Combat Auto 174 Posted August 30, 2013 Anyone have one (natural gas or propoane) for power outages? Any good? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PEACEFROG 16 Posted August 30, 2013 Just had one installed, Gnerac 20K. hooked up to nat gas. Its already come on line about a month ago. never again without power. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
10X 3,278 Posted August 30, 2013 I've got their GP5500 W model. Haven't yet had a chance to use it, other than for a break in period, and to exercise it for 20 minutes a month. I'm impressed by what I've seen, though. Seems well made, and Consumer Reports labeled it a top pick a few months ago. Amazon.com had the best price. Free shipping. I just opened the box where the truck dropped it off and put the included wheel kit on, then wheeled it around to the garage. I was impressed that--despite it never having oil or gas in in previously--it started on the first pull. It has ever since. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pizza Bob 1,488 Posted August 30, 2013 17kW here propane powered. Installed by NJKen from here on the board. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CMJeepster 2,766 Posted August 30, 2013 NJGF generator talk: http://njgunforums.com/forum/index.php?/topic/41566-talk-about-non-gasoline-generators-propane-nat-gas/page__st__30 I want to do a tri-fuel conversion on my portable some day soon to be "belt and suspenders." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RUTGERS95 889 Posted August 30, 2013 I just got my trifuel kit in the mail today and will report with how it works as I'll set it up this weekend. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CMJeepster 2,766 Posted August 30, 2013 Please do. I need my black pipe extended and fittings installed first. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RUTGERS95 889 Posted August 31, 2013 I plan on getting a longer nat gas hose and connecting it to that but when I get it all together, I'll give a full report those gas hoses are expensive by the way....damn Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
keroberos 0 Posted August 31, 2013 avoid generac they go out of their way to screw customers on warranties kolher, onan, john deere, cat, and briggs are good Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crazyboy 13 Posted August 31, 2013 Have installed quite a few of the generac, and their rebranded names, with zero problems. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
M1152 713 Posted August 31, 2013 If you get a portable (regardless of whatever brand you decide on) make sure it has the LOW OIL SHUTOFF. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Respect2A 0 Posted August 31, 2013 If you get a portable (regardless of whatever brand you decide on) make sure it has the LOW OIL SHUTOFF. Did you learn that the hard way? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Howard 538 Posted August 31, 2013 I have a Generac portable 7500 Watt continuous unit and it works great. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
M1152 713 Posted August 31, 2013 Did you learn that the hard way? I purchased my system the day before Irene (storm before Sandy) at the HomeDepot as they were taking them off the truck, so there were no choices ... My system don’t the Low Oil Shutoff but it’s a good system. The upgraded model of my system now has it Low Oil Shutoff. I’m learned to pull dipsticks and check oil levels a long time ago, longer than I care to mention. The point is if you are in the middle of a storm and your oil level was good on day 1 it may not be good on day 3 especially if you are on NG and you don’t have to worry about refueling. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NJKen 23 Posted August 31, 2013 avoid generac they go out of their way to screw customers on warranties kolher, onan, john deere, cat, and briggs are good As a generac dealer I am curios to hear your story. You can PM it to me if you would rather. I have been beat up a little bit by generac to make sure something was handled under warranty that was actually caused by the installing contractor. If you still have the unit and still have a problem I may be able to help you mediate it. FWIW, I do install all makes and models of generators and they all have their quirks, be it customer service or mechanical. Ken Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ryan_j 0 Posted September 2, 2013 I would go with an Onan. Costco sells them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RUTGERS95 889 Posted September 2, 2013 As a generac dealer I am curios to hear your story. You can PM it to me if you would rather. I have been beat up a little bit by generac to make sure something was handled under warranty that was actually caused by the installing contractor. If you still have the unit and still have a problem I may be able to help you mediate it. FWIW, I do install all makes and models of generators and they all have their quirks, be it customer service or mechanical. Ken outstanding offer here..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
71ragtopgoat 23 Posted September 2, 2013 Dont know if it was mentioned before. But this months Consumer reports rates them. I've found them( consumers) to be pretty good. I cross reference with Amazon personnel reviews and am always very pleased with the results. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
blksheep 466 Posted September 2, 2013 As a generac dealer I am curios to hear your story. You can PM it to me if you would rather. I have been beat up a little bit by generac to make sure something was handled under warranty that was actually caused by the installing contractor. If you still have the unit and still have a problem I may be able to help you mediate it. FWIW, I do install all makes and models of generators and they all have their quirks, be it customer service or mechanical. Ken How far do you come down? I'm in Plumsted Twp. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EX Carnival man 223 Posted September 2, 2013 As a generac dealer I am curios to hear your story. You can PM it to me if you would rather. I have been beat up a little bit by generac to make sure something was handled under warranty that was actually caused by the installing contractor. If you still have the unit and still have a problem I may be able to help you mediate it. FWIW, I do install all makes and models of generators and they all have their quirks, be it customer service or mechanical. Ken Ken is it true if A home owner was to go with a large generator, around 20KW they would need to run a separate NG line with another meter? Also how do you feel about Kohler? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fireman00 0 Posted September 2, 2013 Honda eb 7500... 16 years old. Starts on the 2ND pull every time. Looking into a way to modify my 10.2 kilowatt solar array "grid tied" system to use deep cycle AGM battery bank. Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ktd1597 10 Posted September 3, 2013 I bought this Honda Generator put together up in Bangor Maine. I built a house around it and installed it onto a transfer switch. http://www.generatorsales.com/order/Honda-13kw-Propane-Generator.asp?page=H04595 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Danno 127 Posted September 3, 2013 avoid generac they go out of their way to screw customers on warranties kolher, onan, john deere, cat, and briggs are good Was waiting for this post. Always a negative Nellie in the crowd. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Malsua 1,422 Posted September 3, 2013 I have a 14kw standyby from Generac that has been perfect. Ran 25 hours during Sandy, runs an exercise once a week. No issues at all. Propane. Also, as asked above, most residential nat gas installs need more fuel than the regulator that feeds your house can provide. The gas company will advise on your particular needs. Its something they do all the time, so it is one of the lesser things to worry about. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
keroberos 0 Posted September 3, 2013 As a generac dealer I am curios to hear your story. You can PM it to me if you would rather. I have been beat up a little bit by generac to make sure something was handled under warranty that was actually caused by the installing contractor. If you still have the unit and still have a problem I may be able to help you mediate it. FWIW, I do install all makes and models of generators and they all have their quirks, be it customer service or mechanical. Ken Couple of friends are dealers and techs that are around the country, they've told me various stories about them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
keroberos 0 Posted September 3, 2013 Was waiting for this post. Always a negative Nellie in the crowd. This post is stupid. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NJKen 23 Posted September 3, 2013 How far do you come down? I'm in Plumsted Twp. Yes, Ill PM you Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NJKen 23 Posted September 3, 2013 Ken is it true if A home owner was to go with a large generator, around 20KW they would need to run a separate NG line with another meter? Also how do you feel about Kohler? No, you may need to have a larger meter installed though. A separate meter is not required in this part of the country. If you can locate the generator close to the gas meter as posible it will always help as far as plumbing goes. Wire is easier to run that gas line. Kohler builds a fine machine. They are well engineered and will serve you well. They do not have the dealer and parts network that Generac has though. If you could get a better deal on the Kohler go for it. Ken Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NJKen 23 Posted September 3, 2013 I would go with an Onan. Costco sells them. I am not familiar with that particular model. I do doubt that it is an Onan manufactured unit though. Onan is almost as expensive as Caterpilllar as far as pricing goes. If you have an older Onan part are crazy enough to make you junk it. They are not the same since Cummins bought them out. Just my $.02 Ken Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NJKen 23 Posted September 3, 2013 Couple of friends are dealers and techs that are around the country, they've told me various stories about them. Anyone ragging on this as negative needs to stop. Generac is not without its problems. I had to go through several rounds of contract negotiations with them to get things rite. They try to low ball dealer and the ones that accept it are usually abused. It is a shame but this post is not entirely off base. As far as their product quality goes, they are pretty darn good. You will have problems with anything and that is the truth. Generac has actually subbed out their entire technical department and warranty department to an outside company. Anyone who has gone through their service and repair classes will understand why. Since that change and their unofficial partnership with Siemens things have changed. Ill tell anyine the good, the bad, and the ugly about anything I know about. I dont swear by any one company for anything. Of all, I have had the best luck with Generac and Caterpillar. Ken Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites