Generator Selection?

[coobie]

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

You need to move closer to me in Michigan.LOL...What is the life span of the unit? Mine has low hours.

 

[grsthegreat]

You need to move closer to me in Michigan.LOL...

naaaa. i love Idaho. Winters arnt too brutal, low humidity and not too hot of summers.

 

[coobie]

naaaa. i love Idaho. Winters arnt too brutal, low humidity and not too hot of summers.

Asked another question what is the life span of the generac?Mine has low hours of use.

 

[Diggin It]

such as

They call for 3/4" gas line. I only have 1/2" installed. How much of a problem?

They talk about an Auxiliary Shutdown switch, but say not to use it as it 'will cause damage'. What kind of damage?

They say not to connect a flexible gas line directly to the inlet, but to use some sort of adapter. Clarify?

 

[Diggin It]

I can't recall LP being over $2, maybe $2.50 at the most.

Considering an SLA battery.

I noticed the valve issue also.

Thinking about some of the add on items for monitoring. Not sure if I need them at the prices I'm seeing.

 

[grsthegreat]

Asked another question what is the life span of the generac?Mine has low hours of use.

i service units that are over 20 years old.
all depends on service. they say there 3,000 run hour engines, but i work on ones that have over that. mine is nearing 4 years ond, had 32 hours on it. i serviced one today thats 1.5 years ols, had 95 hours on it.

 

[grsthegreat]

They call for 3/4" gas line. I only have 1/2" installed. How much of a problem?

They talk about an Auxiliary Shutdown switch, but say not to use it as it 'will cause damage'. What kind of damage?

They say not to connect a flexible gas line directly to the inlet, but to use some sort of adapter. Clarify?

depends on weather your propane or nat gas. also depends on size of generator and distance from secondary pressure regulator. i try to install generators as close to gas regulator as possible. if its propane, we try to T off BEFORE the house regulator and run a 3/4" high pressure (10#) to within 10 feet of generator. then add a secondary regulator and pipe to generator using 1" pipe. i use the included 3/4" gas flex line going from generator to my rigid gas pipe. our inspectors want to see a 3/4" x 4" nipple out of generator, then the 18" stainless gas flex that generac includes, then a shut off valve, then run to regulator.

the auxiliary shut down switch is an emergency shut down switch to be used by fire/emergency crews. required by NEC because switch to =shut down generator is locked away inside generator. wont cause any damage if only used a few time. problem is you should always first drop the load being powered first, let gen run for a minute unloaded than shut down. but if theres an emergency like a fire, who cares.

 

[TractorGuy]

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

Maybe Google got it wrong. Either that or the gas companies are gouging down here.

 

[grsthegreat]

I can't recall LP being over $2, maybe $2.50 at the most.

Considering an SLA battery.

I noticed the valve issue also.

Thinking about some of the add on items for monitoring. Not sure if I need them at the prices I'm seeing.

generac allows the use of any group 26 lead acid battery. sealed are recommended to change every 3 years. unsealed every 5 years.
the newer generators can also use AGM style batteries as the battery compartment is larger.

i use the Genmon monitoring system myself, but that can not be used on new Generac units as the new units are encrypted. that being said, generac 2.0 evolution units have built in WIFI thats free (basic monitoring) or for $49/year they have expanded monitoring. need a good wifi signal at unit.

no matter what system you use, you cannot stop a generator wireless during a power outage. you can only do that manually at the generator.... unless your an electronics genius that wants to build a relay, contactors, load shedding, etc.

 

[Diggin It]

depends on weather your propane or nat gas. also depends on size of generator and distance from secondary pressure regulator. i try to install generators as close to gas regulator as possible. if its propane, we try to T off BEFORE the house regulator and run a 3/4" high pressure (10#) to within 10 feet of generator. then add a secondary regulator and pipe to generator using 1" pipe. i use the included 3/4" gas flex line going from generator to my rigid gas pipe. our inspectors want to see a 3/4" x 4" nipple out of generator, then the 18" stainless gas flex that generac includes, then a shut off valve, then run to regulator.

I have 1/2" from the 500 gallon tank. There is a regulator right behind where the genset will sit. That one goes into the house for the furnace and stove. I plan on having another regulator installed in the main line for the genset only. I'm looking at the 13K, but may still go smaller.