|
Post by fishnfool on Aug 24, 2020 21:51:55 GMT -5
I have an 18 KW whole house generator made by Generac. The house is 2800 sq feet with 4 ton AC and well pump. This unit runs everything in the house. The unit does cycle for 15 minutes every Sunday. When the power goes out there is a few second delay before the generator starts. This happens in case the power just flicks off and back on. When the power returns the generator will still run for about 15 -20 seconds to make sure the power styed on. The generator will run on propane or natural gas with a flip of a switch on the carb. Total cost for the unit and transfer switch was around 2400.00 - electrical 600.00 - permit 65.00. Great piece of mind especially when your not home keeps the alarm system, AC/heat and sump pump ready. If you can find one now you should jump on it. My brother is a dealer/installer for Generac and has sold 19 of his 20 units in the last few weeks. He has 15 on order a is told they wont ship till mid October and they are all sold. We are in Delaware and got hit bad on the last storm. My unit is 4 years old with no problems. Check to see if Generac is offering the seven year warranty for free. Good info, thanks for sharing. I was expecting the cost to be higher. Is that a friend's and family discount price?
|
|
Pepe
Seaman
Posts: 126
|
Post by Pepe on Aug 25, 2020 7:32:22 GMT -5
I have a Tradewinds With a John Deer engine 35 KVA, house is 4000 sq ft runs everything,including 2 5 tons A/C units and 1 2.5 Tons unit, pool, pool heater. Generator is connected to a automatic transfer switch. Fuel tank 200 gallons last 10 days. Will love to have gas but unfortunately there is no gas lines running on my street. Price around 18K with concrete slab, permits and electric connection. Installed 7 years ago.
|
|
|
Post by ontheline on Aug 26, 2020 4:36:56 GMT -5
If you can, do the whole house with gas. When i had my place built i put in a 500 gallon tank to run hot water, hybrid heat, and cooktop. Here’s something to remember with portables; much like with other gas fueled machines If you don’t run it occasionally it might be an issue when you need it. The ethanol just eats them up from sitting just like it does everything else...
|
|
|
Post by hookedup on Aug 26, 2020 7:03:52 GMT -5
I put a quarterly reminder to start the generator and I add Sta Bil to the fuel at the gas pump. Might need to change the start up to every 2 months as Sunday it gave me a fit trying to start it. Got frustrated and put it back in the garage. Monday it started on first pull. I had pulled the plug Sunday and it did not have any gas odor or wetness and had it failed to start Monday I was going to start checking for a fuel blockage.
Like all carbureted motors stuff happens. Wish I could find an EFI small motor, but none seem to exist.
|
|
|
Post by chaseooo on Sept 5, 2020 21:53:20 GMT -5
Sorry for the late response. Was on vacation. I did get he generator at cost. Saved some money and ran the wiring from the transfer switch in the basement to the generator outside. Drilled the thru holes in the house for the wiring and set the pad. My generator is four years old so the pricing has most definitely gone up. Also make sure the company that install the unit will also do any warranty or repair work needed. There are a few electrical contractors in our area installing generators but are not able to do warranty or repair work. My brother gets calls every week from people needing warranty work, but he is tied up on his customers work and cant do there work.
|
|
|
Post by EasyPeasy on Oct 1, 2020 13:23:29 GMT -5
Our last really bad experience was Hurricane Sandy and we got a portable generator then. Last year I sprung for the plug on the outside of the house and the transfer switch inside. Very happy with that, and a *lot* safer than some of the hillbilly solutions (i.e. plugging a *hot* plug into a normal outlet). The small (5500KW) portable is enough to power the kitchen, appliances, lights and TV (if we don't lose Verizon too). I'm quite happy with it, and we've had some minor interruptions, but like finatic, if it happens in a heat wave, and we can't power up the Air Conditioner for days I'll be up a creek....
|
|