Generator Selection?

[coobie]

I have heard of too many winter time LP issues. Again, are you a hands on person? Are you going to go out there with a pan of hot water and try and get it running, or just put in a call for service?

Again, how long the power is going to be out is something that drives me crazy. A while back during the BIG ice storm, no one was repairing anything. It was later revealed that all the "HYDRO" guys had booked off hunting that week.

I would rather a little generator that can run for weeks (or longer) on a little Diesel, than a Big unit that will only run for a few days.

H,mm funny I have LP and NEVER had a Issue in the winter.I live in Michigan where is gets pretty darn cold.

 

[grsthegreat]

10 years now on my generac 17kw whole house propane gen.No complaints, change the oil (full syn.) plugs and air filter.

i service alot of 10 year + generators every year. very few issues. when things occur there usually little things like Stepper motors or choke controls. fairly cheap parts. the only thing i dont like on the older units are the battery chargers. lots of separate parts. the newer units are integral with the controllers, and VERY rarely cause issues.

 

[grsthegreat]

I REALLY like the fact that Generac 13 & 16 KW units are now supplied with hydraulic valves. I am so sick and tired of adjusting valves. im not sure what there waiting for on the 22 and 24 KW units.

 

[coobie]

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?

My generac has run 7 days straight in a ice storm at least 3 times since my 10 years of ownership with NO issues.

 

[coobie]

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.

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

 

[coobie]

i service alot of 10 year + generators every year. very few issues. when things occur there usually little things like Stepper motors or choke controls. fairly cheap parts. the only thing i dont like on the older units are the battery chargers. lots of separate parts. the newer units are integral with the controllers, and VERY rarely cause issues.

One thing I learned the hard way is check the water every few months as the battery charger boils the water out of the battery.

 

[coobie]

I REALLY like the fact that Generac 13 & 16 KW units are now supplied with hydraulic valves. I am so sick and tired of adjusting valves. im not sure what there waiting for on the 22 and 24 KW units.

Adjusted the valves 2 times since new.

 

[grsthegreat]

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

i just looked at the receipt. mine was topped off 2 months ago...i was mistaking. but price was correct. i had price written down next to my computer screen because someone else was asking about propane cost in my area. usually our lowest price is in October. thats when ill top off the tank just for luck. unless Covid19 increases price. i dont really need to top it off.

i have a wifi sender unit in propane tank that alerts me when tank gets to 30%. when its covered in snow i didnt want to dig it out to look.

 

[grsthegreat]

Adjusted the valves 2 times since new.

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

 

[grsthegreat]

One thing I learned the hard way is check the water every few months as the battery charger boils the water out of the battery.

yup, that issue was solved with the smart chargers they install in the new Evolution controllers. No more battery explosions. I have had a few useless battery warming pads cause battery failures by boiling off liquid. i wont install them anymore. mine you, the one on my unit operates just fine. not a lick of fluid loss in battery.