GE and Generac Generators

[st1976]

Hello all,

I'm looking for some feedback on small standby generators. My parents are remodeling their home and I'm pushing them to install a standby generator. I'm looking at a Air Cooled 10KW (all major appliances are LP Gas).

I have looked at Generac Air Cooled units and have also seen the GE Air cooled units. GE units come with a whole house 200A transfer switch with load shed in the same price range as the Generac with only an 8 circuit transfer switch.

Does anyone have experience with the GE units. I have seen mostly good feedback on Generac but can't find much on the GE units.

Any feedback is appreciated.

 

[LarryFine]

GE units come with a whole house 200A transfer switch with load shed in the same price range as the Generac with only an 8 circuit transfer switch.

It may come down to who will do the installation. The whole-house switch is the more complicated install between the two types, and likely more expensive for labor.

 

[quogueelectric]

I bought a generac 4500 about 25 yrs ago and I am a little disapointed as to the quality of the parts on the gen. I would probably go with the GE at this point i would need to look at it and know who built the engine.

 

[LarryFine]

. . . who built the engine.

That'd be funny if it was Generac.

 

[st1976]

It may come down to who will do the installation. The whole-house switch is the more complicated install between the two types, and likely more expensive for labor.

I'm doing the install. I have done a couple of big generators with the guys I work with. I would think the whole house switch is easier than separating circuits. Of course we are doing a whole service upgrade so everything will be new.

 

[st1976]

I bought a generac 4500 about 25 yrs ago and I am a little disapointed as to the quality of the parts on the gen. I would probably go with the GE at this point i would need to look at it and know who built the engine.

The GE units are powered by Briggs & Stratton Vanguard. I have never had an issue with BS Engines but don't have any experience with them as generator power units.

 

[active1]

10 KW may be small for the whole house even with an A/C load shed.
Don't know about these but many time the advertised KW is for propane and natural gas is about 1 KW less.

 

[brian john]

In my experience other than a Honda all small engines on these units seem to be basically the same.

 

[Mr. Wizard]

In my experience other than a Honda all small engines on these units seem to be basically the same.

I've never had a problem with a Honda small engine, other than the price. They work well and are very dependable. I am currently in the process of a Generac install. This will be my fourth one in three months. We have had some bad storms down here, and it seems folks are adding generators to their houses now more than ever.

 

[Bobhook149]

I like the Kohler

 

[brian john]

I've never had a problem with a Honda small engine, other than the price. They work well and are very dependable. I am currently in the process of a Generac install. This will be my fourth one in three months. We have had some bad storms down here, and it seems folks are adding generators to their houses now more than ever.

Honda's engines are GREAT, the price as you say a bit high.

 

[st1976]

10 KW may be small for the whole house even with an A/C load shed.
Don't know about these but many time the advertised KW is for propane and natural gas is about 1 KW less.

Yes, the 10KW is on propane (which we will be using) and 9KW for Natural Gas.

The only 240v load will be the well pump. Dryer, Cooktop, Range, Boiler and Water heater are all LP gas. There is no A/C and as long as my parents own the house there won't be.

I just did some testing (because I have no life). My house is fairly small by todays standards (about 1800 sq. ft). With the majority of 1st floor lights on, electric dryer running, dehumidifier running, 46" LCD TV, 26: LCD TV, Computer, Tivo, DVD player, Wii, Cable Box, a host of other computer stuff (router, switch, modem, etc) leg A was drawing 24A and leg B 36.5A. If I did this correctly I'm drawing 7260 watts. I think I would be hard pressed to get to 10KW.

Of course I understand it probably isn't the best idea to run a generator at full load all of the time but since my parents won't have the electric dryer which is drawing about 5KW in my test they will be well within the limits of a 10KW unit even with a slightly larger house.

Thanks for getting my wheels turning...

 

[st1976]

I like the Kohler

Me too... but I didn't like the price :roll:

 

[BAHTAH]

Home Generator

Home Generator

Hello all,

I'm looking for some feedback on small standby generators. My parents are remodeling their home and I'm pushing them to install a standby generator. I'm looking at a Air Cooled 10KW (all major appliances are LP Gas).

I have looked at Generac Air Cooled units and have also seen the GE Air cooled units. GE units come with a whole house 200A transfer switch with load shed in the same price range as the Generac with only an 8 circuit transfer switch.

Does anyone have experience with the GE units. I have seen mostly good feedback on Generac but can't find much on the GE units.

Any feedback is appreciated.

I have a Onan 12kw on my house and it has been a good unit for the past 5yrs. If I had it to do again I would go with a Kohler 12kw. The Kohler 12kw is able to start a 4-ton A/C unit while under load. I have installed several of these and had no problems. On a residential service be it 400amp or 200amp we usually install a 200amp ATS and and 200A emergency power panel. If we have two panels, one normal and other emergency (I do at my home) we run a conduit between them so circuits can be added or removed from the generator panel if needed. This has worked well so far. If you check out Kohlers web site you can get specs and drawings and they have a sizing program.

 

[scottam99]

I personally like the Cutler Hammer Gen sets. They have Briggs engines. Generac in my opinion is like buying a Yugo. Thet're great as long as you don't need them. Kohler, Onan are also excellent but you're paying premium prices for them.

 

[Pete Benoit]

I personally like the Cutler Hammer Gen sets. They have Briggs engines. Generac in my opinion is like buying a Yugo. Thet're great as long as you don't need them. Kohler, Onan are also excellent but you're paying premium prices for them.

your cutler hammer generators are now 100% generac and caterpillar is now using generac in their nat gas units to 150 kw