Comparison Home Stand By Generators

[daugen]

I have a question about adjusting the valve lash on a Generac/Vanguard engine.
Does the Generac approved installer actually know how to do that or is he "just an electrician"?
Since when did electricians adjust valves? So then, who to get that will do it competently and actually come out to your home? I'd be worried about someone leaving it worse than he found it if he has little experience doing this.

One of the things not mentioned here is the exhaust heat of these units. I melted a six foot area of garden flowers when the unit ran during an outage and not just on test. Higher rpm under pretty full load, lot more heat getting pumped out, make sure nothing is living within six feet of that exhaust end or your local gardener is not going to be happy.

 

[K man]

generac enclosures are UL rated for installation 18" from house..... its LISTED. you can always place them further if you want. also propane co here wants 10' distance from tank and building codes require 5' min clearance from any opening into house.

ive services generac units 15 years old and still working great. if there maintained, they just keep working.

adjust the valve lash after the first 50 hours is a big helpo

Thank you Sir now I feel a little bit better about my installation. My Generac was install by the book, rules and regulations. 18" from a wall and 10' from the tank and the distance required from windows, air inlet etc. Maybe I will move the tank away from the house to ease some people around here who think it is too close to the generator. Thanks again for your positive response.

 

[K man]

I have a question about adjusting the valve lash on a Generac/Vanguard engine.
Does the Generac approved installer actually know how to do that or is he "just an electrician"?
Since when did electricians adjust valves? So then, who to get that will do it competently and actually come out to your home? I'd be worried about someone leaving it worse than he found it if he has little experience doing this.

One of the things not mentioned here is the exhaust heat of these units. I melted a six foot area of garden flowers when the unit ran during an outage and not just on test. Higher rpm under pretty full load, lot more heat getting pumped out, make sure nothing is living within six feet of that exhaust end or your local gardener is not going to be happy.

Not sure if the installer should be the one to adjust your valves but I am sure some are very mechanically inclined to do so. I know my installer will come and do the maintenance when required but no need as I am capable of servicing my own. I have been doing my own small engine repairs for years and these generator engines are just that.
Valve adjustments are relatively easy to do especially on engine where the head valves are positioned at the front of the engine and at easy access. All you need is a wrench, valve gauge and the owners manual or go online and see a video on how to do it.
As for the distance of any objects or vegetation should me 10' or more away from the exhaust.

 

[Toyboy]

In my case the dealer/installer was only allowed to do just that. Generac has to certify (?) the mechanical side of it. The dealer that installed mine was only able to work on the electrical side of it. He had even requested Generac to train/certify him on the mechanical aspects, but request was rejected. My mechanical service has to come from 60 mi away (charge mileage both ways) which is stupid on Generac's part. I even sent them a nasty email about that, but got no response back.

My advise is, whatever brand you purchase, make sure that the dealer/store can provide complete service if you ever need it.

 

[K man]

I just checked with my Generac dealer and he says that his company is certified by Generac to do all maintenance and repairs on their generators. Bonus to know.

 

[grsthegreat]

I have a question about adjusting the valve lash on a Generac/Vanguard engine.
Does the Generac approved installer actually know how to do that or is he "just an electrician"?
Since when did electricians adjust valves? So then, who to get that will do it competently and actually come out to your home? I'd be worried about someone leaving it worse than he found it if he has little experience doing this.

One of the things not mentioned here is the exhaust heat of these units. I melted a six foot area of garden flowers when the unit ran during an outage and not just on test. Higher rpm under pretty full load, lot more heat getting pumped out, make sure nothing is living within six feet of that exhaust end or your local gardener is not going to be happy.

generac certifies the installers (whoever they are) after a 3 day hands on class in air cooled generator service.

 

[hr3]

We are a what Generac calls a "Elite Dealer service center" We have been trained on propane units up to 150 kw..

There are lots of installers out there but never service what they sell

 

[hr3]

We are a what Generac calls a "Elite Dealer service center" We have been trained on propane units up to 150 kw..

There are lots of installers out there but never service what they sell

 

[piercedtiger]

I've thought about a stand-by generator, but the portable one I got has been so much more useful. I use it mainly to run power tools (like table saws) or my welder that don't run well in the barn. Previous owners only ran a single 110v line to the barn, and everything is run through a single light switch. I bought a bigger air compressor to use out there, and it trips the overload switch on the motor without even spinning up so that's in the basement now with 120ft of air hose.

I've also loaned it to inlaws during a 3 day outage, a co-worker that lost power during the 2011 flood, and another co-worker that needed to power tools and pumps at his house after the 2011 flood went 2ft up his walls. So really, other people have used my generator more than I have! :laughing: My inlaws bought their own shortly thereafter so I don't have to let the borrow it anymore.

 

[piercedtiger]

I've thought about a stand-by generator, but the portable one I got has been so much more useful. I use it mainly to run power tools (like table saws) or my welder that don't run well in the barn. Previous owners only ran a single 110v line to the barn, and everything is run through a single light switch. I bought a bigger air compressor to use out there, and it trips the overload switch on the motor without even spinning up so that's in the basement now with 120ft of air hose.

I've also loaned it to inlaws during a 3 day outage, a co-worker that lost power during the 2011 flood, and another co-worker that needed to power tools and pumps at his house after the 2011 flood went 2ft up his walls. So really, other people have used my generator more than I have! :laughing: My inlaws bought their own shortly thereafter so I don't have to let the borrow it anymore.