Whole home generators
- Thread starter whizbyu
- Start date
Kohler.
Water cooled or air cooled? Size?
Helluva time to buy now.
Helluva time to buy now.
- Joined
- Jul 28, 2024
- Messages
- 1,506
you could never go wrong with a Generac. search your area for a local electrical contractor that is an authorized installer of the brand.
My natural gas Generac has been reliable, easy as can be to service, and the dealer who installed it did a great job. Generac as a company really p*ssed me off though. They hooked me with a 10 year warranty special, but denied it after install because it was one day past the deadline due to a inspector sign off being delayed. And another thing, they pushed their wireless app for all functions, but I didn't research the fine print, that comes at a monthly cost.
Gillette and Winco also very good.
Just did the same analysis and settled on a water cooled Kohler. Our generator folks also stated that Kohler will be discontinuing the smaller (24kw??) liquid cooled generators are replacing them in the lineup w/ air coolers, and because of that we went for the 30KW liquid cooled model.
These folks also recommended Gillette.
These folks also recommended Gillette.
I have had 15kw air cooled Generac since 2006. Oil and filter changes once a year, on 2nd start battery. Cycles on once a week. Runs everything in home, including central air. Been through few hurricanes, tornadoes and other power outages. Generac also sold under various private label brands Carrier, Bryant. Many HVAC contractors sell them in coastal areas due to hurricanes.
I would recommend Generac.
I would recommend Generac.
WinCo and Kohler in addition to Generac. But as important is the quality of the install and the transfer switch. Automatic transfer switch for whole house is not cheap
Power is very reliable in my area in Delaware. It's a Co-op and they have spent a lot on metal telephone poles and automatic switches to back feed via different route when one transmission line fails.
If I did get a generator it would be a huge diesel generator fitted with a Borla muffler to piss off next door neighbor.
Power is very reliable in my area in Delaware. It's a Co-op and they have spent a lot on metal telephone poles and automatic switches to back feed via different route when one transmission line fails.
If I did get a generator it would be a huge diesel generator fitted with a Borla muffler to piss off next door neighbor.
4WD
$50 site donor 2025
I have a B&S with a Vanguard …
https://energy.briggsandstratton.co...s/BAS_ES_BS1452_PP18_Spec Sheet(04-18-24).pdf
https://energy.briggsandstratton.co...s/BAS_ES_BS1452_PP18_Spec Sheet(04-18-24).pdf
Also look for a 1800 RPM generator. Those are the ones that are really heavy duty fuel efficient.
Here in BITOG? I see Power Sports.
Try champion. Better warranty. Less maintenance required for warranty. Easier install.
Be prepared for the very loud operating noise when running. Neighbors either side have permanent gas standby generators installed and when there is an outage at night during the summer it's too hot to sleep with the windows closed, and too loud to sleep with the windows open. Results - no sleep. Can just about tolerate them during the day. Seems like there should be noise restrictions on these devices. Holding off on buying one myself until this issue is addressed, but from my perspective they are far from the perfect solution during an outage.
Exactly what do you expect, a whisper quiet generator? The standby units are much quieter than portable units, and I disagree that Generac standby units are "very loud." I've had two.
Depends on the design; air cooled vs. liquid, 3600rpm vs. 1800, quality of enclosure, etc.
Kohler and Onan brands have a very good reputation, but Generac has a better service and parts network. I've had two Generac standby 16kw units at my NC coastal home over 21 years, and corrosion along the coast is always an issue. Annual oil changes are a simple 20 minute job. Be sure to use a reputable installer.
If you can swing it, an 1800 rpm generator is much nicer to listen to than a 3600 rpm version. They are typically more robust and expensive but if the price isn’t much different, I’d try to spring for one.
If you live in a cookie cutter subdivision on small lots and your neighbors run construction jobsite generators, well, save your money.
If you live in a cookie cutter subdivision on small lots and your neighbors run construction jobsite generators, well, save your money.
Similar threads
