Posted: 8/6/2009 3:54:38 AM EDT
| I've noticed a Generac 8kw (12kW starting) generator for around $1350. 410cc OHVI engine, Generac alternator, electric start, etc. Can I do better on price and reliability in that power range? |
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Check here ! 1100 bucks free shipping... http://www.apelectric.com/portable-generators-s/39.htm
It was just a quick google search...you may still do better. ETA: recoil start is 1100... the electric start is 1220.... (They are pretty easy to pull start ) |
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Compare apples to apples. Figure your total price, with transfer switch, and installation if you aren't installing it yourself. When researching simlar unit I found suppliers who would lowball the generator and then make up the difference (and more) on the transfer switch and installation.
The "problem" I ran into on the 8kw Generacs was that they run full speed all the time, regardless of load. With a larger unit, I can run the basics using less propane than the 8kw model, because they throttle down for light loads, and I also have the capacity to run the big dogs, dryer, A/C, water heater, etc. if need be. Less propane use for minimal generating SHTF times, and more flexibility for temporary storm outages, win-win. |
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The "problem" I ran into on the 8kw Generacs was that they run full speed all the time, regardless of load. With a larger unit, I can run the basics using less propane than the 8kw model, because they throttle down for light loads, and I also have the capacity to run the big dogs, dryer, A/C, water heater, etc. if need be. Did not know that about run speed. That coyuld definitely chew up fuel. Are all Generacs like that? Is there another relaible brand I should look at? I know the Hondas have a good rep but they are pricey. Are there others that make "clean" power sutiable for running electronics? My water heater has electronic controls. for example, and I smoked a computer and TV with my last cheap generator. |
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I almost bought one a month ago and then looking into the fuel consumption; I cannot stockpile enough fuel to use it very long. Instead I bought a 3500KW unit that can keep my basics running for a few weeks. You may want to something like that first.
However if fuel is not an issue or you have a small one already, that generator was the one I was going to settle with for the price/features. I still plan to buy it in the near future. |
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IMO: Unless you are getting a smokin deal on a new one. Slightly used is the way to go, just like anything else (car) as soon as you take it home, you lose 1/3 the value.
Shop around on craigslist, or your local classifieds, there are a ton of generators going up for sale this time of year. |
| I've started very small with a 2,000 watt. It will run 1-20A circuit which covers refrigerator and freezer, some misc CFL lights and perhaps a few other things if the freezer/refrig doesn't start at same time. My next one will be a 3500, big enough to run A/C on camper, but not too bad to manage moving around. The basement doesn't need A/C or heat for the most part. 100deg outside is 73-75 in the basement - 10 degrees outside is about 60-65 in basement. |
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Generac has about 80% of the home standby market
They run great for what they are made to due Please PLEASE check what you want to run on it so a Tech will not tell you that .... Well you have a Unit that has a max Amp output of 160 Amps and you have 360 Amps of load on your 200 Amp transfer switch So yes some breakers are tripping like expected even though you where told by the Home Depot poeple Sales Clerk it was a whole House Unit IF YOU GET INTO AN EXTENDED OUTAGE CHECK THE OIL DAILY Read the manual YES they use a little oil Also be sure to get a bigger Unit if you have a UPS , YES EVEN ONE FOR YOUR LITTLE COMPUTER. I ask that question just to be sure while in the NG/Commertial Class Inverters up the KVA usage and on a unit not sized properly the KW and Amp can be be one Positive and one negative which will cause the KVA to be negative which will just make the little unit go APE SHIT Oh Yes I am a Certified Generac Service Tech Air Cooled to Diesel Powered Just not MPS or Master yet And any specific question... IM and I'll answer the best I can Even if I have to dig out my reference books Basic stuff off the top of my head Fridge 1 KW Freezer 1.5 KW A/C 1 KW PER TON 4 ton unit 4 KW 1 HP motor 1 KW Electrical Heat strips 1 KW PER 100 Sq Ft Yes that is 100 not 1000 I'll have to look up Microwave but about 2 KW I think for a typical one |
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I've noticed a Generac 8kw (12kW starting) generator for around $1350. 410cc OHVI engine, Generac alternator, electric start, etc. Can I do better on price and reliability in that power range? Sams Club sells a 6750 / 8400 Watt Generator with a 390cc Honda motor called the Black Max for $ 936.00 !!! 
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Oh Yes I am a Certified Generac Service Tech Air Cooled to Diesel Powered Just not MPS or Master yet And any specific question... IM and I'll answer the best I can Even if I have to dig out my reference books No reference books needed for this one.... 1) If you were going to buy a standby, would you only shop Generac or are there other brands you would consider OR is there another brand you would only consider? 2) Other than check oil, how are these units for maintenance, how is spare part supply chain and what parts should be kept on hand? thanks! 
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The "problem" I ran into on the 8kw Generacs was that they run full speed all the time, regardless of load. With a larger unit, I can run the basics using less propane than the 8kw model, because they throttle down for light loads, and I also have the capacity to run the big dogs, dryer, A/C, water heater, etc. if need be. Did not know that about run speed. That coyuld definitely chew up fuel. Are all Generacs like that? Is there another relaible brand I should look at? I know the Hondas have a good rep but they are pricey. Are there others that make "clean" power sutiable for running electronics? My water heater has electronic controls. for example, and I smoked a computer and TV with my last cheap generator. I don't know about all Generacs. The guy who put mine in said that 10kw and below, or below 10kw, do not have load sensors or speed governors. I have a 14kw, and it runs my PC network just fine, BUT, I halt the AC before I bring up the PCs. When the 10 amp motor in my AC unit kicks on under feed from the grid, it's maybe a 0.0000013% increase in load, versus total capacity. When it kicks on under generator feed, it is a much higher load increase, and will cause voltage fluctuations on the input side of the PCs, till the gennie comes up to speed to handle the extra load. The fridge and water heater do not seem to bother the PCs, but I don't take showers while the PCs are on either. I'm here alone, another person could cause trouble for delicate electronics if the two of you weren't on the same page. I've had zero troubles with the Generac, beyond those endemic to any auto-start generator. When the county is playing with the grid, either working on it, or re-routing during an outage, the up and down of the grid can be a pain for your gennie and the appliances running under it. The grid comes back up, the gennie transfers the load gently, then the grid drops out from under my toys, several times until the electric company gets it together right. Not good for the toys. In a perfect world, I'd have a switch/relay inside the house. When the gennie came up automatically on grid failure, I could lock out the grid, forcing the gennie to handle all loads whether grid power came back or not, until the grid had been up and stable for more than a few minutes. It's doable, in fact it is ordered, along with whole house current, voltage and ammeters, but the guy is busy and keeps putting me off. Need to get on him. The only other trouble with the Generac has been it regularly scaring the shit out of me, the kids and the cats, when it fires up for self test every Saturday morning at 11 am. It's usually very quiet out here, and sudden loud noises are very noticable. That's not really "trouble" though, in fact, the reliability is a plus. |