Posted: 11/12/2010 7:39:01 AM EDT
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My folks' generator gave up the ghost last year, and I'd like to get them set up with a new one. The old one was 4.2k, and we would just run extension cords from the fridge and freezer when the ice storms took everything down.
I'd like to do it right this time with a proper transfer switch and a decent generator that could power two fridges, a freezer, furnace, and the well pump, as well as some lights. What do you recommend, and who would you get to do the electrical work in the Hillsdale area? Approx. cost? Thanks in advance. |
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Check this place out: Electric Generators Direct
A lot of good info, good prices, free delivery & no tax. I ordered a portable Honeywell 7500 watt generator one day and got it the next. I also ordered a manual transfer switch from there, it took a week to get since they were out and it had to ship from the manufacturer. I got it installed and everything set up for $350. Now, I'm ready for the next outage, of course, I've had it for 9 mo now and have never needed to use it. |
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heres where I got my switch and they are in MI
http://www.aplussupply.com/gent/gentran.html |
| I would try to purchase a generator locally, so as to have a local businessman to stand behind his product in the event of any warranty issues. I purchased a generac generator in July (on the internet), and had nothing but trouble getting it sorted out. It came out of the box in a non-operational state, and I waited 3 months for generac to get it straightened-out, and ship me a replacement. I've always thought generac was a quality product, but I've got a little different take on that now. Good Luck. |
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The return process on a generator purchased on the net would be a hassle, I agree, and I decided to stay away from Generac for the sames issues you had.
I looked locally and almost bought one from a local dealer, but they were $500, yes $500 more for the same unit and after all issues needed to be handled by the manufacture, so there was no advantage for the extra $500. I agree, if you can buy locally, do so, but no matter where you buy, do your homework, buy quality and look at the dealer's & manufacturer's reputation before buying. There are a lot of no name generators out there you should stay away from, google cheap generators to see who to stay away from. Also look for local service locations for the brand you buy, so if you do needed service on it, you don't need to send it back to get it fixed. Good luck! |
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Quoted:
The return process on a generator purchased on the net would be a hassle, I agree, and I decided to stay away from Generac for the sames issues you had. I looked locally and almost bought one from a local dealer, but they were $500, yes $500 more for the same unit and after all issues needed to be handled by the manufacture, so there was no advantage for the extra $500. I agree, if you can buy locally, do so, but no matter where you buy, do your homework, buy quality and look at the dealer's & manufacturer's reputation before buying. There are a lot of no name generators out there you should stay away from, google cheap generators to see who to stay away from. Also look for local service locations for the brand you buy, so if you do needed service on it, you don't need to send it back to get it fixed. Good luck! I too ordered from Electric Generators Direct. I ordered a Generac due to their reputation. Surprisingly, I had the experience of having to ship it back via freight just like it was delivered. Due to the nature of the damage I believed it was shipped that way from the factory so I called Generac directly. Generac told me to file a damage claim through EGD, which I thought was going to be the beginning of the "It's not our problem" game. EGD was extremely helpful in getting the problem resolved. As soon as the defective generator was on the truck and they received notice saying this, I had another generator on the way. If I would have been home for delivery, I would have had a new generator at my house within two days of shipping the old one back. Never did I think shipping something as large as a generator by freight would be so easy but EGD really took care of us. |
| Just out of curiosity, what was the problem with your Generac? Mine too came out of the box in a non-operational state, but I elected to try and have it repaired at an authorized service center. If time had permitted, I would have sent it back, but I tried to get it running BEFORE I went on vacation, BIG mistake! Generac was very eager to speak with me on the phone, just NOT willing to ship a replacement unit, even after 2 different service centers said that it was DOA, and not repairable. |
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Quoted:
Just out of curiosity, what was the problem with your Generac? Mine too came out of the box in a non-operational state, but I elected to try and have it repaired at an authorized service center. If time had permitted, I would have sent it back, but I tried to get it running BEFORE I went on vacation, BIG mistake! Generac was very eager to speak with me on the phone, just NOT willing to ship a replacement unit, even after 2 different service centers said that it was DOA, and not repairable. The first thing I noticed when I opened the box were loose pieces of molded plastic. The hunt was on to find where they came from which didn't take long. The "grip" on the oil fill plug was broken off and the plastic piece behind the front panel was damaged. Upon further investigation, the fuel line behind the front panel and the wire to the start switch was cut as well. This all in addition to the front panel, which is made of metal, was bent outward from the unit. All this with no damage to the box to indicate it was a problem in shipping. I could easily replace the fuel line and run a new start switch wire, but the thing that bothered me was the motor was struck when the fuel line and switch wire were damaged. If I fixed these two problems and tried to start it, I wouldn't be able to return the unit if the motor was bad because there is some issue with shipping a unit with gas and/or oil in the motor. After playing phone tag with Generac for a couple days, they insisted their units leave the factory only after each one is thoroughly inspected and the damage MUST have been during shipping. There was no way this was the case but as long as I got a new unit, I didn't care what their rationale was. Perhaps this should have been a red flag for me. I'm disappointed to hear that Generac wasn't willing to help you out despite the verification that the unit was DOA. I might be able to see their issue if you had done the diagnosis and one of their agents had not inspected the unit. Did they end up replacing the unit for you? Mine is supposed to be here today and the box is going to be opened before I take possession even if the box looks fine as it did before. edit to add: I bought a XG8000e btw. |
| My generac is an iX1600, a small portable that I planned for some vacation use. It came out of the box in good shape, but would not start. As time was getting short, I opted to have a local service center (in Taylor) attempt to repair it. They replaced the coil, carb, and LED panel, got it started, then it died, never to start again. From Taylor, it wound-up at a service center in Zeeland, who also disassembled it and diagnosed another bad coil. Generac initially refused to replace the unit, but after 3 months of runaround, they finally shipped a replacement unit. Maybe it will still be running for my vacation NEXT year. During the ordeal, the service centers were pretty good to deal with, I only wish that I had purchased from them directly, as I bet this would have had a much better outcome. As it turned out, the generator forums do not give the Chinese-made generacs a very high rating, so it remains to be seen if this will turn out to be a decent choice or not. |
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Quoted: Bratcher Electric was recommended by the electric company. They did a good, thorough job. No complaints with our mechanical switch or the generator itself. Had it installed ~3 years ago IIRC and it's been humming along whenever we need it. They did my parent's automatic whole house set-up. Experience from beginning to end was perfect. Set-up has worked flawlessly at least 4 times since it was installed 3 months ago. I will be using them in the very near future. |