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Experiences with whole home generators
Posted on 2/18/21 at 4:29 pm
Posted on 2/18/21 at 4:29 pm
My father in law is disabled (can’t take more than about five steps with a walker). He is moving from Lake Charles to Metairie and is talking about getting a whole home generator because evacuating for storms is problematic.
I remember reading either on here or maybe the OT that the generators take a lot of attention to keep them going.
To you baws that have whole home generators what goes into keep the running? What type of generator do you have? Would you get one again knowing what you know now?
Appreciate any experience that you can share.
I remember reading either on here or maybe the OT that the generators take a lot of attention to keep them going.
To you baws that have whole home generators what goes into keep the running? What type of generator do you have? Would you get one again knowing what you know now?
Appreciate any experience that you can share.
13
Posted on 2/18/21 at 4:34 pm to Legion of Doom
Cummins replaced the genrac that crashed at office and is highly thought of by most commercial electricians. Don’t get sold on the warranty or service area because if it has to be used during a hurricane and need service it ain’t happening.
Posted on 2/18/21 at 4:50 pm to Legion of Doom
I have an 18kw Generac Standby whole home setup. 2200 sqft ranch and it powers everything in my house if power goes out. (Furnace and Hot Water Tank are both gas)
Only maintenance consists of a company doing a yearly check with new oil filter (cost about $150)
It auto cycles for about 10 mins every Monday afternoon
Only maintenance consists of a company doing a yearly check with new oil filter (cost about $150)
It auto cycles for about 10 mins every Monday afternoon
Posted on 2/18/21 at 4:52 pm to Legion of Doom
(no message)
This post was edited on 10/26/22 at 11:35 am
Posted on 2/18/21 at 5:06 pm to Legion of Doom
Thanks everyone. To clarify by maintenance I read that people were having to put oil in the generator frequently and that the generators were overheating after hurricane Laura.
Posted on 2/18/21 at 5:22 pm to Legion of Doom
I'm looking into a CPE 12.5kW NG unit for my folks. Under $5000 with a 200A transfer panel. Good standard warranty and built in test function. Uses a 24V starting system and seems to be easier than most to maintain.
Posted on 2/18/21 at 6:20 pm to Legion of Doom
I heard Kohler was good but it looks the same as Generac to me. I'll probably be shopping for one in a month or so. How much do they charge to install one of these?
Posted on 2/18/21 at 7:39 pm to Legion of Doom
They do require maintenance. Like others have said do the yearly service for $150 but also go out and start it once a month and let it run. The biggest issue with Laura is these engines aren’t meant to run 24/7 for 3 weeks. Think of it like this. How long can you run your gas car engine in your driveway at high rpms? 3 weeks straight with no maintenance? Like someone else said. If you’re pushing it that hard for that long it’s got a lot of reason to fail eventually. So plan on letting it rest a few hours a day and checking oil. Then change the oil also. So they’re really convenient but not fool proof. The companies that service them will be overwhelmed during cat 3 or higher hurricanes. If it’s just a small storm service won’t be a problem. Choosing the right company will make it a better experience. Some of the companies in LC have no clue how to service them. The ones that do will service the ones they installed and maintain routinely first. Then work on others but probably won’t even get to those customers bc they have more than they can handle when a major storm hits.
Posted on 2/18/21 at 8:33 pm to Legion of Doom
Generac's were famous for breaking crank shafts when they first came out, maybe they changed. I have a Kohler with no problems.
Posted on 2/18/21 at 9:33 pm to Legion of Doom
Thanks everyone, as always you guys come through with great information. I will tell him all of your input, because he thinks you just have it installed and you are good to go forever.
Posted on 2/18/21 at 10:03 pm to Legion of Doom
I like Briggs air cooled. Have a 20kw.
Change oil and filter every 100 hrs of run time.
Never added oil each day.
Know several people that had generac's that had trouble with the trickle charge system, oil loss and other issues. Battery's would be dead and it would never start.
Kohler's are nice but they are proud of them. Parts are harder to get. They want you to go thru Kohler.
I like briggs for reliablity, never any issues and parts are easy to get if you can repair yourself.
Can get parts online or thru a lawn mower parts store.
Had one for 15years with zero issues.
Installed a new one at my current house with no issues.
Keep enough oil and filters to run for a month is my advice. At minimum.....just in case things get stupid.
I'm on natural gas.
If you install a Briggs.....Put this under your transfer switch or run a line to your garage.
Its a great tool if something is going on that you are not aware of. Led flashes for a Diagnostic Code.
Change oil and filter every 100 hrs of run time.
Never added oil each day.
Know several people that had generac's that had trouble with the trickle charge system, oil loss and other issues. Battery's would be dead and it would never start.
Kohler's are nice but they are proud of them. Parts are harder to get. They want you to go thru Kohler.
I like briggs for reliablity, never any issues and parts are easy to get if you can repair yourself.
Can get parts online or thru a lawn mower parts store.
Had one for 15years with zero issues.
Installed a new one at my current house with no issues.
Keep enough oil and filters to run for a month is my advice. At minimum.....just in case things get stupid.
I'm on natural gas.
If you install a Briggs.....Put this under your transfer switch or run a line to your garage.
Its a great tool if something is going on that you are not aware of. Led flashes for a Diagnostic Code.
Posted on 2/18/21 at 10:44 pm to Legion of Doom
Mines about 15 years old now, general 25kw.
Been running 5 days straight and no issues. I’ll never have another house without one.
Recently replaced stator on it for $2k but outside that it’s been an easy $150 yearly Maintenace and a new battery ($90) every 3 years.
Been running 5 days straight and no issues. I’ll never have another house without one.
Recently replaced stator on it for $2k but outside that it’s been an easy $150 yearly Maintenace and a new battery ($90) every 3 years.
Posted on 2/18/21 at 10:51 pm to Legion of Doom
Get a generac and pay $250 a year for them to do the annual service. You will literally never have to touch the generator for 15+ years
Posted on 2/20/21 at 4:19 pm to Legion of Doom
Norwall Generators
Excellent site....Had no issues getting one. It was crated very good and was lift gate delivery. Zero Issues.
If this helps getting one and getting it installed later.
Excellent site....Had no issues getting one. It was crated very good and was lift gate delivery. Zero Issues.
If this helps getting one and getting it installed later.
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