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Which Generator? Kohler or Generac

Posted on 7/20/22 at 1:55 pm
Posted by 385 Tiger
Baton Rouge
Member since Jan 2009
244 posts
Posted on 7/20/22 at 1:55 pm
There have been many threads on this and other boards concerning the better of the two brands. But in my review of those threads, people always seemed to be discussing 12 to 20k air cooled models. I'm not looking at an air cooled unit in either brand. I'm between a 38k Kohler liquid cooled and a 38K Generac liquid cooled.

My concerns are build quality, parts availability, reliability, and ease of use. I've heard that Kohler tends to be better where build quality is concerned, but the difference is very slight to non-existent when you are discussing the liquid cooled models. Reliability, I'd think, goes hand in hand with build quality for both units, i.e. both are reliable. Regarding parts, I'd expect Generac to be more available given the larger number of dealers, but is this anyone else's experience? I'd expect all of the standby units are easy to use, but has anyone had good/bad experience with either brand's apps?

Any other thoughts are welcome and appreciated. Thanks in advance.

For the record, I recognize that these are standby systems and aren't made or designed to run for weeks without attention. For extended outages, such as in a storm scenario, I expect to power down the unit daily and check the oil, and change the oil every so-many hours. I also plan to have sufficient filters, oil, and spare parts handy to handle this myself, should I need too.
This post was edited on 7/20/22 at 2:00 pm
Posted by prestigeworldwide
Member since May 2018
295 posts
Posted on 7/20/22 at 2:10 pm to
FWIW, the house we bought 2 years ago has a 40KW liquid cooled propane generator. Granted, it's probably 20ish years old. I've put several thousand into it to get it "reliable."
We changed the mag pickup and I still get overspeed errors. Kinda frustrating to be honest. I have an annual service contract so when they come out to service it, I'll have them try to fix the problem AGAIN.

If I were going to replace it, I'd get a Cummins generator. After that, Kohler and lastly another Generac. (liquid cooled on all 3)
Posted by DownshiftAndFloorIt
Here
Member since Jan 2011
66763 posts
Posted on 7/20/22 at 2:28 pm to
quote:

get a Cummins


Lead times are pretty bad right now but Cummins or Kubota is the way to go.
Posted by 385 Tiger
Baton Rouge
Member since Jan 2009
244 posts
Posted on 7/20/22 at 2:54 pm to
Can you recommend a Cummins or Kubota dealer in the Baton Rouge area?
Posted by baumer76
New Orleans
Member since Aug 2005
14 posts
Posted on 7/20/22 at 2:55 pm to
We have a 36 kw liquid cooled generac that has been going strong heading into year 16. It ran for 6 days during Ida with one oil change thrown in. The built in technology makes them easy to maintain. I would go with generac again for liquid cooled in a second. So many people have them it makes it easy to get information and parts.
Posted by DownshiftAndFloorIt
Here
Member since Jan 2011
66763 posts
Posted on 7/20/22 at 3:00 pm to
Cummins mid south in Kenner could point you to the nearest dealer or they have an online tool as well.

I know the kubota equipment stores sell kubota generators, but on 2nd thought I think they only do diesel.
Posted by 385 Tiger
Baton Rouge
Member since Jan 2009
244 posts
Posted on 7/20/22 at 3:01 pm to
Thank you. That's the direction I'm leaning. I feel like many people who complain about them have ancient units, don't maintain them properly, expect to much from them, or some combination thereof. My dad just bought a 38K Generac and I've given it a good look over. It appears to be well made and reliable. Time will tell I guess. I'd add that I don't really need a 38k, but I don't want to worry about demand while I'm using it. Plus, I'm of the opinion that it's easier to run a unit at 50 or 75% rather than 100 or 105% I stayed with a friend during Ida who had a Briggs & Stratton 20k. It was on a 3000+ square foot house, and the lights went nuts when we rant the microwave. I'd like to avoid that.
Posted by 385 Tiger
Baton Rouge
Member since Jan 2009
244 posts
Posted on 7/20/22 at 3:02 pm to
I will give them a call. Thank you.
Posted by SurfOrYak
BR/MsDelta
Member since Jul 2015
402 posts
Posted on 7/20/22 at 3:32 pm to
quote:

Can you recommend a Cummins or Kubota dealer in the Baton Rouge area?


Cummins dealer in BR is Gage (225-753-4243). Very happy with their sale and install of a 30K water-cooled unit last year (before Ida, thank goodness). Even last year, lead time of a few months.
Posted by DownshiftAndFloorIt
Here
Member since Jan 2011
66763 posts
Posted on 7/20/22 at 3:35 pm to
The kW of the unit is one thing (basically just max engine power), but the voltage regulation and step load characteristics are where you really get more with the premium units. They'll make much cleaner power and handle load changes much better. The enclosures are generally much better as well.
This post was edited on 7/20/22 at 3:44 pm
Posted by Propane_Tiger
Member since Jan 2017
52 posts
Posted on 7/20/22 at 4:25 pm to
If you are going to go air cooled route the 20Kw Kholer is superior. Never go with 22/24KW Generac. I’m not a dealer but I’m involved with most brands on a daily basis from the gas side

Something to pay attention on liquid cooled are BTU loads. Fuel consumptions on Cummins or Generics vs a Briggs are night and day. This will help you with cost savings on LP or Nat Gas when operating for long outages
This post was edited on 7/20/22 at 4:28 pm
Posted by bapple
Capital City
Member since Oct 2010
11886 posts
Posted on 7/20/22 at 4:31 pm to
quote:

Never go with 22/24KW Generac. I’m not a dealer but I’m involved with most brands on a daily basis from the gas side


I always hear this but never hear the concrete reasoning behind some of the supposed failures that weren’t due to user error. Can you elaborate?
Posted by 385 Tiger
Baton Rouge
Member since Jan 2009
244 posts
Posted on 7/20/22 at 5:40 pm to
As someone dealer adjacent, what are your thoughts on the liquid cooled 38k Kohler v. 38k Generac?
Posted by ruzil
Baton Rouge
Member since Feb 2012
16895 posts
Posted on 7/20/22 at 6:43 pm to
quote:

Can you recommend a Cummins or Kubota dealer in the Baton Rouge area?


Cummins dealer in BR is Gage (225-753-4243). Very happy with their sale and install of a 30K water-cooled unit last year (before Ida, thank goodness). Even last year, lead time of a few months.




This!

Gage did a great job during a difficult time.
Posted by footballdude
BR
Member since Sep 2010
1074 posts
Posted on 7/20/22 at 7:42 pm to

This post was edited on 10/26/22 at 9:26 am
Posted by Finnish
Member since Nov 2021
423 posts
Posted on 7/20/22 at 7:47 pm to
quote:

I'm of the opinion that it's easier to run a unit at 50 or 75% rather than 100 or 105%


Unless you have a 6,000 sq ft house with two kitchens, pool, tennis courts, etc, you’ll be running at 20-30%. I’ve got 3,400 sq ft and never pull more than ~8,000W. Even if you have all that you’re probably only rarely going over 50%. Running it days on end at idle isn’t a great thing either.

My plan was a 24kW Kohler, but $6k for 20kW air-cooled vs $12.5k for the 24kW liquid cooled (just cost for the generator). I just can’t justify the difference when both will do the job and last at least 10 years with care.
Posted by NPComb
Member since Jan 2019
27328 posts
Posted on 7/20/22 at 8:00 pm to
Go on ebay and search for carburetors or other parts. If you can't find parts, that's a red flag. For me, parts availability is a big deal. I try and fix my shite before I send it to a shop.
Posted by armsdealer
Member since Feb 2016
11500 posts
Posted on 7/20/22 at 8:18 pm to
Cat is another good option if you have a good dealer.

Go with a cummins, Cat, etc. with a good dealer. Getting Generac service during an outage IS NOT going to happen. Getting Cat service is much more likely.
Posted by bigcatfish
Member since Feb 2009
1282 posts
Posted on 7/20/22 at 8:20 pm to
My buddy had a generac struck by lightning and home owners insurance bought him a new one. He bought a Kohler instead of the generac with the insurance. His big reason for changing was availability of parts and service.
Posted by LSU Bayou Jim
Houma, LA
Member since Feb 2013
1002 posts
Posted on 7/20/22 at 8:26 pm to
I had a 20kw Cummins installed at the beginning of the year. I did a lot of research on several brands. General was ruled out fast. I moved from. Houma to BR a couple of years ago and have no less than a dozen friends who had new Generacs during Ida and now have lawsuits against them. Kohler and Cummins are close, but Cummins won out as slightly more reliable and far quieter.
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