Comparison Home Stand By Generators

[jacspath]

We get [after living here for 23 years, I have a pretty good set of statistics for this area] about 10-12 outage [of more than a few minutes] per year. They usually last long enough to get my wife antsy about getting some power back [so she can take a shower or feel confident in opening the fridge] so we are happy to have a manual [but with a battery starter since she can't pull the cord well enough to get our old Coleman camp unit started] 7500w unit. The most important outages are in the winter time, of course, even though we heat mostly with wood which takes no electricity. Each person has to make their own set of decisions depending on their situation and their [or their spouses] desires.

 

[MossRoad]

Why the rolling eyes? Maybe some people have it better figured out than you do.

Then why won't they post what they know? Hmmmm.....

 

[Garandman]

Thanks again, K man, I was looking over on the right-hand side of the page. I did later look at the left-hand side display, whereby you could choose specific brands, and I looked up Kohler, and the 14 RES and the 20 RES seem to have cold starting problems. Mine is the (now discontinued) 17 RES, and I am wondering if maybe these newer 14 and 20 kw generators have gone downhill since I bought my 17 kw in 2010. I have never had a problem cold starting with my 17 RES, even at 20 below or colder.

No I think it demonstrates why they are sold through dealers. There is a carb heater kit that is supposed to be sold when installed in cold climates: forget what "cold" is in the manual. The local dealer always installs it though it is technically an option.

While there is some cheerleading for Generac here, locally they are the "low bidder" systems. I asked builders and others who specify generators (but don't have any sales interest) and they were pretty unanimous for Kohler over Generac. Cummins/Onan seems to make a 14kw unit but no one was familiar with them. The only other brand suggested was B&S.

 

[Garandman]

Thanks again, K man, I was looking over on the right-hand side of the page. I did later look at the left-hand side display, whereby you could choose specific brands, and I looked up Kohler, and the 14 RES and the 20 RES seem to have cold starting problems. Mine is the (now discontinued) 17 RES, and I am wondering if maybe these newer 14 and 20 kw generators have gone downhill since I bought my 17 kw in 2010. I have never had a problem cold starting with my 17 RES, even at 20 below or colder.

No I think it demonstrates why they are sold through dealers. There is a carb heater kit that is supposed to be sold when installed in cold climates: forget what "cold" is in the manual. The local dealer always installs it though it is technically an option.

While there is some cheerleading for Generac here, locally they are the "low bidder" systems. I asked builders and others who specify generators (but don't have any sales interest) and they were pretty unanimous for Kohler over Generac. Cummins/Onan seems to make a 14kw unit but no one was familiar with them. The only other brand suggested was B&S. Obviously doesn't mean Generac is "bad" and there are a lot of them around.

 

[GManBart]

No I think it demonstrates why they are sold through dealers. There is a carb heater kit that is supposed to be sold when installed in cold climates: forget what "cold" is in the manual. The local dealer always installs it though it is technically an option.

While there is some cheerleading for Generac here, locally they are the "low bidder" systems. I asked builders and others who specify generators (but don't have any sales interest) and they were pretty unanimous for Kohler over Generac. Cummins/Onan seems to make a 14kw unit but no one was familiar with them. The only other brand suggested was B&S.

I priced similar (as much as possible) Kohler and Generac units and there was essentially no price difference. I talked with three or four suppliers, three electricians who regularly install standby units, and read reviews for days. There were far more reviews of the Generac units, they tended to have better reviews, and the people I talked to said they preferred Generac to Kohler, but they would install either one I wanted.

At the same price point, there has to be a reason why so many more Generac units seem to be sold.

 

[K man]

Garandman you know it is like anything else you buy. No matter what brand there is always someone bias against it if they own something different. Most builders do not have sales interest cause they build and leave that to the Electrical Contractors to sell and install Generators. Generac motors are B&S Vanguard which are rated as heavy duty construction grade motors. I have nothing against any generator company as long as it satisfies its customers with good quality equipment. I love my Generac as it starts and does it's job in the cold Winter or hot Summer. So no matter what you buy if it satisfies you then great if it don't then try another brand.

 

[ultrarunner]

Are the noise ratings accurate when it comes to real world homeowner applications?

If I make any changes it will have to be quiet... the topography of the terrain means noise travels...

 

[jacspath]

It's interesting that you ask about noise ratings. I think it is great that you are concerned with your neighbors quality of living. However, what I find is that when I need my gen on, guess what? So do my neighbors as I have never had a 'solo' outage that I used my gen for. Most people in our neighborhood are cool [even if they do not have a gen] with the sound [obviously do not locate your unit far from your building and right next to a neighbors home], and are far too busy taking care of their own problems to feel hassled by the noise [which is often coming from several directions at once anyway]. Talk to neighbors [hope you haven't made too many enemies near by].

 

[GManBart]

Are the noise ratings accurate when it comes to real world homeowner applications?

If I make any changes it will have to be quiet... the topography of the terrain means noise travels...

I haven't checked mine with a meter (thought about it), but I think the rating seems about right. As I recall, mine is supposed to make about 66dB, which is a fair amount less than some common noises like a lawn mower running. When it's running, I know it's out there running, but it's just a background noise that isn't offensive. When I'm on the far side of the house I can't even hear it at all.

 

[daugen]

I used to live in suburbia and when my 20kw Generac kicked on, not the test, it was pretty noisy at least one house over. But then two others were running too, as noted. Plus at least one or two portable gens which are even noisier. An unpleasant combination of sounds, but you do the best you can to minimize it.
In a really bad situation, like a tornado or hurricane, those neighbors without power may be thankful if yours is still running in your undamaged house. My wife and I used to throw hurricane parties. We would make up big pots of home made bean soup to send to neighbors or invite them over.

I am interested in the comments about preference of Kohler over Generac. I wonder why. Is it because the Kohlers have hydraulic valves and don't have to have their valves adjusted? Is their electrical apparatus of higher quality, or more conveniences? Seems to be a Ford vs Chevy situation here where both are good quality. But what if one can afford a Buick, or a Lincoln? Neither manufacturer makes more than one model per kw range; i.e. no strippers and then a deluxe fully featured model. Few options other than heaters. Compare that to buying a new truck today...

I wish one of the big two here would come up with a solid performance claim, noise ratio,fuel consumption advantage, distortion, even wiring size...then the other would have to respond, and we would finally have a spec competition, which would have to be good. Assuming the specs were meaningful. The availability of wood grain siding is not what we want...