I think decisions based on popularity of a particular item isn't always the best choice. And to reiterate, I may very well choose Generac but there does seem to be credible reports of air cooled engine issues.

 

[jaydee325]

September 2021 install by a SW Michigan Generac Dealer:

Generac 22KW, 200A switch, pad, and battery: $6140.94 (includes 6% MI sales tax)

Installation: $2200 (included labor, cable, conduit and aggregate to support the pad and $150 electrical permit)

Total: $8,340.94

Plus about $500 to bury LP line from existing LP tank to generator. This included hand digging to bury the line due to proximity to other buried utilities.

This install was super convenient and involved only 3 phone calls on my part. One to schedule a dealer rep to come out and provide an estimate and one call to schedule and one call to schedule LP install. Everyone showed up on time and did top notch work.

At the time of the install (Sept 2021), the techs commented that they were scheduled out into 2022 for installs and some were spring of 2022 due to unavailability of generator units.

 

[5030]

I quit putting much credence in online reviews on anything. It seems to me that most are a bit jilted. I've had zero issues with my Generac diesel standby and it's always there if I need it. I bet we have the only place on the road that has one. Every time we have a utility failure, all you can hear is the din of those cheap box store genny's screaming along at 3600 rpm. The noise is irritating. It goes about it's business, quietly and efficiently and only requires regular maintenance just like any engine does. it's plumbed into my 500 gallon bulk tank so plenty of fuel available at all times.

 

[TheMan419]

The Gencor sounds like it would fit your needs if you moved it to a permanent location, installed a tri-fuel carburetor, and plumbed it to the NG supply. I have a 7000/6000w electric start propane unit that is always wired to the transfer switch and is always on a battery tender. Starting only requires turning on the propane valve, hitting the button, and flipping the transfer switch to generator.

One of your problems is not having a transfer switch. You could use the breaker panel to manage load instead of stringing extension cords everywhere. I assume the auto generator would also have an auto transfer switch? At the sizes you are talking, you might still need to do some load management.

Yep, we have almost this set up. We do not leave the generator hooked to the transfer switch. Have to wheel it into position, plug it in and fire it up. Not that huge of a deal. The wheel part is over concrete and under cover so not snow covered or icy. We run on gasoline but the next one will be a tri-fuel or have a tri-fuel carb installed. Also would have to get NG supply run out to the right spot.

Not having a transfer switch would make the whole thing really a lot of work. Having that wired makes it so simple.

 

[ponytug]

Like @RSKY, we needed to do something that was more automatic, and doable by my spouse. Hauling extension cords around and moving refrigerators is something that she can do, but for her the physics aren't in her favor.

We went the other way, and added batteries to our solar. January 1st, our solar is a measly 3-6kWh/day, but we can make it a week or ten days on that, using whatever is in the batteries when the power fails. On idle, the house uses 0.3-0.5kW, but with a little trimming we can get it down to 0.1kW. From March to October, we could probably be out indefinitely.

For us, adding a transfer switch alone was $6-8k, due to the need to upgrade the main panel, meter, and breakers, but definitely a YMMV item. The panel was 45+ years old.

My rather elderly neighbor had a 22kW Generac put in last year. The local installer wasn't very good, and I went over to help out. I was impressed at the depth of controls that Generac is putting in on the new units. There are a few requirements (gas line size, layout, regulators, and specialty cable) that you need to be aware of, but beyond that, I would say that there are good reasons why Generac has that large of a market share. The next level up installer came from 100 miles away several times until the generator worked as specified, and needed. Personally, I would be choosing a generator by the quality of the local service agent. That is the person that will be coming to fix your generator after the hurricane/earthquake/tornado/ice storm.

As far as reliability goes, a generator has all the complexity of a car engine, plus the AC generator and control electronics. It ain't simple, and it sure isn't an install it and forget it. No matter who makes it, it will require TLC. If you need it to work, make sure it gets exercised regularly, that you service it before your high need season, and don't forget to check inside regularly to make sure that your local mice (bees, wasps, whatever) aren't having a housewarming party. I neglected to run one of mine for six months or so, and couldn't get it started, but mercifully it turned out to be some bad gas. Easy fix. I do stock filters, oil, and voltage regulators for my generators, just in case.

All the best,

Peter

 

[LittleBill21]

Not having a transfer switch would make the whole thing really a lot of work. Having that wired makes it so simple.

not really, buying a interlock kit, and marking the breakers, your talking the difference of maybe a minute. it comes down to how often you expect to do this process