5000W Generator Recommendations

[fatjay]

I used a 50a breaker and an interlock kit. much easier and cheaper.

 

[ponytug]

It's my understanding that Generac makes their own purpose built engines in Wisconsin for the home and commercial standby units. Not sure about the portables.

I'm looking at whole house now for what I might not be able to do in a few years. I can mess around with cords and fueling a portable now, but how much longer will I be able to?

That said, I'm a bit irritated at them for missing two shipping dates now for the transfer switch.

Sorry to hear that they have missed some shipping dates. Perhaps they are having trouble with lower Uncton? (Just kidding) With Covid and all, they are buried under orders, so things are slipping. Someone posted on another thread that they had a backlog of 80,000 odd generators in July.

All the best,

Peter

 

[grsthegreat]

Generac isnt only backlogged on generators, there backlogged on parts. I ordered some voltage regulators and battery chargers from then 3 weeks Ago, snd still have not shipped. Its getting old.

 

[daugen]

If you have a UPS for your computer system, I'd be less worried about having the highest spec power, though I rarely read where this is an issue any more with
modern regulation. Real problem is overpowering the unit where sine waves start getting chopped off, not good for what is being powered.
I have had two whole house Generacs and they were flawless. I now rent and am waiting on a 10kw dual fuel Honeywell. This will be my third Honeywell, have no idea who makes
their Chonda engines but they have been very reliable and well made. If you can get a Generac with a US made motor, I'd put that right up with Honda for most applications.
Having a rpm drop down under light load is a very nice feature to have, saves fuel and wear and tear.

Pretty unanimous opinions here that if you can power with propane, you will have a lot less problems down the road.
If you power with only gasoline, absolutely only use ethanol free fuel if you can get it.

 

[Diggin It]

Again, the major issue with LP is availability. If roads are closed due to storm damage, trucks can't deliver. Even smaller Whole house standby units require at least 100 lb bottles which most people don't have on hand or the ability to transport to filling stations. For the 13Kw+ units many of us would consider, you'd need a 500 gallon tank.

 

[daugen]

Again, the major issue with LP is availability. If roads are closed due to storm damage, trucks can't deliver. Even smaller Whole house standby units require at least 100 lb bottles which most people don't have on hand or the ability to transport to filling stations. For the 13Kw+ units many of us would consider, you'd need a 500 gallon tank.

Agreed, but depends upon size of gen. My 9500W/8500W on propane will run off a 20# tank for 7 hours. Factory advertising show unit hooked up accordingly.
My intentions are to have twin 30# tanks hooked together, with E0 gasoline as backup. 30# tanks heaviest I can pick up with bad back...
Sure was spoiled by 1000 gallon propane tank on my farm.