Which 20kw whole house generator would you recommend and why

[pclausen]

Before I spent anything more than $1000 to rebuilt the generator you have, I would want to see in writing that it would start the AC unit when rebuilt, or that they would give you credit on it toward another machine.

Excellent suggestion. I'll be sure to obtain that if we end up going in that direction.

 

[pclausen]

They called back with a quote for replacing the engine. Engine $1,296, shipping, labor and misc parts $644 for a total of $1,940.

The A/C is on a 40A breaker, so 40x240 = 9600W. Not sure what the start up draw is. Will take a look at the unit. Maybe the label will tell me. The well pump is on a 20A breaker, so 20x240 = 4800W.

I think the 15KW unit should be able to start the AC as long as the well pump doesn't happen to be running at the same time. The ovens are not on the generator panel, nor is the water heater or other electronics except for the fridge/freezer.

I'm waiting to hear back from them to see if they will put it in writing that this 15kw unit will reliably be able to start the AC and I also want it in writing that the new engine comes with a 3 year warranty.

$2000 to swap the engine seems a bit steep when a brand new 17kw unit with the digital nexus controller can be had for $3,390...

 

[brin]

They called back with a quote for replacing the engine. Engine $1,296, shipping, labor and misc parts $644 for a total of $1,940.

The A/C is on a 40A breaker, so 40x240 = 9600W.

The well pump is on a 20A breaker, so 20x240 = 4800W.

I think the 15KW unit should be able to start the AC as long as the well pump doesn't happen to be running at the same time. The ovens are not on the generator panel, nor is the water heater or other electronics except for the fridge/freezer.

I'm waiting to hear back from them to see if they will put it in writing that this 15kw unit will reliably be able to start the AC and I also want it in writing that the new engine comes with a 3 year warranty.

$2000 to swap the engine seems a bit steep when a brand new 17kw unit with the digital nexus controller can be had for $3,390...

I just want to give everyone an idea I came up with on a hot water heater that would work while on my whole house generator...I bought a $300.00 25 gal water heater from HD that is 110 v and plugs right in the wall...A friend of mine who is a plumber ...installed it so when we have a power failure I can switch over to the small 110v hot water heater...It works great so we don't have to give up hot water and is a relatively inexpensive work around.

 

[hr3]

Any word from them on the leak down test.??? Or some sort of infomation why they say you need a new motor ??

 

[murphy1244]

I just want to give everyone an idea I came up with on a hot water heater that would work while on my whole house generator...I bought a $300.00 25 gal water heater from HD that is 110 v and plugs right in the wall...A friend of mine who is a plumber ...installed it so when we have a power failure I can switch over to the small 110v hot water heater...It works great so we don't have to give up hot water and is a relatively inexpensive work around.

What is the draw?? A 110v heater is going to be a big time power draw.

 

[pclausen]

Any word from them on the leak down test.??? Or some sort of infomation why they say you need a new motor ??

I'm still waiting for a call back from "Benjamin" to get all those questions answered. He's the tech that performed the tests.

 

[pclausen]

Finally spoke to the tech that looked at the engine. Yes, the leakdown test numbers are a percentage. 28% on #1 and 48% on #2. Generac replaces engines under the 3 year warranty that reads higher than 28%. Unfortunately, this engine is a little over 4 years old.

He said that the air was coming out the oil dip stick pipe (the dip stick removed). So I guess that would indicate worn rings.

The replacement engine would be considered parts, and therefore only comes with a 90 day warranty.

He said the 15KW unit should be able to run the AC if it did so in the past, but he would not make that guarantee in writing.

Not sure what the best course of action is. I'm inclined to go for a new generator and take this engine apart to see if all it needs are a new set of rings and turn it into a good unit again.

 

[hr3]

I think you are on the right track.. I'd replace it... and fix it for a spare or sell it..

If you need any help I have all the books and would help if you like..

 

[pclausen]

Awesome. Thanks hr3!

 

[pclausen]

Well, it's done. Talked it over with mother and we both felt the best bet was to get a new unit. Just placed order for new 20kw generator. Mom is 78 and living by herself, so I want to make sure she has all the needed amenities when (not if) we loose power again.

Hopefully the engine on the 15kw unit won't be too bad off once I tear it down. I've never rebuilt a "small" engine before, only car engines. Should be a fun/interesting project!

 

[kennyd]

Well, it's done. Talked it over with mother and we both felt the best bet was to get a new unit. Just placed order for new 20kw generator. Mom is 78 and living by herself, so I want to make sure she has all the needed amenities when (not if) we loose power again.

Hopefully the engine on the 15kw unit won't be too bad off once I tear it down. I've never rebuilt a "small" engine before, only car engines. Should be a fun/interesting project!

Did you get the Generac?

 

[pclausen]

Did you get the Generac?

I did. After spending a ton of time continuing to look at reviews and specs on Generac, Briggs and Kohler I ended up going with another Generac after all. It was the most economical of the 3, uses the least amount of fuel at 50% load, but most importantly, the company that has been servicing the current generator, don't support anything else and my mother would like to maintain that relationship.

I'll be installing the new unit myself and then have the service company handle the annual maintenance going forward. They are ok with that.

It comes with a 200A transfer switch, so I'll be pulling out the existing 100A load center/xfer switch combo and rewire all those breakers back into the 200A panel that will sit behind the 200A xfer switch.

This is the one I went with:

20kw Generac Guardian 5875 - 20kW Standby Generator (Aluminum) Pre-Packaged w/200 Amp Service Rated Automatic Transfer Switch

I'll likely take out the old generator and loader center over the weekend and measure how much 250 MCM I'll need. Probably only 15' or so total for L1, L2 and N runs will be needed. I can probably get away with 4/0 as well for this very short run or even less. Installation manual states I can go as small as #6, but I don't see doing that. I'll see what gauge is currently used between the meter base and the 200A panels. The run from the meter base and xfer switch will only be 2 feet longer that what is there now. I'm hoping not needing to drill any new holes in the wall or add any additional conduits.

 

[Toyboy]

I had the same generator installed last November. So far it's only ran on exercise cycles. Ours is piped into our NG line. The gas co. did have to come out and change our meter to hi volume to support the additional use of NG at no charge. I was told Generac makes it's own engines now for that model and maybe others, in Whitewater WI.

 

[pclausen]

That is my understanding as well. Reading the owners manual, the engines in these newer units are run-in at the factory, meaning they are put under a progressively larger load and then the break-in oil is changed out. The root of the problem with the 15kw unit was that it was never properly broken in. The break-in oil was left in it for 2 years, and it was never put under a progressively larger load initially.

I read several accounts of this particular model running for 3 and 4 days continuously with no issues and not consuming any oil.

 

[pclausen]

20kw for mom came in. The card board was not exactly in pristine condition, but everything inside appeared to be.

With a little help from a friend, we got it into position pretty easily. Pretty much the exact same footprint as the old 15kw unit.

200A xfer switch.

Should make for a pretty busy weekend!

 

[s219]

So how is that transfer switch going to be wired in? Does it feed a sub-panel, or just toggle between grid and generator on a main panel?

 

[pclausen]

It will go between the meter base and one of 2 200A panels. So I'll be removing the wiring between the meter base and the one 200A panel, and basically insert the transfer switch between them.

 

[pclausen]

Was able to work on the install for a little while after work today. Got the transfer switch mounted and all the important circuits consolidated into a single 200A panel. Still got 6 open breaker positions in case I missed something that mom needs.

It was way to hot to tackle any outside work today (about 100 degrees in the shade). I was a little disappointed that that the generator didn't include any conduit/wiring whatsoever with the 200A transfer switch. I'm thinking I'll go with rigid grey plastic conduit from the generator to the exterior wall, with an access panel where the hole is to the interior, and then continue the rigid grey plastic conduit on the inside into the transfer switch. I need to get a punch to knock out 3 ~2" holes in the top of that nema 3R cabinet for my runs (utility from meter base, feed from generator, and supply to 200A panel).

 

[aczlan]

Nice work.

Aaron Z

 

[s219]

Wow, you are quite "neat" with your wiring -- looks good! Please keep posting pics, as I'd like to see the rest of the wiring when you tie into the transfer switch.

Are you planning on using the circuit panel to fine tune the circuit load when running on backup, or will the generator be able to provide for the entire panel's circuits? Any circuits that you had to skip, but would have tied in if you had a higher capacity generator?