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Whole home generator brands

Posted on 9/12/24 at 6:11 am
Posted by TheWiz
Third World, LA
Member since Aug 2007
11865 posts
Posted on 9/12/24 at 6:11 am
Trying to do a bit of research before I bite the bullet. I know that generac has been around for a long time. Lots of mixed reviews online but mostly positive. Kohler seems like it might be a step above but I wanted to hear from this group. For those that use either, have worked on either, sell either, or whatever. Just curious to get some overall feedback on Generac vs. Kohler.

Thanks in advance!
Posted by TigerDL
Member since Nov 2017
136 posts
Posted on 9/12/24 at 6:56 am to
Cummins or kohler get my vote. I have a Cummins and it’s great. Quiet and reliable. Liquid cooled.
Posted by rodnreel
South La.
Member since Apr 2011
1508 posts
Posted on 9/12/24 at 7:23 am to
I have a cummings liquid cooled and like it. Whatever you get make sure it runs at 1800 RPM.

turn on all things you want the generator to run and have someone measure the amps and size the generator accordingly.

If using propane or NG as fuel most generators are rated using propane. Using NG will reduce the rating by 10-15%,

This post was edited on 9/12/24 at 8:05 am
Posted by prestigeworldwide
Member since May 2018
390 posts
Posted on 9/12/24 at 8:03 am to
Cummins, liquid cooled, propane.
Posted by southern686
Narnia
Member since Nov 2015
1019 posts
Posted on 9/12/24 at 8:06 am to
I have a Generac. If I were to do it again, I would spend the coin and go with a liquid cooled generator. Make/model, I am not sure as I have not done any research but living in S. Louisiana the air cooled engine running for hours on in worries me at times. I've never had an issue and there is protection for over heating but still.
Posted by tigers win2
Baton Rouge
Member since Oct 2009
3914 posts
Posted on 9/12/24 at 9:06 am to
I looked into it for a while and went with Kohler water cooled.
Posted by LSUBALLER
Louisiana
Member since Jul 2013
20322 posts
Posted on 9/12/24 at 9:16 am to
Why is liquid cooled better.I am biting the bullet now. General 22k. 1900 square Foot home with pool.
Posted by TDTOM
Member since Jan 2021
24183 posts
Posted on 9/12/24 at 9:18 am to
I have heard very mixed reviews of Generac.
Posted by SurfOrYak
BR/MsDelta
Member since Jul 2015
421 posts
Posted on 9/12/24 at 9:22 am to
Cummins liquid cooled, NG. They run at lower RPMs and generate less noise. Yes, more upfront cost to purchase (the reason why air-cooled Generacs are so popular), but MUCH more reliable.
This post was edited on 9/12/24 at 9:24 am
Posted by FOBW
N.O.
Member since Sep 2016
424 posts
Posted on 9/12/24 at 9:24 am to
Rated for continuous duty.
Posted by PelsForLife
Member since May 2019
474 posts
Posted on 9/12/24 at 9:43 am to
I have a friend that does commercial work with electrical for businesses and recommended Kohler over Generac
Posted by bapple
Capital City
Member since Oct 2010
12179 posts
Posted on 9/12/24 at 9:53 am to
I went Generac for universality of parts. Virtually everyone and their mother can service a Generac and likely has spare parts.

With liquid cooled engines you are going to have a larger footprint and more maintenance for the cooling system. It’s good if you have the coin because it’ll be quieter but it will likely be oversized for your house since liquid cooled ones start at a much larger size.

The best explanation I’ve heard for the air cooled engines is that most zero-turn mowers run on air cooled motors and run just fine. They run hotter and are louder but for something that will run maybe 5-10 hours a year, you start to hit diminishing returns getting a liquid cooled. The enclosures of the air-cooled generators pull a crazy amount of air through them to keep it at operating temperature and they simply run hot. If you open the enclosure and see the manifold glowing orange, that is what it is designed to do. You will need to check the oil level every 48 hours or so but again it’s an item that runs very few hours each year.

Just my 2 cents since I know folks with Generacs and other air-cooled generators that are 10-20 years old and still kicking. Get liquid cooled if you’d like but likely isn’t necessary unless you need the extra output for a large house.
Posted by tigers win2
Baton Rouge
Member since Oct 2009
3914 posts
Posted on 9/12/24 at 10:37 am to
quote:

Why is liquid cooled better.I am biting the bullet now. General 22k. 1900 square Foot home with pool.


They won’t overheat. They are also quieter. My37KW is very quiet. Not
Much different than a car. Is louder, but you can be in back yard and not really notice it unless you listen for it.
Posted by DownshiftAndFloorIt
Here
Member since Jan 2011
70776 posts
Posted on 9/12/24 at 11:49 am to
Cummins is the premium pick.

Liquid cooled is better but hardly necessary. They are drastically more expensive.
Posted by LSUDUCKMAN67
DTB
Member since Sep 2020
1553 posts
Posted on 9/12/24 at 8:54 pm to
Liquid cooled! In SELA after ida a lot of ppl were burning there units up
Bc they were running them for so long.

Also might want to look at a Deisel unit with the trailer. I know here in Houma for Ida and and now Francine a lot of ppl weren’t getting the gas supply they needed to run there units. Esp after ida they turned the NG off in Houma so a lot of ppl couldn’t use there units. The NG system hasn’t been updated to handle every baw having a NG unit at there house.

I been looking too and I’m going liquid cooled diesel with the trailer. 25kw
Posted by LSUBALLER
Louisiana
Member since Jul 2013
20322 posts
Posted on 9/13/24 at 8:08 am to
Ty guys. Ok I am open minded . Is general the way to go or not so much? Lot of money to make wrong choice.
Posted by TheWiz
Third World, LA
Member since Aug 2007
11865 posts
Posted on 9/13/24 at 8:45 am to
Really appreciate all of the information so far!
Posted by Ziggy
Member since Oct 2007
22048 posts
Posted on 9/13/24 at 1:06 pm to
Liquid cooled Generac.
Posted by UPGDude
Baton Rouge
Member since Feb 2021
646 posts
Posted on 9/13/24 at 5:06 pm to
Kohler water cooled.
This post was edited on 9/13/24 at 5:08 pm
Posted by TheWiz
Third World, LA
Member since Aug 2007
11865 posts
Posted on 9/26/24 at 3:38 pm to
Alright, well.... My first quote was $26,000. I'm not feeling very optimistic about future quotes.

I'm now thinking about my next plan.

Westinghouse Portable 20kw
Installing proper panel with transfer switch and 50amp hookup
Soft start on AC units
Getting nat gas line ran to wherever I decide I can safely run a portable.

Replace every 6-7 years, if it goes bad.

What am I missing.
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