Getting a whole house genny installed...

[murphy1244]

There's nothing wrong with exercising your generator by killing the main breaker and simulating an outage. If it gives you peace of mind or if you learn something along the way, all the better.

Mine goes through a 20 minute exercise every week.

 

[coldsteelva]

They all have a power on self-test procedure, but I meant a true, shut down your utility power for 24 hours kind of exercise

 

[murphy1244]

They all have a power on self-test procedure, but I meant a true, shut down your utility power for 24 hours kind of exercise

Here that happens at least once a year.:laughing:

 

[Code54]

I put a 20kw B/S with the 10 year parts/labor/service call warranty, 200A outdoor meter head transfer switch, 75' of wire run to generator unit (keeps the noise way down), 500 gallon propane tank installed (future rental cost is $36 a year), all piping, regulators, filled tank, and 2 load shedding switching with everything installed - 8K. Only thing I did was poured a pad for the generator and dug the trench for the wire from the unit to the transfer switch on the house.

 

[YanmarFever]

We have a diesel yanmar unit 12 KW to power our home. It runs the air cond, the well, kitchen, master br and security system.
It runs at 1800 rpm and is very quiet, its both 3 phase and single phase. It will run all day on about 3 gallons of diesel. The electrician charged us about 1200 to wire it up properly. I already had the transfer switch.
Im happy with it and that's all that matters...

 

[RoyJackson]

We have a diesel yanmar unit 12 KW to power our home. It runs the air cond, the well, kitchen, master br and security system.
It runs at 1800 rpm and is very quiet, its both 3 phase and single phase. It will run all day on about 3 gallons of diesel. The electrician charged us about 1200 to wire it up properly. I already had the transfer switch.
Im happy with it and that's all that matters...

What did the genny cost you?

You know, I really like Yanmar engines...and I've thought about finding an older Deere or Yanmar compact, pull the engine (and the PTO gearing) and get a generator head.
I'm probably not skilled enough, but that would be one way to get a powerful (18kW to 20kW) diesel generator at a fairly reasonable cost.

 

[dragoneggs]

What did the genny cost you?

You know, I really like Yanmar engines...and I've thought about finding an older Deere or Yanmar compact, pull the engine (and the PTO gearing) and get a generator head.
I'm probably not skilled enough, but that would be one way to get a powerful (18kW to 20kW) diesel generator at a fairly reasonable cost.

Roy if you do that... I want to see the DIY thread. Sounds like a great project!

 

[Toyboy]

My 20kw Generac running on NG cost about $5,500 total. I see prices vary widely depending on where you live.

 

[Code54]

They really do - there also is a LOT of variance in how it is installed. Concrete pad vs plastic, distance to transfer switch, type of transfer switch, did you need a tank installed and filled, length of piping to gas source, did you use risers or just cap the line in, load shedding switches used, etc.....

 

[Wakey]

Nice job on the wiring, very clean.

I believe you said you install Generac.. If so, do you know what a close color match is for the enclosure of the Guardian generator? I just had a 22KW unit installed and the monkey's nicked the paint unbolting the unit from the crate. I'd prefer to get a rattle can if I could, I don't really care to deal with these people if I don't have to.

The manual says what kind of oil to use, but no mention of a # for the filters. They have maintenance kits but these are generally a bit more expensive.

Is there an awesome forum like TBN where people discuss all things generator?

Thanks!

not all generators are easy to install. i did this one yesterday and it was a pain. problem was he had a 400 amp service and only wanted one side controlled, but he also had a well control he wanted added. in order to add 20 amp well to a 200 amp service i not only had to add a transfer switch, but had to add a 200 amp feed thru panel so i could add the well. then i had to add a gutter ( j box) and reroute the feed to the house.made for a cluttered install but i can see no other way to do it. The inspector loved it. Original panel are first 2 pictures. If you notice all the writing, the original owner had a suicide manual transfer system installed.....no interlocks.
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These are install pics

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