Automatic whole house generator systems.

[oldnslo]

In my area if no transfer switch the power company will come by and pull your meter if you have a generator running to insure no power feedback into the grid. Not sure how this is handled in other areas. I have a Briggs & Stratton LP whole house with auto switch over. Sure is simple. Agree on sizing is a real problem since trying to determine peak load and running loads is a real challenge.

 

[LittleBill21]

In my area if no transfer switch the power company will come by and pull your meter if you have a generator running to insure no power feedback into the grid. Not sure how this is handled in other areas. I have a Briggs & Stratton LP whole house with auto switch over. Sure is simple. Agree on sizing is a real problem since trying to determine peak load and running loads is a real challenge.

how would they know if the transfer switch is inside?

 

[jaydee325]

how would they know if the transfer switch is inside?

Easy, power company is notified of legitimate transfer switch installs via licensed electricians/permits. Lineman supervisor driving by hears/sees a generator running, checks back to office and if no record, it's assumed no switch, so meter comes out to protect the lineman.

 

[LittleBill21]

Easy, power company is notified of legitimate transfer switch installs via licensed electricians/permits. Lineman supervisor driving by hears/sees a generator running, checks back to office and if no record, it's assumed no switch, so meter comes out to protect the lineman.

my guys are too busy eating a hoagie to worry about that stuff. when power goes down around here, it sounds like sturgis.

 

[CobyRupert]

Pulls the meter if he hears a generator, then checks back to see if paper work has been properly filled for the address (and the specific service at that address) he thinks he hears the generator at?
That is a really really poor way to protect linemen from energized lines.
If linemen’s safety are really dependent on this, there’s so many ways that system could go wrong.


What if generator is only feeding extension cords and not tied into utility, does meter still get pulled?

Who has a household 120/240 generator that can (without overloading) :
- Energize the distribution lines (through the utility transformer) and power up the whole neighborhood, or
-Feed the faulted lines and keep running? That is, shorted by the storm or shorted together by the lineman working on them.

I suppose if you live at the end of the road, and only your power is out and utility is working on the lines, a scenario could exist where you could power your isolated “island”. But if your island is more than a few neighbors, you genny isn’t going to power the grid.

 

[coobie]

We have decided to have a whole house generator installed. The automatic kind that comes on when the power goes off. So I have called the Generac dealer about 3.5 miles from our house. It will be a month before they can come out for a consultation and between six and eight months before I can get a generator. Cost for an 18kw, 20kw, or 22kw system will be roughly between $8,000 to $10,000.

In the 2009 ice storm we made do with a 4000w portable. We had two fridges, one freezer, one TV and cable box, a few lights, and one small oil filled heater running off it. Not all ran at the same time. We rotated the utility room fridge and freezer and didn't run everything at one time. Heated the house with two sets of gas logs and used the electric heater only at night in the hallway near the bedrooms. The last two weeks we added a small 2000w that took some of the load. I got a Gencor 10,000w a few years ago for the electric start because my wife could not pull start the others. We have used it twice this winter. Once after the tornado, the other last week during a small ice/snow event.

I have several problems that must be solved. If something happened to me my wife would have a very hard time dragging the generator up to the house from the shop. She would also have a hard time pulling the fridges and freezers out and connecting them. Another problem is all the cords strung out all over the house. Another is the fact that when we need a generator it is usually cold as a well diggers rear end. And we are both 67 and are looking to be prepared for our older years. Also we usually have family come here because of our natural gas logs and water heater. There are several more smaller issues but those are the main ones.

I thought about just having a transfer switch installed and putting the Gencor in a semi-permanent location within a box like enclosure. Then memories of setting an alarm for every four hours to fill the little 4000w up with gas make me think that might not be such a good idea. Even though the 10,000 will run for over six.

I am looking at Generac because there are several locals selling and servicing the units. Anybody have any negative experience with them?

RSKY

Owned our 22kw generac LP whole house gen.going on 12 years now, not one issue with it.My how Prices has gone up ours installed was $4850.We use full synthetic oil and filters changed once per year.

 

[Fuddy1952]

Our friends & neighbors put in a Generac system last Summer and 500 gallon propane above ground tank. They haven't had any problems, it automatically starts up and runs I'm guessing once a week for 15 minutes or so, probably does that for test purposes.
If you lose power frequently I'd certainly consider it. We almost never lose power, especially after I bought a 9kW "portable".
I'm thinking if you have medical problems like our neighbors insurance may cover some of it? I bet it would also add value to your home.

 

[oldnslo]

how would they know if the transfer switch is inside?

I believe code in this area is that auto switch gear must be outside next to gen set. This was approximately 9 years ago so code could have changed by now. Even with certified licensed installation had to get permit and inspection before could be put into service. Power company has come by three times that I know of to verify switch gear was operating properly during power outage.

 

[ericm979]

In my area if no transfer switch the power company will come by and pull your meter if you have a generator running to insure no power feedback into the grid.

That seems kind of harsh for the guy powering his fridge and a couple lights using extension cords and a portable generator.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

In my area if no transfer switch the power company will come by and pull your meter if you have a generator running to insure no power feedback into the grid. Not sure how this is handled in other areas. I have a Briggs & Stratton LP whole house with auto switch over. Sure is simple. Agree on sizing is a real problem since trying to determine peak load and running loads is a real challenge.

It's the same where I live. If you tickle a linesman, they will pull your service and you don't get it back until you have brought the whole house up to current code.

 

[kenmac]

I lost power last mo. Went out to the shop and cranked off the 5500 portable and back fed to the house.
Called the power company. They sent a guy out to check. He heard my generator and asked if I was on generator power. I told him I was.
He went up to check out and said the transformer had been damaged by lightening.
Never said anything else about the generator, or if I had a lock out.

I have a friend that works for the power company. He said they are required to treat every line as if it is powered, so locked out or not is no big deal

 

[RSKY]

Very true, and think about all the happy customer's that don't leave reviews. Around here you can buy the Generac 22KW with the 200 amp transfer switch for roughly $5k. So to the OP they are getting you for $3k to $5k for installation. I would buy it myself and then find a local electrician to do it on the side for say maybe $1k

Only problem with that is the seven year guarantee that comes with purchase and installation from the dealer. Install it yourself and you don't get that. At least that was the info I got from the nice girl that I talked to.

RSKY

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I've had them come pull the meter before when I had my generator running, heck I've pulled the meter myself before...

I don't mind if they do, it doesn't bother me at all...

SR

 

[TheMan419]

not really, buying a interlock kit, and marking the breakers, your talking the difference of maybe a minute. it comes down to how often you expect to do this process

I was thinking between transfer switch/interlock and running extension cords. Flipping a few breakers no big deal. Running extension cords all over the place..... no thanks.

 

[RalphVa]

We have decided to have a whole house generator installed. The automatic kind that comes on when the power goes off. So I have called the Generac dealer about 3.5 miles from our house. It will be a month before they can come out for a consultation and between six and eight months before I can get a generator. Cost for an 18kw, 20kw, or 22kw system will be roughly between $8,000 to $10,000.

In the 2009 ice storm we made do with a 4000w portable. We had two fridges, one freezer, one TV and cable box, a few lights, and one small oil filled heater running off it. Not all ran at the same time. We rotated the utility room fridge and freezer and didn't run everything at one time. Heated the house with two sets of gas logs and used the electric heater only at night in the hallway near the bedrooms. The last two weeks we added a small 2000w that took some of the load. I got a Gencor 10,000w a few years ago for the electric start because my wife could not pull start the others. We have used it twice this winter. Once after the tornado, the other last week during a small ice/snow event.

I have several problems that must be solved. If something happened to me my wife would have a very hard time dragging the generator up to the house from the shop. She would also have a hard time pulling the fridges and freezers out and connecting them. Another problem is all the cords strung out all over the house. Another is the fact that when we need a generator it is usually cold as a well diggers rear end. And we are both 67 and are looking to be prepared for our older years. Also we usually have family come here because of our natural gas logs and water heater. There are several more smaller issues but those are the main ones.

I thought about just having a transfer switch installed and putting the Gencor in a semi-permanent location within a box like enclosure. Then memories of setting an alarm for every four hours to fill the little 4000w up with gas make me think that might not be such a good idea. Even though the 10,000 will run for over six.

I am looking at Generac because there are several locals selling and servicing the units. Anybody have any negative experience with them?

RSKY

We didn't use Generac generator but used Gen Tron panel. Our electrician installed it and juggled circuits between it and another (off generator) 200 amp panel. Four circuits have added circuitry that only allow them to come on if there's room in the generator. Took the electrician a few calls to Gen Tron to figure them out though.

Works great. Have a Central Maine 12.5 kw Isuzu driver. It's a gem. Had 2 heat pumps, 2 frigs, 2 freezers, 1 electric hot water tank, washer, drier, well pump, lights, computer.

 

[kcflhrc]

Only problem with that is the seven year guarantee that comes with purchase and installation from the dealer. Install it yourself and you don't get that. At least that was the info I got from the nice girl that I talked to.

RSKY

From the Web

Warranty Coverage: Warranty coverage period is for seven (7) years or two-thousand (2,000) hours, whichever occurs first, in either case beginning on the original date of successful start-up and/or on-line activation of the generator.

I would have them explain what the difference is between their 7 year and the Mfg.

 

[Fxfymn413]

As I stated earlier I have a LP powered 16Kw Generac that was installed over 20years ago. During our last outage the generator shut down and indicated an overspeed condition. I called a couple of service companies who said the best they could do was weeks, not days, to get here.

After some thought and on-line research I was able to diagnose the problem and fix it myself. Turns out the butterfly in one of the venturis had come loose and wedged itself into the venturi after the screws came out. Not that big a deal, since there was no apparent damage to the cylinder despite the screws getting into them.

I did find a couple of other folks who had the same thing happen. My bet is Generac knows they have a problem and all I would expect from them is a notice to owners to check the butterflies to ensure the screws have Loc-tite on them. I did not see any evidence of Loc-tite around the screw holes.

If you have a Generac and want to check it I would use a scope inserted through the intake manifold tube. Or you can disassemble the mixture box to look, but plan on a couple of hours to do it. You can find detailed instructions on how to do it here: https://gentekpower.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2745

 

[nikdfish]

We installed a 22kw Generac about 6 years back. Thread on install here: Getting a whole house genny installed...

No problems. Serviced annually. Sized to handle a 5 ton heat pump which it does with no trouble & no trouble with any of our electronics or UPS units. Propane use is not excessive since average real time draw tends to be under 3kw. Added a Hyper Engineering Sure-Start module to the heat pump in '20 & saw much easier start ups on the HP both on generator & line power.

 

[grsthegreat]

Only problem with that is the seven year guarantee that comes with purchase and installation from the dealer. Install it yourself and you don't get that. At least that was the info I got from the nice girl that I talked to.

RSKY

Doesnt matter who installs it….if its a deal with 7 or 10 year warranty, you still get warranty even if you purchase from home depot. Only catch is, if its installed incorrectly and that causes failure, its on your dime.

 

[grsthegreat]

As I stated earlier I have a LP powered 16Kw Generac that was installed over 20years ago. During our last outage the generator shut down and indicated an overspeed condition. I called a couple of service companies who said the best they could do was weeks, not days, to get here.

After some thought and on-line research I was able to diagnose the problem and fix it myself. Turns out the butterfly in one of the venturis had come loose and wedged itself into the venturi after the screws came out. Not that big a deal, since there was no apparent damage to the cylinder despite the screws getting into them.

I did find a couple of other folks who had the same thing happen. My bet is Generac knows they have a problem and all I would expect from them is a notice to owners to check the butterflies to ensure the screws have Loc-tite on them. I did not see any evidence of Loc-tite around the screw holes.

If you have a Generac and want to check it I would use a scope inserted through the intake manifold tube. Or you can disassemble the mixture box to look, but plan on a couple of hours to do it. You can find detailed instructions on how to do it here: https://gentekpower.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2745

New generator units dont have that butterfly valve any longer.