Best whole home generator

[Smilee]

Be glad to discuss on individual basis. The solution for one isn’t always the best for the next.

Mines been running since 3 am. And everyone’s calling wanting a gen hooked up today.

I’d say we are in for a 2-3 day outage.

[JABIII]

For all the do it yourselfers, know that gensets can backfeed to the mainline and kill the very folks working to restore your power in certain situations. Know what you are doing...

[reeltight]

For all the do it yourselfers, know that gensets can backfeed to the mainline and kill the very folks working to restore your power in certain situations. Know what you are doing...

Correct!

The interlock kit that DC referenced is a must.

https://interlockkit.com/product-cat...QaAn_lEALw_wcB

GenerLink is probably the easiest and safest way to connect, but Dominion Energy will not allow them on your home. I can't speak for Duke, Santee or any of the coops.

https://www.globalpowerproducts.com/...ansfer-switch/

[duckchoppin]

I'd take a look at briggs and stratton. I was all about a generac and someone told me to compare the warranties. Also the weekly exercise for the briggs and stratton is only 6 seconds. I did lot research 2 years ago. If you have any questions I'll be happy to help.

[JABIII]

Me? I am a Cummins Onan man. 25 years worth of sterling service. You might notice that I said we just put in a new Generac. It really needs to be all about your location and service availability. Could not work with the local Onan people and went through 3 different Generac people until I found my old country guy from Walterboro...

[jwilliams]

I'd take a look at briggs and stratton. I was all about a generac and someone told me to compare the warranties. Also the weekly exercise for the briggs and stratton is only 6 seconds. I did lot research 2 years ago. If you have any questions I'll be happy to help.

Think the briggs I bought had a 10 year warranty....10 years ago

[Chuck the Duck Slayer]

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Plus the interlock mentioned above and a soft start on the A/C is now moving up the priority list.

[duckchoppin]

You've got to read the fine print on the warranty. My briggs and stratton came with a 5 year full warranty. The generac was also 5 years but only the first 2 covered everything. The second 2 were like parts only and the last was only major parts. Or something to that effect. Briggs and stratton covered everything. Even the travel and transfer switch. While i see others points in just getting a larger portable and the quick connect switch, you still have to go outside in the middle of the storm to crank it, refuel it ect. Also you might not need as large of a stand by as you think. My water heater and stove are both gas so I don't have to worry about running those off the generator. I also have a wood burning fireplace so running the heat pump is also not a factor. All of the contractors I talked to wanted to sell me a 22k, which is way overkill for what I need. After talking with my electrician and my cousin who is a contractor it was determined the 12.5kw briggs and stratton would be more than enough to live comfortably if we lost power. I then got quotes ranging from 7k-14k for the same job. Ended up buying everything myself and paid my electrician to hook it up for about $4500.

[DRDUCK]

Be glad to discuss on individual basis. The solution for one isn’t always the best for the next.

Mines been running since 3 am. And everyone’s calling wanting a gen hooked up today.

I’d say we are in for a 2-3 day outage.

The old Briggs unit you fixed running the house as I type. I owe you to this day!!

[jwilliams]

You've got to read the fine print on the warranty. My briggs and stratton came with a 5 year full warranty. The generac was also 5 years but only the first 2 covered everything. The second 2 were like parts only and the last was only major parts. Or something to that effect. Briggs and stratton covered everything. Even the travel and transfer switch. While i see others points in just getting a larger portable and the quick connect switch, you still have to go outside in the middle of the storm to crank it, refuel it ect. Also you might not need as large of a stand by as you think. My water heater and stove are both gas so I don't have to worry about running those off the generator. I also have a wood burning fireplace so running the heat pump is also not a factor. All of the contractors I talked to wanted to sell me a 22k, which is way overkill for what I need. After talking with my electrician and my cousin who is a contractor it was determined the 12.5kw briggs and stratton would be more than enough to live comfortably if we lost power. I then got quotes ranging from 7k-14k for the same job. Ended up buying everything myself and paid my electrician to hook it up for about $4500.

Almost positive mine had 10 years. I’ve replaced a relay and a battery, earl and filters. Not to mention these parts are pretty easy to get for me

[Smilee]

We are running wide open. One Generac down, failed voltage regulator. I’m jump starting my own at this point as well.

Another chicken house unit running in battle mode due to oil sending unit failure.

To those interested in standby generators….

First and foremost….how long can you be without power? 10 seconds? Minutes? Hour or two?

Do you cut your own grass?

Do you have propane or natural gas at your location?

Care if it’s manual or automatic?

Do

[Chuck the Duck Slayer]

To those interested in standby generators….

First and foremost….how long can you be without power? 10 seconds? Minutes? Hour or two? i can go weeks without power, wife and kids struggle after 4 hours

Do you cut your own grass? yep with a push mower

Do you have propane or natural gas at your location? sce&g Natural gas

Care if it’s manual or automatic? Manual is fine with me

Do

Again, soft start on the a/c unit and a tri fuel generator are what I’m currently looking at.

[Southernduck]

How do you feel about smaller diesel units? Trailer mounted preferably.

[Smilee]

Again, soft start on the a/c unit and a tri fuel generator are what I’m currently looking at.

100A Manual transfer switch fed from 200A main panel. And the load side of MTS feeds 100A emergency panel. Then use largest V twin powered unit you can afford. Haul in whatever fuel you need.

[Smilee]

How do you feel about smaller diesel units? Trailer mounted preferably.

I have two of them and have moved them twice today helping folks out. I use one to power irrigation normally.

Newer trailer units have to be Tier 4.

[Chuck the Duck Slayer]

100A Manual transfer switch fed from 200A main panel. And the load side of MTS feeds 100A emergency panel. Then use largest V twin powered unit you can afford. Haul in whatever fuel you need.

Thanks. Would love to go natural gas since it is already at the house and right next to main panel

[Smilee]

Thanks. Would love to go natural gas since it is already at the house and right next to main panel

That would be best for you. Oil companies here couldn’t even load fuel on trucks for 2 days.

13kW Predator tri fuel from harbor freight is like $1200 if I recall right.

[cusportsman]

That would be best for you. Oil companies here couldn’t even load fuel on trucks for 2 days.

13kW Predator tri fuel from harbor freight is like $1200 if I recall right.

Yep, would that be a decent budget minded option?

https://www.harborfreight.com/13000-...epa-71386.html


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[Smilee]

Yep, would that be a decent budget minded option?

https://www.harborfreight.com/13000-...epa-71386.html


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Yep. Plenty power there for a small house. Freezer and fridge. Might have to run 2 out of 3 on well, elec water heater and hvac. Just not knowing exact details. Inverter mini splits are easier starting than traditional units.

[cusportsman]

Yep. Plenty power there for a small house. Freezer and fridge. Might have to run 2 out of 3 on well, elec water heater and hvac. Just not knowing exact details. Inverter mini splits are easier starting than traditional units.

HVAC is a 4-5 ton I believe, NG heat
Water heater is NG
Freezer and 2 frig/freezer combos
Lights and ceiling fans

Can hang clothes to dry and hand wash dishes, be nice to run washing machine if it’s an extended outage pushing a week.

Main concern is freezer and refrigerators, but my thought is at least get something big enough to keep the house comfortable

Can even run things in cycles if not capable for everything.