Stand by generators?

[Flint Mitch]

I'm in the market and don't know much. I actually only know of Generac. I want something very reliable and obviously would like affordability but that isn't a deal breaker. I have L.P. if that matters, and I'm not necessarily trying to run the whole house. I recently found out about our ground water issue in our new to us old house and need to keep 3.. yes 3 sump pumps running at all costs. Actually I just put in a bad azz sewage lift pump in my main crock in case s*i* gets deep so 2 sumps and that! Plus the fridge, well pump, a few lights and possibly the AC. I'm not needing huge i dont think? Thanks

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[paragonbuilder]

I'm in the market and dint know much. I actually only know of Generac. I want something very reliable and obviously would like affordability but that isn't a deal breaker. I have L.P. if that matters. Thanks

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Are you doing automatic transfer? Have you done a load analysis? Many like to go bigger, but you will burn a lot of fuel very quickly. Best to size it for what you need.
The generac kits are probably the most affordable as far as automatic units go.

 

[Flint Mitch]

Are you doing automatic transfer? Have you done a load analysis? Many like to go bigger, but you will burn a lot of fuel very quickly. Best to size it for what you need.
The generac kits are probably the most affordable as far as automatic units go.

No on the load analysis and the automatic transfer seems the best idea for us.

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[paragonbuilder]

I see you added some info...
I would total the wattages on all necessary equipment as a start. Then add some for incidentals.

 

[Flint Mitch]

I see you added some info...
I would total the wattages on all necessary equipment as a start. Then add some for incidentals.

Will do. Thanks! Is generac considered a good brand or should I look elsewhere?

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[paragonbuilder]

Yes they seem to hold up really well. I would probably get one for myself if I needed one.

 

[Dub11]

Have you looked in to those water powered sump pumps? And we were forced in to using the new smart electric meters here and they tell ya exactly how much power you are using and when.

 

[drf256]

Kohler is supposed to be better than Generac in terms of overall quality.

The cost for the Generac vs.Kohler was about the same when I did mine, but the Generac was a simple install and the Kohler was much more intricate (with vague instructions-Generac had a vid tutorial). The increased cost of the Kohler came from the install and startup. After the install, a certified Kohler tech had to set the frequency to 60 Hz and so some other startup procedures. Add money. I had to have an electrician familiar with the install do it.

I went Kohler and have been happy with it, as have many of my friends.

A plug in/ manual transfer switch unit will save you big time, but someone obviously needs to be present during the outage. Ran my home for 12 years off of a Honda 5500 Watt Genny, powering 6 essential circuits.

 

[Flint Mitch]

Have you looked in to those water powered sump pumps? And we were forced in to using the new smart electric meters here and they tell ya exactly how much power you are using and when.

Wasn't aware there was such a thing

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[Dub11]

Wasn't aware there was such a thing

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A coworker told me about them and I thought he was pulling my leg lol. He got one after being out of town and his house lost power then the battery back up went dead after 15 plus hours of running.

 

[Flint Mitch]

Have you looked in to those water powered sump pumps? And we were forced in to using the new smart electric meters here and they tell ya exactly how much power you are using and when.

How do I decipher what my meter is saying? It flashes through different numbers and I'm not sure which one is what

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[Dub11]

How do I decipher what my meter is saying? It flashes through different numbers and I'm not sure which one is what

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I use the website. Westar has a dash board feature that breaks it down by the hour

 

[Grimmy]

I went with Generac and am powering my whole house. I looked in to a Kohler, but the rep did a piss pour job on his sales pitch, and I had to wait for a quote. The rep from Generac gave me several options and I had a quote before he left, and he explained everything in great detail. One thing he did say, Generac is a smart generator with a dumb transfer switch, where a Kohler is a dumb generator with a smart transfer switch. Mine runs off LP and tests every Thursday for 5 minutes. It's a 22kw unit, and I can run everything in my house off it, including my hot tub, AC unit, etc. I got the Generac with auto transfer switch, installed for under the quote of the Kohler. Just my experience. I'd call them both and listen to each sales pitch, and as them why their product over their competitors, make your decision on how they present.

 

[Flint Mitch]

I went with Generac and am powering my whole house. I looked in to a Kohler, but the rep did a piss pour job on his sales pitch, and I had to wait for a quote. The rep from Generac gave me several options and I had a quote before he left, and he explained everything in great detail. One thing he did say, Generac is a smart generator with a dumb transfer switch, where a Kohler is a dumb generator with a smart transfer switch. Mine runs off LP and tests every Thursday for 5 minutes. It's a 22kw unit, and I can run everything in my house off it, including my hot tub, AC unit, etc. I got the Generac with auto transfer switch, installed for under the quote of the Kohler. Just my experience. I'd call them both and listen to each sales pitch, and as them why their product over their competitors, make your decision on how they present.

We went with Generac and it was actually installed today! So far so good

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[Larry B]

The Genrac generators are pretty good but the engines are VERY particular about the valve lash adjustment. Just a couple thou too wide and engine will be hard starting. Unit will go into an overcrank condition (cranked too long and no start). Over choking will usually get it to start. If you get a genrac adj valves once a year and set on the tight side. Changing the starting battery every year a good idea if you live where it gets to zero or below.

 

[Larry B]

Generac manual has long over complicated lash adj procedure. If you want i can give you a much simpler procedure

 

[Flint Mitch]

Generac manual has long over complicated lash adj procedure. If you want i can give you a much simpler procedure

I would be interested

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[Larry B]

Manual has you accessing the flywheel and timing marks and hand cranking to TDC.
Easier way....
Turn off fuel. Should be a gas shut off right before the inlet to the regulator.
Remove valve cover
Use start switch to bump engine till either valve is open.
Adjust other valve to .0025"-.003". Takes a 10mm allen key or big flat blade screwdriver.
Bump starter till other valve opens and adjust the other valve to .0025"-.003"
Replace valve cover
Repeat on other head.
Turn gas back on.
Test run engine.
Anything over .004" will cause hard start or no start. If a valve is open the other is fully closed like at TDC.

 

[Grimmy]

The Genrac generators are pretty good but the engines are VERY particular about the valve lash adjustment. Just a couple thou too wide and engine will be hard starting. Unit will go into an overcrank condition (cranked too long and no start). Over choking will usually get it to start. If you get a genrac adj valves once a year and set on the tight side. Changing the starting battery every year a good idea if you live where it gets to zero or below.

Good to know. I'm about due for my yearly maintenance, so I'll be sure to ask them about that, and see if they check it and what it was at and what they set it at. I do have a 10 year warranty on the unit, which I thought was pretty good.