Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 52

Thread: Whole House Generator with Automatic Transfer Switch?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Lexington, SC
    Posts
    14,522

    Default Whole House Generator with Automatic Transfer Switch?

    I have a propane tank getting installed in the next couple weeks.

    Instead of continuing doing to do things manually with gas generators and want to have a propane machine installed with auto transfer gear.


    Do we have any sponsors here that handle that? How about some suggestions other that Lowes/ Home Depot.

    Located in the Midlands.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    TR/Sumter/TR
    Posts
    10,509

    Default

    Don't know about sponsors, but Kohler makes a whole home generator. I know Ferguson and Gateway Supply can get them. Also look into Generac.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2001
    Location
    Wateree, South Carolina
    Posts
    48,810

    Default

    Onan out performs Generac and it isn't even close.

    *Based on 20 years of seeing both in heavy use in mountain ice storms in our development...

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Manning, SC
    Posts
    10,712

    Default

    I'd look into one with dual fuel. I heard that some of the people that were running the propane generators went through a ton of propane during Matthew.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    TR/Sumter/TR
    Posts
    10,509

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by JABIII View Post
    Onan out performs Generac and it isn't even close.

    *Based on 20 years of seeing both in heavy use in mountain ice storms in our development...
    Never heard of Onan. Learn something everyday I reckon.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Anderson
    Posts
    2,399

    Default

    Im in the upstate but we put in 20-22 kw generacs all the time to back up 200 amp services. Relatively simple. Go to electricgeneratorsdirect.com to see pricing on 20kw generac units. We put them in for around 8-10k, depending on difficulty of scope...
    \"Go to Know\"

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Lexington, SC
    Posts
    14,522

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by FBT View Post
    Im in the upstate but we put in 20-22 kw generacs all the time to back up 200 amp services. Relatively simple. Go to electricgeneratorsdirect.com to see pricing on 20kw generac units. We put them in for around 8-10k, depending on difficulty of scope...
    Dad has a 22 generac going in next week. $8.5k installed.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Anderson
    Posts
    2,399

    Default

    sounds about right..........
    \"Go to Know\"

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    FROG LEVEL
    Posts
    23,785

    Default

    ONAN has been around ALONG TIME.
    Gettin old is for pussies! AND MY NEW TRUE people say like Capt. Tom >>>>>>>>>/
    "Wow, often imitated but never duplicated. No one can do it like the master. My hat is off to you DRDUCK!"

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    Spartanburg
    Posts
    49,652

    Default

    I have a 20kw Cummins and 250 gallons of propane. I can put you in touch with the man.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Nov 2015
    Posts
    1,269

    Default

    Learn me on the install, why 8-10k?

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Pawleys Island
    Posts
    35,933

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Jscrapmetal View Post
    Learn me on the install, why 8-10k?
    Because they are basically rewiring the breaker panel so that the service and generator are connected and controlling the supply to the entire house. It isn't something that a DIY electrician really wants to screw around with. $8-10K is the average price for a 20-25Kw generator with Auto Transfer to be installed plus gas tank if needed.
    Yeah, but do you consider a dog to be a filthy animal? I wouldn't go so far as to call a dog filthy but they're definitely dirty. But, a dog's got personality. Personality goes a long way.


    You might take out a dozen before they drag you from your home and skull fuck you to death. Marsh Chicken 6/21/2013

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Carolina Backcountry
    Posts
    12,265

    Default

    we have briggs on all our offices at work. We went through a class on working on them etc and they are pretty slick. I have the guys card in my truck if you want his info. Guy at work just bought one and I think its a 12kw and was right at 3000 with transfer switches
    Last edited by Phone Man; 09-13-2017 at 03:17 PM.
    "Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it. The river was cut by the world's great flood and runs over rocks from the basement of time. On some of the rocks are timeless raindrops. Under the rocks are the words, and some of the words are theirs.
    I am haunted by waters" Norman Maclean.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Nov 2015
    Posts
    1,269

    Default

    gotcha

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Jan 2002
    Location
    Lexington, SC
    Posts
    20,832

    Default

    I asked a guy about this a week or so back - he suggested diesel over propane or NG. More reliable/less preventative maintenance was the gist of it.
    "Only accurate rifles are interesting " - Col. Townsend Whelen

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Lexington, SC
    Posts
    14,522

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Swamp Rat View Post
    I asked a guy about this a week or so back - he suggested diesel over propane or NG. More reliable/less preventative maintenance was the gist of it.
    But then you have diesel in a tank just sitting and going bad.

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Sep 2001
    Location
    Wateree, South Carolina
    Posts
    48,810

    Default

    Propane has been pretty flawless for us over there years. It does suck it down during long periods of outage, but fuck it. Beats not having electricity...

    You can make do with a Honda 2000 that will seemingly run for 7 months on a gallon of gas if you get worried about the propane bill...

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Nov 2015
    Posts
    1,269

    Default

    I am tired of making do. I want my whole house running.

  19. #19
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Darlington
    Posts
    2,249

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by uga_dawg View Post
    I'd look into one with dual fuel. I heard that some of the people that were running the propane generators went through a ton of propane during Matthew.
    My buddy that sells propane said a 20-24 kw will burn through about 50 gallons a day.
    Quote Originally Posted by Birddawg View Post
    I dont know how it was done. For all I know that weird bastard that determined it's gender licked it.

  20. #20
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Summerville
    Posts
    14,557

    Default

    I think we have a generac at the cabin. When it kicks on you can watch the gauge on the propane tank falling from the kitchen window.

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •