Standby generator/trnsfer sw; Kohler or Generac ?

[howardrichman]

I'm wiring a large horsebarn and arena and a standby generator is required. The property has 32 horsewaterers@3.35 amps each; and general lighting and misc. needed to be operatable. I'll be installing a 300 amp service w/2 150 panels. The horse waterers and some general lighting is most critical. i'm considering using one panel for use w/ a transfer switch for the given loads for emergency power. Do i need a main either in, before, or after the transfer switch before the panel ? Also; I'm still researching generac and Kohler differences and reliability. Any experience with either and which would you go with and why?

Thank You; HR...

 

[laketime]

I have installed the Generacs...but a friend of mine who does generator service and is a huge engine nut says the Kohler product is better.

 

[kwired]

I'm wiring a large horsebarn and arena and a standby generator is required. The property has 32 horsewaterers@3.35 amps each; and general lighting and misc. needed to be operatable. I'll be installing a 300 amp service w/2 150 panels. The horse waterers and some general lighting is most critical. i'm considering using one panel for use w/ a transfer switch for the given loads for emergency power. Do i need a main either in, before, or after the transfer switch before the panel ? Also; I'm still researching generac and Kohler differences and reliability. Any experience with either and which would you go with and why?

Thank You; HR...

I don't know what to tell you as far as which generator or transfer switch is more reliable.

I assume the waterers you mention need power for de-icing. I don't know how critical that is to have those on an automatic transfer system but if owner is willing to pay for that then I would be up for it.

Depending on where you are located and how cold it can get would make some difference, you can always let water trickle to prevent freezing but it will start building up ice on the ground. If there is a power loss you do not have to power those heaters up immediately just soon enough to prevent damage from freezing, horses do not need constant supply of water as they just like us can go without for a little while with no problems. Depending on how confined the place is (usually more of a problem with swine or poultry) the most important thing is usually ventilation.

 

[hillbilly1]

ASCO makes a good chunk of the ATS's on the market, the generator manufactures just stick their name on them, same way with a lot of contactors. GE, Siemens and Square D buy certain models and stick their name on them.

 

[StreamlineGT]

There needs to be a breaker before the transfer switch. I you are transferring the entire 300 amps, a breaker has to be before, or in the transfer switch. If you are going to transfer a secondary panel, a breaker in the main panel, but don't believe anything is required in the secondary panel.

 

[kwired]

There needs to be a breaker before the transfer switch. I you are transferring the entire 300 amps, a breaker has to be before, or in the transfer switch. If you are going to transfer a secondary panel, a breaker in the main panel, but don't believe anything is required in the secondary panel.

OP wants to transfer one of two 150 amp service panels. So he needs either a 150 amp service switch or breaker - transfer switch - panel (not required to have a main breaker as the supply side fuses or breaker, if 150 amp, is protecting it), or a 150 amp service rated transfer switch - and panel (again does not require a main breaker panel as long as the overcurrent protection in the transfer switch is 150 amps.

Keep in mind the generator supplying an automatic transfer switch must be large enough to supply the calculated load that will be transferred unless some kind of load shedding devices are installed to limit the load to what the generator can handle. A manual transfer switch does not require generator to be sized to the load - basically user can select what load is connected by turning loads on or off.

 

[tyha]

OP wants to transfer one of two 150 amp service panels. So he needs either a 150 amp service switch or breaker - transfer switch - panel (not required to have a main breaker as the supply side fuses or breaker, if 150 amp, is protecting it), or a 150 amp service rated transfer switch - and panel (again does not require a main breaker panel as long as the overcurrent protection in the transfer switch is 150 amps.

Keep in mind the generator supplying an automatic transfer switch must be large enough to supply the calculated load that will be transferred unless some kind of load shedding devices are installed to limit the load to what the generator can handle. A manual transfer switch does not require generator to be sized to the load - basically user can select what load is connected by turning loads on or off.

Correct!!! and go with Kohler. weve installed more than our share from commercial buildings to cell sites and Kohler is only second i think to Cat but you dont want to spend that money. I dont even know if Cat makes one that small.