Generator Selection?

BrkMstr · Aug 25, 2020

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 · Aug 25, 2020

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 · Aug 25, 2020

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 · Aug 25, 2020

Industrial Toys said:
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 · Aug 25, 2020

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 · Aug 25, 2020

grsthegreat said:
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 · Aug 25, 2020

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 · Aug 25, 2020

such as

grsthegreat · Aug 25, 2020

TractorGuy said:
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.