Generator Selection?

[Diggin It]

I'm looking at whole house standby generators. I might be able to get by with less, but I'm zeroing in on 10K versions. I'm not sure 12-15K units will be worth the extra money for my use.

I see Kohler, Briggs, Generac and Champion all in the $3K - $3.5K range. Also couple of Tranes, but they seem to run higher.

I like the smaller foot print of the Briggs models, only about 28 x 24 where the Generacs are 48" long. Briggs isn't the name it used to be though and there don't seem to be many in stock for some reason. I don't need it right now, so I can wait some to see what happens, if anybody knows.

One key question I have that I can't seem to find an answer to. I want the entire load transferred. I don't want to pick circuits and rewire a bunch of stuff. Many of the transfer switches specify 12 or 16 circuits, but they don't say if those are the ONLY backed up circuits or if the downstream load panels are also switched. Anybody know?

Other than that, how do we feel about the brands mentioned?

 

[LouNY]

Are you looking at the auto start and transfer type or manual transfer switchs,
either way you will need a whole house transfer switch to do what you want, it will switch the entire load from utility to generator.
And you will have to decide which circuits to turn off in your main panel so as to not overload your generator.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Ex GFs mother had a Briggs Propane SCREAMER Unit installed. Failed first time out. Overspeeed, and shutdown. All of it just computerized garbage, if you want my opinion. Gotta love diagnostic systems that pretty much all end with "Call Your Dealer" just what you don't want to hear in the middle of an ice storm.

I typically run a 7.5 slow running Diesel into a 200 amp ASCO switch. I manage my loads.

 

[Diggin It]

^^ OK, can this Generac 100A Automatic Transfer switch be used as a manual transfer switch until I can work out the genset purchase?

RXWSW100A3

 

[Industrial Toys]

Not saying all Generac TS are junk, but the one (100 amp) I installed as a favour for a customer at his cottage sure was. Storms downed lines and lost a phase. So a brown out, not an outage. Switch destroyed itself.

Just when you need this equipment, it fails. Thats FALSE economy if I ever saw it.

 

[grsthegreat]

Not saying all Generac TS are junk, but the one (100 amp) I installed as a favour for a customer at his cottage sure was. Storms downed lines and lost a phase. So a brown out, not an outage. Switch destroyed itself.

Just when you need this equipment, it fails. Thats FALSE economy if I ever saw it.

That can happen. Thats why i installed a brown out kit on mine. I also think they should be standard equipment. Mind you, its not destroyed. Just need to replace coil.

 

[Industrial Toys]

The only thing (I Think) worse than not having a generator is having one that doesn't work when you need it.. I have seen the cheap ones as well as $100K+ modern sophisticated sets fail to perform when required.

If you have no mechanical or electrical experience, or maybe have physical issues, well you are at the mercy of what this industry is offering you.

If you can repair a thing or two, then I would strongly suggest something you can troubleshoot and work on. Not just a computerized display telling you, you need to contact your dealer.

 

[grsthegreat]

Cant agree more. But everything is complicated. Just today my Dodge ram decided it wont run forward more than 10 seconds before fail safeing into neutral. After a harrowing 2 mile an hour drive to the service man i use, i was a nervous wreck. Im just waiting to hear about a $4,000 transmission needed....

 

[Diggin It]

A coil is a coil is a coil. I don't think any of the generator companies make their own. But yeah, electronic controls that are supposed to work after an outage are susceptible to the same lightning that could cause other problems.

Thing with the Generac switch mentioned is that it can be switch manually 'when power is off', so even if the coil fails, the switch to move the contacts should work.

Generac is also running a promo to add 5 years to their 5 year warranty if you buy from certain vendors. You get a promo code to activate the other 5 years.

If I work it out in the right sequence, I get the extra 10% off from Lowes, plus a $200 or more bonus for opening a new CC and 15 months no interest on that new card. I don't really want another CC, but it's sounding mighty tempting. The 'no interest' alone would save another couple of hundred.

I just wish the Generac had the smaller footprint.

 

[RalphVa]

Went with Gentron transfer switch built into a new 200 amp box. Swapped circuit breakers around between 2 boxes, each about 200 amp, to have all the generator supported ones in the transfer switch box. Gentron has about 6 circuits that aren't allowed to come on unless there is room in the 12.5k generator. Went with a Maine Isuzu diesel. It's a gem. Uses about 0.25 gph of diesel fuel and does not sound like a diesel.

Ralph

 

[shooterdon]

I had a 13kw Generac installed this year. It is whole house and auto-transfer.

$8800 installed with 10 year warranty.

Only needed it once so far and worked...big deal....right? It cycles once a week and gives a status report.

 

[TractorGuy]

The first question is what type fuel and fuel storage do you have or want?

Next you need to know the total potential load.

I have a diesel generator that quietly runs at 1800 rpms and is capable of continuous 10kw with in rush to 13.5kw. it is not capable of running my all electric house with ac and a well. I manually switch and manage loads.

Diesel was the best choice for me. If you already have a source for propane or natural gas that would probably be a good choice for you. Gas would be the last choice I would consider.

 

[grsthegreat]

Agree... it also depends on whether or not there will be someone there to manage the load, or able to manage the load. I had a 7,500 kw manual system for many years before swapping to fully automatic system. It got to where i just got tired of having to swap circuits that can run during extended outages. Getting a 22kw unit fir nothing helped decision mind you.:cool2:

I have installed both manual and fully auto systems for many years. Theres no one unit fits all. I have alot of customers that wouldnt touch a diesel generator for any amount of money because they are too lazy to refuel it. They want ease of natural gas or propane. I like diesel generators, but my technical expertiese on working on them is limited. I can repair an air cooled unit in my sleep. I also have a shop and work truck chuck full of air cooled parts... i could probibly build my own generator.

 

[fruitcakesa]

My Dad picked up Kubota 6500 portable [it's on wheels] genny. Diesel, water cooled.
It is run through a whole house transfer switch and independent breaker panel with all the important circuits [water pump, furnace, kitchen etc.]
It lives in his garage and is quiet for a diesel and very fuel efficient.
The best part is he got it used for $1200. They list new for north of $6k!

 

[Industrial Toys]

That's a great score. But not for everyone. I like it when the power goes out. Gives me a chance to use all my resources, see what works and what doesn't. When the power comes back on again, I have usually had enough of playing around, managing loads and so forth. Big difference from a Turn-Key whole house system, but you put a lot of faith in that.

Also, I have siad it a million times before. Not knowing when the power will come back on is the worst part, you can't plan for. You wouldn't want your whole house 10KW or so, system running all night long, to power a fridge and freezer, if you thought maybe the power was going to be out for weeks and fuel delivery might be an issue.

Personally, my first requirment would be a generator, I can see, touch and work on. Not a Tin can with some ,Diagnostic display or LEDS, Some phone Ap would be the last thing on my list.



7.5 KW, Onan/Kubota set that is currently my primary backup.

 

[Diggin It]

^^ The Generacs I'm looking at have a manual shutdown procedure, so you could turn it off part of the time if fuel was an issue. I'm getting kind of tired of the gassers that might run out of gas or get messed up by corn squeezin's. I've got a 500 gallon LP tank and it looks like this could run a week or so on that, barring any other use like heat or cooking.

>>> Generally <<< there isn't a problem getting LP delivered, but if a storm closes all the roads, well ....

For now, LP is less costly than diesel too.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I have heard of too many winter time LP issues. Again, are you a hands on person? Are you going to go out there with a pan of hot water and try and get it running, or just put in a call for service?

Again, how long the power is going to be out is something that drives me crazy. A while back during the BIG ice storm, no one was repairing anything. It was later revealed that all the "HYDRO" guys had booked off hunting that week.

I would rather a little generator that can run for weeks (or longer) on a little Diesel, than a Big unit that will only run for a few days.

 

[ericm979]

All the whole home generator makers have models that can do automatic prioritized load shedding. This lets you run a smaller generator since it won't have to be sized to power the A/C, well pump and the oven at the same time.

Most require you to run low voltage wires from the generator to the load shed units (basically they're relays). Generac has some that don't. They have a small circuit that detects the AC cycles and uses that to determine if the generator's struggling. They can be programmed with dip switches or dials to have variable delay and shutoff level so you can prioritize loads. They will work with other company's generators.

I wish companies would come out with inverter type whole home generators.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Current Project of Mine. Onan Quiet Diesel 7.5 INVERTER. So quiet, you could sleep in a room with it, and NOT because it's in a box.

Peronally, I don't trust the electronics at all, but am willing to try it (mostly for night time and summer (low load) use. I have backups if it fails anyway.

BTW. I'm pretty sure that back-up generators are a favourite pet project of Murphy!

 

[cdaigle430]

Im very happy with my Natural Gas 16kw Generac whole house generator. Fully automatic and 10 year warranty(on my 4 th year). Works very well even on the coldest Maine day. Exercises twice a month.