Shopping for a generator

[Hunter29]

So its going to be one of these, the kubota is just shy of 10kw it will put out 36.5 amps at 240v with a max of 41amp peak/ head room, but pretty much same as what I have now.

It weighs 650# , takes 4.5 quarts of oil and is the same motor as in my tractor ..

The Perkins will put out 42 amps with a peak of 44 amps, so a solid 10kw unit, it weighs 745# and holds 8 quarts of oil of which they spec synthetic 10w-40

They cost the same, kubota easer to maintain , same parts as the tractor, lighter , may even pickup with my loader, less oil so less cost, even thou more oil the better this is good enough as I'll change it once a year at 20 to 40 HRS..


The perkins is 100# heaver , twice the oil at higher cost, but its a bit stronger, but again I don't really need the extra power. Its also a little bigger, burns a bit more fuel and is a few db louder.

What do you think? the Kubota has a better warranty..


Perkins... Perkins 10,000 Watt Diesel Generator


Kubota... Kubota 9,875 Watt Diesel Generator

 

[s219]

Be sure to also look at the Isuzus Central Main Diesel sells. When I was shopping, they had the lowest fuel gpm numbers. They come from GPP (Global Power Productsｮ - Diesel Generators). You can get the detailed specs on that site. To me, fuel consumption numbers would be a key factor.

 

[groundcover]

Couldn't go wrong with either one ! Would be the Kubota for me too !

 

[Cat_Driver]

Kubota, Perkins are two of the strongest engines on the planet so you're good either way. Only advice I have is buy more amps than you think you need as you will find plenty os uses for a generator.

Take a look here

Kubota Diesel Generators, Kubota Portable Diesel Generator, Lowest Prices in USA

 

[Hunter29]

I really like the kubota, it's small and kinda cute, hehe.. tough choice but I am leaning to the Kubota.. but More input would be great so others chime in please...

 

[techman]

I bought the same Kubota a couple of years ago. It is a very nice unit and performs extremely well. I can power my whole house with no problems, running 3 heat pumps + 3 refrigerator/freezers. On outages I shut down the HPs and turn on the electric HWH to charge it up for a day's use (it is an 80 gallon unit). That takes about an hour. On average I use 0.3 GPH of diesel to run the house during an outage.

I got the Kubota as well so that parts/filters/etc would be common with my tractor.

If you order one, you can get a start/control panel for a couple of hundred bucks extra. It does preheat, cooldown, fault detection, etc and shows frequency, hours and other data. It came all wired in by Central Main. It provides a 2-wire start/stop for "remote" starting.

Great unit.

Paul

 

[oosik]

I live way out in the middle of nowhere. Nearest neighbor is 4.5 miles away. I have a little 3500 watt Honda generator - more than enough to power the pellet stove, refrigerator & freezer. I can bucket water out of my lake. The wife and I have lived here since 1982 and in those 32+ years have NEVER had to use the generator. We have power failures - about once every 3-4 years. The longest outage was 10 hours about 18 years ago. We belong to a private utility company and I guess you could say we have fantastic service. We, also, have never had a major natural disaster that would create a long outage.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

I live way out in the middle of nowhere. Nearest neighbor is 4.5 miles away. I have a little 3500 watt Honda generator - more than enough to power the pellet stove, refrigerator & freezer. I can bucket water out of my lake. The wife and I have lived here since 1982 and in those 32+ years have NEVER had to use the generator. We have power failures - about once every 3-4 years. The longest outage was 10 hours about 18 years ago. We belong to a private utility company and I guess you could say we have fantastic service. We, also, have never had a major natural disaster that would create a long outage.

I have a similar situation, with a 4400/5000 watt no-name unit that I bought from Harbor Freight in 1997 for $279 and free shipping. It has been used for one 5 day power outage and for building an addition on the barn. It has maybe 100 hours on a B&S engine. At this rate I'll be dead long before it wears out. I also have a little 1000 watt 2-cycle camp generator that is whisper quiet. It will run the freezer and refrigerator at the same time, or the refrigerator and the entertainment center/satellite dish.

With wood heat and low head gravity feed water, I don't even bother to get the generator out until the second day of a power outage. We just cook on the wood stove, or in warm weather on the deck with a propane camp stove. My wife has commented that the comfort level of our home doesn't change much when the power goes out.

The big advantage of 19th century technology is that it works fine and doesn't require much in the way of external inputs.

 

[Piston]

I didn't see the option for an automatic transfer switch with the Perkins? And I didn't see the option for a remote start with the Kubota?

I'm imagine you could get either aftermarket though.

How will you be enclosing it? Will you be using it for a whole house generator? Are you going to tie it in with automatic transfer?

On the Kubota, it gave the option for a 100amp transfer switch. Does this mean you can't use it for a 200amp panel? Or do you just get a second transfer switch to make 200?

 

[schmism]

On the Kubota, it gave the option for a 100amp transfer switch. Does this mean you can't use it for a 200amp panel? Or do you just get a second transfer switch to make 200?

I think the idea is that you pick several circuits that you deem critical, and route those through the transfer switch. Remember it only outputs 40 amps give or take...

If you didnt want to pick an choose then I would just go with a manual generator disconnect breaker and back feed the entire pannel.

 

[oosik]

I think we better consider ourselves & our situation pretty darn fortunate, Larry. A lot of folks, on here, are subject to some devastating natural disasters.

 

[doxford jim]

I too have a Kubota generator (12kW) and it powers the house with geothermal heating, stove washer , drier etc. It has been a godsend when we have had power outages with temperatures down around -25C/-15F. The glow plug preheat makes a big difference in starting at these low temperatures. The unit was already installed on the property when I bought it, but had not been used - engine run hours of 2. I reran the fuel system from a 250 gallon fuel tank and it now starts and runs well. I currently have around 160 hours on it with just engine oil and filter and fuel filters changed. Air filter is as good as new. I guess mine consumes around 1/2 gallon per hour at 60% load.
Both of the units are good choices in my opinion. You could probably buy cheaper if you shopped around, but is it worth it. The Kubota has performed flawlessly for me which is important.
HTH

 

[techman]

If you do not need automatic transfer, but a simple mechanical, like: Generator InterLock Kit Manual Transfer Switch

You can feed the whole house, and does not cost much. As for the start control, Central main does not list it, just call and ask about it.
As for using it, long spells go by without use, except exercise. However the 2 day outage during winter, with temps in the teens, and near miss hurricanes and super storm Sandy are all you need to appreciate having backup. Having water from a well and heating the house can be high interests.

Paul

 

[Hunter29]

Thanks for the replys, I am all set with a switch, this is a replacement for the 10kw gas unit I have now..

 

[Hunter29]

I didn't see the option for an automatic transfer switch with the Perkins? And I didn't see the option for a remote start with the Kubota?

I'm imagine you could get either aftermarket though.

How will you be enclosing it? Will you be using it for a whole house generator? Are you going to tie it in with automatic transfer?

On the Kubota, it gave the option for a 100amp transfer switch. Does this mean you can't use it for a 200amp panel? Or do you just get a second transfer switch to make 200?

Yep whole house, it will live in my 200 SF generator house.. this is an old photo, its all finished now.

 

[Piston]

Nice generator house Hunter! :thumbsup:

 

[Hunter29]

Thanks Piston..

 

[Hunter29]

Question for Techman and Jim, what oil do you run in the winter?

 

[techman]

Question for Techman and Jim, what oil do you run in the winter?

I use regular car diesel. I treat it with stuff from the HVAC supply house. Advertised as prevents gelling, absorbs moisture, prevents algae growth, and so on. Meant for oil burner tanks, but same oil. I have never had an issue with gelling. As soon as mine starts it will blow warm air on the oil tank. I have run it into the teens.

Paul

 

[Hunter29]

I use regular car diesel. I treat it with stuff from the HVAC supply house. Advertised as prevents gelling, absorbs moisture, prevents algae growth, and so on. Meant for oil burner tanks, but same oil. I have never had an issue with gelling. As soon as mine starts it will blow warm air on the oil tank. I have run it into the teens.

Paul

I run Biobor in my diesel, but what I am asking is motor oil, do you run 10w 30 15w 40 ect?