Generator install - where to start

[grsthegreat]

ok, generac is only a manufacturer. They dont install. Anyone can install. Problem is most installers dont service them, even during warranty periods. Better make sure you have a maintenance company thats willing to drive to your place. There are far fewer service tech for liquid cooled units, and even fewer for diesel. You need a true diesel mechanic experiences and training for the large diesel units.


I really have no idea if these generac units, or any other branded diesel units will run on fuel oil. You need to check into that.

 

[ponytug]

ok, generac is only a manufacturer. They dont install. Anyone can install. Problem is most installers dont service them, even during warranty periods. Better make sure you have a maintenance company thats willing to drive to your place. There are far fewer service tech for liquid cooled units, and even fewer for diesel. You need a true diesel mechanic experiences and training for the large diesel units.


I really have no idea if these generac units, or any other branded diesel units will run on fuel oil. You need to check into that.

#2 heating fuel oil and #2 diesel are approximately the same BTU/gal, and viscosity; where they may differ is in the respective additive packages, as heating oil fuel tends to have more additives geared toward prolonging storage life, and #2 diesel fuels tends to have more additives towards ensuring that the cetane # and lubricity are at the minimum for diesel #2 or better, along with more anti-corrosion and anti-deposit additives. However, "tends" is not the same thing as "is". I know of many parts of the country where heating oil and off-road diesel comes out of the same tank at the distributor, so YMWV.

Heating Oil Vs Diesel (Costs, Safety & Interchangeability)

Heating oil vs diesel explained for homeowners, including key differences, costs, safety factors, and when limited substitution is possible

www.elanfuels.com

Lots of folks use one for the other, and in some parts of the country they will be identical, but that will depend on local usage, regulations, and demand. All of New England went for the ULSD standard of sulfur as the definition for heating oil in 2016.

If it is a new generator installation, the generator manufacturer probably has an opinion on allowed fuels.

For the generally limited hours on a residential grid backup generator, I am not sure that I would sweat the difference, but everybody is different. For dedicated, sustained off grid use, I would be adding in additive packages for diesel use.

All the best,

Peter

 

[ponytug]

Keep in mind that code says you cannot install a combustion appliance near any operable windows or doors. I don't know the exact specs, but be aware of that for placement. It's a concern about CO, naturally.

FYI: 5' to operable openings is the minimum per NFPA, unless SWRI certified, referenced here;

Generac Help Center

support.generac.com

The above is dependent upon what the local AHJ has adopted, and it may be more restrictive, and/or have additional restrictions, e.g. distance to lot lines, etc.

There is the additional considerations about noise, vibration, and fire risks.

All the best,

Peter

 

[Complete Turf Care]

I have a 24kw Generac that runs on natural gas. It will run my house and my shop which are about 120 ft apart. I have a separate transfer switch on each building. My house is about 1500 sq. ft. and is all electric. My shop has a 600 sq. ft. kitchen/office and lights in the 2400 sq. ft. shop.

I had to run a 1" pipe about 800 ft. from the gas meter to the generator which is located at the back of my shop.

It's a bit hard to explain, but the gas company wanted $12,000 to run the gas down the street in front of my house to the shop. I own the property on the back side of my house and that property goes up to the highway where the gas was already located. So, for a small deposit, the gas company installed a meter about 100' onto my property and I took it from there to my shop which was about 800'. I own a trencher, so it only cost me the cost of the pipe, which was about $1 per ft.

My point is that you can set up a generator to run multiple buildings.

My son in law is a licensed electrician and an authorized Generac dealer/installer, so he did the work.

 

[kenmac]

I just have to decide if I can tolerate having a generator right out front, outside our kitchen window, versus hiding out back behind the pool and patio where no one can see, hear, or smell it.

I had my 35 KW Generac set 150 away from my power meter / transfer switches because I didn't want it seen coming up the driveway.
I dug the trench for the electrical from power meter location to generator location

You should have someone come out and look at your situation to see if it the generator can be installed in the location of your choice

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

Years ago we would lose power averaging about 20 hrs/ year. I bought a 9kW gas generator running a few hours ago day mainly just for well pump & Propane furnaces. A propane vented heat stove will heat the house.
The power company re-routed lines and we've never lost power since.
Neighbors had a Generac system installed with 500 gallon LP tank and never used it.
Maybe check into a PTO generator for the tractor (?).

 

[hayden]

A generator install ultimately involves a lot of different sub-contractors; Electrician, gas fitter, gas supply company, general contractor for pad, trenching, etc., maybe even a separate excavation company for trenching, and of course the generator dealer. Oh, and don't forget permits for construction, electrical, and gas.

So I think it comes down to who's going to be the GC, and who will pick the subs.

I expect that more full service generator dealers can also act as GC, and will use their own subs. Or maybe they can't be the GC, and will just tell you what the GC needs to provide for them to park the generator, and when to call them to do the startup after everything is hooked up.

Or you can find your own GC, and they will line up the subs.

Or you can be the GC, use your own preferred subs, and do all the coordination (cat herding) yourself.

If you have a strong preference, then go that route. Otherwise I'd start with the generator dealer, who might also be an electrician, as ask what your options are. Some may only want to GC the whole thing, some may only want to sell, place, and start up the generator, and everything in between.

When I installed one in a previous house, I acted as GC, mostly because I already had good relationships with gas and electric subs who I trusted and knew did quality work. Oh, and the generator dealer should be able to tell you what all the rules are for locating the generator. In my location there were limits on proximity to windows and doors, distance from the building, locations of power disconnectes, etc. Interestingly, the distance from the building depended on whether the generator was in a metal vs plastic enclosure, with metal allowing placement closer to the building.