15 year old Generac not running...replace?

[sandyut]

This peaked more interest than I expected... I do have an update.

The gas line is done, new 14kw Generac is in place, gas hooked up, wiring from generator to below the deck is in. Last step is to wire the switch next Wed. Looks like we can get the water heater and a couple baseboard thermostats on it. But just two. they are electricity hogs. We have 2 gas fireplaces so we wont get cold if there is a winter outage.

The old 7kw was wired by a crack head, looks like only about 4 or 5 15 amp breakers were on it...And how they did it seemed to baffle both electricians that were out so far. So thats all useless and being scrapped.

I got the plug in our storage room to be put on the new Gennie, so I am moving the garage fridge to that room on the lower level today. Garage is not attached and running out to get meat and beer when its hovering around 0-20 and trying not to touch the dirty cars blows.

So far every step took far longer and was a bigger PITA than anticipated (by the installers). I have been here long enough to expect nothing to the easy or fast.

Stay tuned for one last update (better be) after all is done.

 

[Fueling Around]

Friends of mine bought a place in SW WA and after their first power outage have been cleaning up the backup coverage and other home wiring issues discovered.

...
Looks like we can get the water heater and a couple baseboard thermostats on it. But just two. they are electricity hogs. We have 2 gas fireplaces so we wont get cold if there is a winter outage.
...

If you want to make big brownie points, get a bathroom baseboard in the backup coverage plan.
Back north we keep the house pretty cool in the spring and fall. Main bathroom is kept much warmer and the door closed so the toilet seat stays nice and toasty. That's the ONLY feature I like about electric baseboard heat, zone control.

 

[JckDanls 07]

get a bathroom baseboard in the backup coverage plan.

Definatly a must... I hate getting out of the shower just for everything wet to start freezing...

 

[Faster]

I havent. The oil comes out very dark when I change it. If there are no outages it will about 12 hours a year doing self tests. Last year it rand for 2.5 days straight plus weekly for about 8 hours, then randomly here and here for an hour or two. Before I bought the house 3 years ago is a black hole.

Before our first winter I changed the oil and it was black as tar. My guess was many years without being changed.

A very good trick for any engine that is lubricated with oil.
Before oil change, pour in the motor a quart of DIESEL, start the engine and run for 5 minutes on idle until warmed up.

I've done it on every car I owned, now 2009 Hyundai I-20 gasoline and oil comes out barely dirty and it doesn't consume a drop of oil.
Can you use synthetic oil?

Another thing I find weird is having a generator hooked to a "system" You don't control...

Sorry, too late information

 

[sandyut]

Another thing I find weird is having a generator hooked to a "system" You don't control...

I have no idea what you are saying here. Its on an automatic switch, so power goes out, generator comes on. No one wants to manually control this, that would defeat the concept.

 

[sandyut]

New 14kw gen is fully installed! Took a bit, weather didnt help. But we test fired it yesterday just in time for a windstorm day and mass outages. These new ones are pretty dang nice! I love the MobileLink app. I can see its status and hours run etc. So can the installers, so if anything goes wrong they know ASAP. The old dead one was a guessing game...if we were gone when it did the weekly exercise, you never knew if it was ready and working without removing the top and looking at light status.

Power is out all around us, but we are ironically still up. Xcel is intentionally killing power for some while others are getting knocked out my trees and what not.

 

[radioguy]

Sandy great call on getting a new properly installed genset. Give you a good peace of mind.

I was planing my winter trip and will be going through your neck of the woods. I did read this as I was looking at campsites.

Stay warm!
RG

December 17, 2025, Xcel Energy implemented planned Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) in parts of Colorado due to extreme high winds (gusts up to 90-100 mph), dry conditions, and elevated wildfire risk. These are preemptive shutoffs to prevent power lines from sparking fires, similar to measures used in other fire-prone areas—not traditional "rolling blackouts" for energy shortages.

 

[sandyut]

Sandy great call on getting a new properly installed genset. Give you a good peace of mind.

I was planing my winter trip and will be going through your neck of the woods. I did read this as I was looking at campsites.

Stay warm!
RG

December 17, 2025, Xcel Energy implemented planned Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) in parts of Colorado due to extreme high winds (gusts up to 90-100 mph), dry conditions, and elevated wildfire risk. These are preemptive shutoffs to prevent power lines from sparking fires, similar to measures used in other fire-prone areas—not traditional "rolling blackouts" for energy shortages.

Its screaming windy! powers out, just got a voice mail it may be 3 days before its back up.

So glad our Gen is keeping us lit up and all. I dont see how folks live up here without them. We priced out replacing everything in the refers once. Its no joke! thats a ton of loss.

Tested our space heater and mini oven, all are on the gen and ready for action. SO HAPPY! the neighbors are all dark.

 

[JckDanls 07]

And they all envy you... Congrats...

 

[MileHighSmokerGirl]

Ok Since I dont agree with the service guys assessment. I think Im gonna have the other local company out for an assessment of the situation before dropping mass money on a new one. I dont think its a gas supply problem. the gas guy put a new regulator on the house and checked everything. just to prove there was not a supply problem. But the service guy is stuck on saying it is a supply problem. Which is odd because they were both here at the same time and all three of us saw everything.

If company #2 fixes it, then company #1 is gonna be hearing from one pissed off customer.

If you replace it, go with a Kohler. Their support and service is eons above Generacs.

Better quality generator, better techs, better design, better service, better results.

 

[Brokenhandle]

Great timing! Can see the grin on your face from here!

Ryan