Whole-House Backup Generators

[motorstereo]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure we'll never lose utility power ever again now.

But there is a sure fired way to make sure you do lose it

 

[ernieb1536]

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.

That estimate was told to me by a generac tech who said the new ones don’t last like the old ones and they are not ment for continued off grid use ! Results may vary lol

 

[dosmalo]

But there is a sure fired way to make sure you do lose it

True that one.

 

[Bill Ferris]

That estimate was told to me by a generac tech who said the new ones don’t last like the old ones and they are not meant for continued off grid use ! Results may vary lol

That`s sadly probably true about a lot of recently manufactured products !
Even my liquid cooled model even indicates in the owner`s manual that it`s not meant for continuous duty, which I can understand with its 1.5 liter Mitsubishi engine running at 3,600 RPM for 60 Hz. and to deliver the engine`s powerband rated horsepower needed for the 25kw max output.

I, with that in mind, changed over to Wix oil filter, & Royal Purple brand synthetic oil to help with preserving engine long life after a few yrs..

The longest continuous operation for it was in 2004 with 3 hurricanes passing through my area in quick succession knocking down my area`s grid for 9 & 1/2 days, and having full non restricted household electricity available for my safety and comfort, and to me, that completely amortized & justified my effort and expense of the auto backup/standby genset.

 

[dosmalo]

In 2010 we had an F3 tornado move thru our side of town and beyond knocking out power to a great number of neighborhoods (ours included) for 14 days. I could hear generators running every time I opened up windows or left for work. We basically lived out of an igloo cooler and went to bed at dark. Thankfully we still had hot showers since the hot tank is a 25 y.o. nat gas unit. Nothing 'smart' about that puppy. It just keeps heating the water like it should. ( I dread the day I have to replace it.)
Oh, and then there was the ice storm two years before that and that was almost as bad, just not as much property damage.
I may be whistling in the dark (Ha!) but at least I feel better now.