re: Generac generator crapping out

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Generac only offers that on 2700-3000kw or larger full home generators for now.

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Same thing with kohler, cummins, etc.

And I know you probably just mistyped but it would be the 27kw and larger.

99% of homes are running a 24kw or smaller.

General marketed well but product is not good. Kohler, Honda, etc… far superior, reliable, and less expensive.

I’ve had mine for 5 years and have never had an issue. It’s about keeping it maintained and understanding what it can and cant do. Mine is only 22k and i have a large house with multiple AC units. I keep most of the lights off when not using that area, try not to run the microwave or dryer very much. Keep both AC low so they cycle less often. And try to keep the generator cool during the heat.

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The industrial equivalent 30kW diesel unit is nearly $15k.

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Got a name brand? I have a 600 gallon diesel tank but no natural gas. Would gladly pay the $ right now.

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This was their first time using it other than cranking it after initial setup.

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Aren’t you supposed to start it up every so often? I feel like basic preventative maintenance would help prolong the life of these things

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Was at a house for 3 days with a 22kw Generac that worked great. Now you guys have me wondering. It is still running fine as of yesterday.

My buddy has the larger unit which is liquid cooled and he just finished telling me to stick to the air cooled. Info is all over the place with these things.

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you wanna go liquid cooled in warm weather climate.

90% of these issues are user error

for example, op thinking he can run it for 3 days straight without checking anything and the comment about if it cant run 24/7 than what good is it. I specifically posted on here and the manual says not to do that on the air cooled. they need to be shut down for a minimum of 1 hour and really 2-3 every day to let them cool, check oil etc

Its peopel not listening. Perfect example I got a call from my wifes cousin last night. He is at her aunts in met and their 22kw shut down. Well i asked him specifically if he shut it down every day and checked the oil everyday like i told him too before hand. He says na, it was running fine so why should he do that.

I had warned him and went over the things to look for which i had learned from laura. He didnt listen and now they are prolly sol. Called late last night and he said it was really low on oil.

well he ran it for 4 days straight without checking anything, didnt make sure it wasnt getting too hot etc and thoguht it was fine. Whats the saying... "He is gonna learn today"

in this heat, oil needs to be changed every 100 hours. needs to be checked daily, air filter checked daily, and if you can, pull the damn doors off and put a fan on it.

air cooled are not made for the temps we see here in south LA. air cooled are stand by generators meant to run for a couple days at most. if in south LA get a damn liquid cooled.

another example is the guy talking about his moms top flying off the first time it was used. Well why wasnt the weekly test run?

generac is a lower tier brand but the biggest problem is people abuse them. But generac is easiest to get parts for. Overall people are dumb and are not mechanically inclined and dont check anything. There are instances like i had last year and others i saw where that isnt the case, but many times it is. Other issue is people are not getting the NG regulator change and are not pushing the proper amount of gas through the regulator.

if the unit is ramping up and then throttling down and you are getting over speed, its prolly the stepping motor circuit burned up. here is how you check that LINK

the above is caused from either not enough gas pressure or it getting too hot in the housing and burning up the circuit

if its undervoltage, let it cool down and start back in manual. if it still doesnt work, its either low gas supply, overheating, or very possibly the brushes.

in the end i believe all the air cooled are about the same. they are not meant for this climate and to be run all day every day for days on end.

liquid cooled is the way to go and cummins is prolyl best brand.

If they are new I know some people set them up for natural gas instead of propane when being installed. Once that is corrected they run like intended. It’s an installation issue, not a quality issue for ones we’ve helped with. Not sure about your friends, but I would at least check that out.

If it’s newer there apparently is a batch that had bad brushes. From what I’ve heard, generacs made between certain dates will throw a 1902 error and then shut down because the brushes have essentially disintegrated.

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5W-30 Full Synthetic. Oreilly has their own brand for $6 a quart.

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Go to Walmart and get the 5 quart jug of Mobile 1 for $25.

I have a 30kw liquid cooled Cummings that ran for 5 days straight after last years hurricane. The only thing I have had to do to it was change the battery and have it serviced annually. You definitely get what you pay for. Cummings and Kohler are the 2 best.