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Whole-House Backup Generators

After several delays, my Kohler whole-house standby generator was installed about 2 months ago (Sept 2024).

  • Kohler 26RCAL-QS50 (26kW) generator (which comes from the factory with the cold weather package). Configured for whole house backup (vs. only critical circuits).
    RXT automatic transfer switch and RDC2 controller.

  • “QwikPad® for Generators” compatible with Kohler 26RCAL-QS50. I recommend this pad. When the pad is filled with water, the water forms a gel. This results in a strong, heavy base. The generator bolts to the pad using corrosion-resistant stainless steel mounting hardware. This results in a nice looking, secure installation.

  • Ethernet cable to connect generator to customer’s router/modem in basement. (I decided on a hard-wired ethernet connection to my mesh router in my basement, because I was told this would be more reliable than the Kohler® OnCue® Plus Wireless Radio Kit.)

  • Battery: 12 VDC. Battery Cold cranking amps: 1000.

  • Kohler 10 Year Extended Warranty

Not directly related to the generator, at the same time I had installed:
  • Whole-house surge protector: Intermatic SMART GUARD Surge Protective. (I’ve bought 3 of the IMODULE replacement plug-ins that the homeowner can replace without requiring an electrician.)

  • Duplex 120VAC convenience outlet installed near the electrical panel in basement.

My local natural gas utility company upgraded my gas meter to a new unit with a higher flow rate.

I purchased two uninterruptible power supplies to provide continuous power for critical electronics such as PCs, routers, and internet and VoIP appliances. (One UPS is in my office. The other is in the basement.)

My decision to install a whole-house automatic stand-by generator vs. a portable generator was based on several factors. I’m getting older, and I have mobility issues. My 100 year-old house has a detached garage, and the garage door is the only entrance. To gain access to the garage when the power is out, I have to use a mechanical key to unlock a cylinder that’s connected to a pull cable (called an Emergency Release Lock Kit). Therefore, if I had bought a portable generator, during a power outage I would have to go outside and successfully operate the garage door pull cable (which is sometimes difficult), manually raise the 18’ wide garage door, and haul out the portable generator, connect it via an extension cord to the male power inlet receptacle, and hope the generator starts. I’d have to manually operate a switch in the basement, both when the power goes out and when it comes back on. Of course, the power outage might be in the middle of the night, and the power outage might occur during a snow or ice storm. And - best case with a portable generator - only part of the circuits in my house would be backed up.

Subsequent to installation of my whole-house stand-by generator, I’ve experienced one commercial power outage that lasted 90 minutes. The Kohler generator performed as expected.

My only quibble is that it’s a little louder than I had hoped. (Kohler touts: “Quiet, neighborhood-friendly operation”.)

My new Kohler whole house generator was expensive – but it’s nice to have the entire house backed up by a fully automatic system. When a power outage occurs, I don’t have to lift a finger. I don’t have to go outside and deal with the cold and darkness – and possibly an icy driveway.

I’m satisfied with the installation.
 
Dr Tinear said:
Does anyone here have experience with a whole-house backup generator that runs on natural gas? Third World Power and Light -- my pet name for DTE Energy, the electric utility that serves most of southeast Michigan -- served up another of their periodic outages last night. The outages of several seconds or minutes that knock out all the electric clocks in the house and require the smart thermostat to reboot itself are annoying, but not nearly as irritating as last night's outage of nearly three hours.

I'm now considering a whole-house backup generator, fueled with natural gas, with an automatic transfer switch that starts the generator and switches automatically from utility power to generator power. If you have experience with one of these or recommendations on which ones are worth considering, I invite you to share your insights in this thread.
Click to expand...
Genarac is the most popular seem to have a nice build quaility . Keep in mind they typically have a ten yr life span and most require a maintenance plan to keep the warrantee . They start up weekly for self testing .
 
nj pheonix said:
I've been on the fence for a portable.
For reasons that escape me, I have pretty bulletproof utility power. In 11 years I've lost 2 days of power (different instances)
It's tough to justify the install cost based on that (I can do it myself)
Bob , I'll take one of those little transfer switch set ups. It'd make a portable a little easier.
I'll reach out to you directly. Thanks for the offer :thumbsup:
OTOH
My sister lost power for 14 (?) Days after Sandy.
She had a whole house generac put in (NG)
She said never again .
Then again , I don't know if she's lost power since.
Another thought ,
They have to be maintained.
Oil changed, battery terminals cleaned (condition checked)
Plus they run periodically to keep battery charged.
My point is its not a one time cost. It has some overhead and maintenance .
Something to consider
Click to expand...
I have a 50 amp circuit that I use for a spa panel plus a heavy 50 amp 220 outlet if my power goes out I can borrow my dads or brothers genarator both live close but different areas ! I turn off the main back feed through the 50 amp circuit to the outlets in the house . There generators are 7330 watts with 1100o peak gas powered . It’s enough to run the well , septic furnace lites with no issues ! Of course in that situation I also turn of the hot tub gfi because if it’s 5 k heating elements , plus I always winterize it before the first freezing temps
 
robert_kc said:
After several delays, my Kohler whole-house standby generator was installed about 2 months ago (Sept 2024).

  • Kohler 26RCAL-QS50 (26kW) generator (which comes from the factory with the cold weather package). Configured for whole house backup (vs. only critical circuits).
    RXT automatic transfer switch and RDC2 controller.

  • “QwikPad® for Generators” compatible with Kohler 26RCAL-QS50. I recommend this pad. When the pad is filled with water, the water forms a gel. This results in a strong, heavy base. The generator bolts to the pad using corrosion-resistant stainless steel mounting hardware. This results in a nice looking, secure installation.

  • Ethernet cable to connect generator to customer’s router/modem in basement. (I decided on a hard-wired ethernet connection to my mesh router in my basement, because I was told this would be more reliable than the Kohler® OnCue® Plus Wireless Radio Kit.)

  • Battery: 12 VDC. Battery Cold cranking amps: 1000.

  • Kohler 10 Year Extended Warranty

Not directly related to the generator, at the same time I had installed:
  • Whole-house surge protector: Intermatic SMART GUARD Surge Protective. (I’ve bought 3 of the IMODULE replacement plug-ins that the homeowner can replace without requiring an electrician.)

  • Duplex 120VAC convenience outlet installed near the electrical panel in basement.

My local natural gas utility company upgraded my gas meter to a new unit with a higher flow rate.

I purchased two uninterruptible power supplies to provide continuous power for critical electronics such as PCs, routers, and internet and VoIP appliances. (One UPS is in my office. The other is in the basement.)

My decision to install a whole-house automatic stand-by generator vs. a portable generator was based on several factors. I’m getting older, and I have mobility issues. My 100 year-old house has a detached garage, and the garage door is the only entrance. To gain access to the garage when the power is out, I have to use a mechanical key to unlock a cylinder that’s connected to a pull cable (called an Emergency Release Lock Kit). Therefore, if I had bought a portable generator, during a power outage I would have to go outside and successfully operate the garage door pull cable (which is sometimes difficult), manually raise the 18’ wide garage door, and haul out the portable generator, connect it via an extension cord to the male power inlet receptacle, and hope the generator starts. I’d have to manually operate a switch in the basement, both when the power goes out and when it comes back on. Of course, the power outage might be in the middle of the night, and the power outage might occur during a snow or ice storm. And - best case with a portable generator - only part of the circuits in my house would be backed up.

Subsequent to installation of my whole-house stand-by generator, I’ve experienced one commercial power outage that lasted 90 minutes. The Kohler generator performed as expected.

My only quibble is that it’s a little louder than I had hoped. (Kohler touts: “Quiet, neighborhood-friendly operation”.)

My new Kohler whole house generator was expensive – but it’s nice to have the entire house backed up by a fully automatic system. When a power outage occurs, I don’t have to lift a finger. I don’t have to go outside and deal with the cold and darkness – and possibly an icy driveway.

I’m satisfied with the installation.
Click to expand...
Well very good for you, Robert_kc, Sir.
I made the same whole house capable liquid cooled (best for FL`s very hot days versus air cooled ) full 25kw output LP fueled genset purchase decision (Generac in my case) in the spring of 1999 after having to occasionally deal with a manual pull starting 4kw portable with load management and the hassles of gasoline procurement and the only use of one hand/arm refilling for the preceding 10yrs. of living here in hurricane/lightning Alley prone NE. FL.
A little over 5 yrs. later in 2004`s late Sept. when 3 hurricanes blew through my area trashing a good portion of the area`s power grid put me on my generator for a continuous 9 &1/5 days promptly justified and amortized my purchasing decision for the genset and (4) 120 gal purchased LP tanks (so I can buy refills/top offs from whatever area LP gas Cos. providing the best price) to exclusively fuel it).
No other household appliances require LP fuel, except my grill, and I have 2 rotating 20 lb. tanks for it.

As to surge/spike protection, my whole house starts at the power Co. meter type that I purchased from them instead of renting it, in 1997, and that is followed up with a Leviton brand whole house breaker panel monitored that was installed by me almost 10 yrs. ago, that uses 2 separate 20 amp breakers for L1/L2 taking care of all my house`s circuits, especially the 240 v ones from outside power spikes/surges or the same while on my genset with quality end point protection in each room`s A/V electronics.

I even had a custom made surge/spike protector created for my transfer switch`s & genset`s various control cabling that is run through the attic between the 2 equipment after a very nearby lightning strike to a tree in my yard in the summer of 2004 confused the gensets control module from the extreme close by EMP that resulted in the generator not powering back down after the knocked out grid returned later.
Being partially paralyzed, I love and greatly appreciate that, if during the dark evening and I`m walking through the house and the grid unexpectedly goes down for whatever reason, I can just stop walking and within a minute or so my house becomes powered back up and I can resume all my normal household activities with just a mild acoustical level engine hum heard in the house.
A recommendation if I may, if not already installed in your Kohler, when it`s time to replace the genset`s cranking battery replace it, or have it replaced, (if you`re are not servicing the genset yourself) with a Optima red top battery, as from direct experience, their worth the higher price, the last one that was replaced here last yr. in my genset lasted just over 10 yrs. and the 2 preceding different brand name wet cell batteries exploded when the genset`s Mitsubishi inline 4 cylinder 1.5 liter engine started to weekly exercise crank !
 
At one time I had an electrical contracting company. We we're a Generac dealer.
Installed a lot of those. Not to offend anyone but I would not recomend them.
I get it, something is better than nothing and price is a major factor.

This was about 15 years ago. But Generac was hit & miss with their quality.
They really aren't made to handle a lot of hours.
The company provides 0 end customer support as a policy.
They ask their dealers to support customers.
Many dealers only wart the sale and install.

Many of our sales were after someone had damages from the power going out.
Sump pumps with battery back-up going dead in a storm.
Freezer ice makers melting flooding kitchen wood floor.
Fish tanks draining out from the pump, flooding the floor below.
Spoiled food.
 
Visit Vegas said:
At one time I had an electrical contracting company. We we're a Generac dealer.
Installed a lot of those. Not to offend anyone but I would not recomend them.
I get it, something is better than nothing and price is a major factor.

This was about 15 years ago. But Generac was hit & miss with their quality.
They really aren't made to handle a lot of hours.
The company provides 0 end customer support as a policy.
They ask their dealers to support customers.
Many dealers only wart the sale and install.

Many of our sales were after someone had damages from the power going out.
Sump pumps with battery back-up going dead in a storm.
Freezer ice makers melting flooding kitchen wood floor.
Fish tanks draining out from the pump, flooding the floor below.
Spoiled food.
Click to expand...
Fair enough, I bought mine in 1999, and have done 98% of my own maintenance for those over 25 yrs. and can`t complain about the reliability of my Generac 25 kw genset, and with Kohler, etc. nipping at Generac`s heels (sales) maybe they`ll clean up their act.
After 2004`s rather busy hurricane season, I noticed my 2 blocks away county fire station and the nearby sewer pumping station both had Generac diesel fueled gensets installed, plus their seen at my area`s cell tower sites, I guess we got good products before Generac started slipping.

I`m not claiming to be a Generac fanboy, just my first one and only particular standby genset purchase and and with minor modifications use has been very satisfactory for well over 25 yrs. of ownership.
When I have needed specialized Generac parts for mine I have bought them via Ordertree. com, no local dealer`s marked up prices do I pay.
 
Air cooled comes to mind with generac. The lower price point up to around 18kw last I seen.
1998 - 2008 Generac was owned by Brigs & Stratton.
Around 2008 they started pushing their sales to larger retailers like Home Depot but neglecting their dealers.

I seen lots of problems with them. The last one about 2 years ago maybe a 15kw the engine died.
But that was an unusial set-up wit a large amount on money spent tring to be green.
 
For large diesel units Cummings is the king.
They don't require emissions like DEF & catoletic converters because they burn clean enough.

I remember in 2020 Vovo wanted 3 of their generators to power an exhibition they had.
Maybe 200 to 250KW each. Looked like new. In a weeks time all 3 failed.
Not mechanical or electriacl failure but emissions.
Thier Vovo service tech said when their's an emmision problem the units are locked from working.
The computers had to get sent to the factory to be reset.
They just kept em off and towed away at the end.
 
Visit Vegas said:
Air cooled comes to mind with generac. The lower price point up to around 18kw last I seen.
1998 - 2008 Generac was owned by Brigs & Stratton.
Around 2008 they started pushing their sales to larger retailers like Home Depot but neglecting their dealers.

I seen lots of problems with them. The last one about 2 years ago maybe a 15kw the engine died.
But that was an unusial set-up wit a large amount on money spent tring to be green.
Click to expand...
This area`s genset service folks have told me with the elevated summertime late afternoon ~early evening still day light temperatures the air cooled gensets of "all brands" don`t hold up trying to run large ton HVACs, hot water heaters, plus the stove and often overheat then shut down to protect themselves, but hey they look visually pretty like a air to air HVAC compressor on the side of the house, instead of the industrial looking liquid cooled unit that I chose, that easily powers my full house while laughing when the outside temperature is in the high nineties many, many times in the past 25 + yrs. !

I have watched friends & neighbors become interested in buying a generator, and after a big box store salesperson recommends a certain size portable gasoline fueled genset, and they bounce its capacity off me I always encourage a minimum of 25 % higher capacity then what they think they need for ease of load management and comfort, and when they choose to ignore and after finding out that their wife and daughter are trying to blow dry their hair at the same time with the 1000 watt Mr. Coffee boiling water in the kitchen, etc. after showering in the morning before school, and work and tripping the gensets breaker every morning because he is unable to re-train them the importance of electrical use load management during extended multi day hurricane power outages, so when these folks moan and groan to me, I can`t help but to smile and say, well, I warned you when you asked my advice ! My long time childhood friend finally showed his wife and daughter how to turn off some in use high wattage electrical devices and then go out to the garage and reset the genset`s master 240v breaker so they could go back inside and finish their morning vanity prep.
 
Yes air cooled are not durable.

Home Depot doesn't install anything. They sub out their work to people work for almost nothing.
I asked a store manager outside of work what their bigest problem is.
He said their At Home Services.
Said he get's complaints all the time and tells people to call corpatate.
Lot of these big companies don't have the proper license to do certain jobs.
The same goes for these subs.
 
yetey said:
Yes, a whole-house natural gas generator with an automatic transfer switch is a solid solution for long or frequent outages. It will automatically start and switch your home’s power from the utility to the generator, keeping heating, lights, and essential appliances running seamlessly. Make sure the generator is properly sized for your home’s load and professionally installed to meet local codes. Natural gas is convenient since you don’t need to store fuel, but regular maintenance is still important for reliability. For most homes with frequent outages, this setup is worth the investment.
Click to expand...
I was forced to feel the need store a fairly large quantity (4) 120 gal. tanks of LP for my Generac 25kw genset, being no natural gas is available in my neighborhood, primarily for sustained grid being down because of hurricanes being destructively occasionally attracted to my N. FL. area.

I n 2004 after 3 hurricanes swept through here in short succession, I was continuously on my genset for 9 &1/2 days, and though I personally mounted/secured the genset to the concrete myself, my electrician fully code compliance wired it up, as was signed off by both my electric provider`s field engineer and county`s building electrical inspector.
As I indicated earlier somewhere in this thread, my house`s auto transfer backup genset setup was personally purchased by me from a Generac dealer and initiated in the beginning of 1999, and the setup was exactly duplicated at my parents house in 2005 by their request, so this whole house standby generator configuration & use is not my first rodeo.
 
We had a natural gas Kohler 20Kw whole house installed last year also. Company did a great job vetting our needs and installing it too.
It will 'self-test' every Sat at noon and so far hasn't missed a beat yet.
It appears to me to be fairly loud at WOT on initial start up but also quiets down considerably after start up.
We feel much safer now with winter ice storm season approaching. We'll see.
 
We lucked out with our house being in an area that shares a substation with some US Govt. facilities nearby. ( HHS and Fema warehouses.) The power lines around us are underground, that helps too. I think we have had fewer than a half dozen outages that lasted an hour or more in the 23 years we have lived here- usually in the summer.
 
ernieb1536 said:
Genarac is the most popular seem to have a nice build quaility . Keep in mind they typically have a ten yr life span and most require a maintenance plan to keep the warrantee . They start up weekly for self testing .
Click to expand...
Interesting statement about Generac genset`s typical life prediction, I guess mine didn`t get the inter office memo !
Maybe for their air cooled versions which have a lower life expectancy!

My spring time 1999 installed 25kw LP fueled liquid cooled auto backup genset is still plugging along 26 yrs. later, with only oil/filter changes, battery replacements/upgrade, several OEM muffler replacements, until I had a custom SS version made ~ 5 yrs. ago.
I have maintained mine, and only cycle it once a month for 20 minutes to save on pricy LP fuel costs.

My local Generac dealer that I purchased my genset from, when they sent out the service guy for the first factory mandated inspection first startup checkout, after being led through my house via my work shop, indicated that he would report back to the dealer that I appeared quite skilled enough to satisfactorily maintain the genset without requiring a maintenance contract for the products warranty, plus I was on file with the dealer for purchasing the factory service manual.

I also modified my 200 amp transfer switch cover replacement after the 1 yr. warrant expired to have full genset`s output monitoring from inside the house, via HQ electrical Simpson brand metering that I installed, along with switches, fuses to facilitate safe troubleshooting & servicing, plus, the switches allow me to fool the genset into thinking the grid has gone down to truly test the genset powering the house`s load, that the weekly exercise doesn`t completely address, at least from a generator`s point of view`s capability of useful electrical load power delivery.
 
In the process of buying a home and 5 acres in the country . My son and his wife will be moving in and eventually buying it from us. I have this trusty Onan 12kw air cooled diesel generator that I got from a company that rented storage space on my 10 aces I sold awhile back. Runs, puts out power (3 phase). We'll move it up there for stand-by until they get settled in and buy something nicer.

Oldie but goodie.

onan1.jpg
 
dosmalo said:
^^That's a pretty cool looking unit there.^^
Click to expand...
Original skid plate, I put the aluminum stickers under it so a forklift can pick it up, plus mounted the 25 gallon military surplus stainless fuel tank. I also added a surplus 50 amp 3 phase breaker. Ready to go.
 
I decided to upgrade my inverter gen last year to a 9000 instead of the 3500 unit I'd been using. I do my research and order it from big A and it was delivered here for a good price.

The generator started right up, ran fine, produced electricity but sadly the nice electronic display didn't work. I contact the company and they ship me a new electronic console. I started the disassembly to replace it and before I get too far I realize it was more than I was capable of replacing.

I call the generator company again and they decide to ship me a new unit as there was no service center nearby. They told me to keep the first generator as it wasn't worth the cost of the return shipping to them. So I listed that generator for half price on the MP along with the brand new console and a description of what happened. It sold quickly to a happy buyer.

Now a year later I've still yet to lose the power so it sits patiently waiting. Just like my modded Honda snowblower which also sits and waits for the storm that never seems to happen.
20241226_081649.jpg
 
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