Standby Generators

[cman95]

Does anyone here have any experiance with Generac or Briggs&Sratton home standby generators? Just curious, thanks.

 

[pineywoods]

I know a few people that have them and it seems most don't keep up with the maintenance on them. My dad wanted one and after doing lots of research and figuring and pricing he decided that he really didn't want one. The model we were looking at was propane and the cost to operate it was high based on the consumption rates listed as well as having to get a large propane tank installed. His primary concern was hurricane season. He decided to get a gas powered smaller generator that would run his appliances and well and retreat to his RV with generator for air conditioning

 

[mballi3011]

We here on the east coast go thur hurricanes scares from time to time and people want them then. But I have some friends that have then and install them and haven't used them yet. They have had them for years. It's usually around the time when a good blow is coming thet everyone wants one. Like piney says it a mantaince thing with our humidy and all.

 

[cman95]

Well I am just kicking the idea around. As much as I am gone with my work it seemed like a good idea for the family. I have a portable that has been ok in the past, but refilling with fuel is a PITA for my wife. Thanks for the input guys.

 

[beer-b-q]

Generac and Briggs & Sratton are both good generators...

Gererac is probably the best of the two...

 

[rickw]

We lose power quite a bit here. The cost of the automatics are just out of the question for me. My neighbor has one and it works good for him. I have a portable that will run 11 hours or so on 1/2 load. That pretty good I think fo an inexpensive unit.

One thing I do want to do is get a transfer safety switch Seems like a safe way to run the portable.

 

[smokeguy]

I'm pretty sure that a lot of them do their own monthly maintenance now. They'll automatically crank up, run for awhile and then shut back down. Keeps everything fresh and ready to go. That's what I do manually with my gas generator and it runs great everytime I need to use it.

 

[hdsmoke]

My parents bought one a few years ago (Guardian by Generac) after we had a major ice storm in OH and many locally were without power for a couple weeks. I thought, that will never happen again, dont spend the money. Well, a year or 2 ago we had that nasty windstorm from the hurricane and my power was off for a week +, so i spent alot of time listening to my parents guardian! They have an older model and they are LOUD!!! but it kicks on automatically and runs and runs. During that long outtage i did go over and help dad change the oil and look over everything. but it kept up without a hiccup. Theres kicks on once a week and runs for 30 mins. I tell you what, its nice...but $$$. They are selling some remfg ones around here now that are priced better, but i guess the new guardians are a lot quieter. I asked dad about the nat gas it burns he says he doesnt care, its better than not having hot water! As long as i can make it to there house to shower im not getting one...i have a portable gen i can recharge my freezer every 24, and im fine with that.

 

[rod guy]

When we lived in Springfield, we had 11 days one year and 14 the next year. I bought a portable big enough to run my whole house and still use it. I had a guy install a hook up in the fuse pannel and a switch and just start it up and flip the switch. This way I can also use it out away from the house if I want. It runs about 14 hours on a full tank of gas.

 

[carpetride]

I have two:

20KW natural gas fired that is stamped a Siemens but on the inside it says Generac...kinda like a Chevy and a GMC. They literally come off the same line with the same specs and the owners manual is Generac. It kicks on when it needs to and shuts itself off and the switch handles the transfer. So far I am happy with it. It came with a trickle charger that tends to the battery and I have it set to start at 9 am on the 7th of each month. The 20K and below in the Guardian line come equipped to handle either LP or Natural gas you just literally flip a switch. We also purchased a 35KW for my dad's place and a 60KW for our office building (Siemens as well). I can elaborate on those as well if you have questions. They are natural gas fired as well.

The other is an off name 6500 portable gasoline model with a Honda engine. This kept our house warm and allowed us to run a few items during the ice storm this past January. What I didn't like about it was the constant filling of gasoline. It has a 6.5 gallon tank that would run us 11 hours under load or a lot less under heavy load. Bought it new and immediately ran it 24 hours a day for 14 days, stopped it only to fill with gas and change the oil...which must done almost daily or at least every other day. I was fortunate not have any problems. People get sloppy during refueling and have a fire or heaven forbid they put it in garage i.e. they are now dead! I was very cautious but after 14 days and tending to three of them in bitter temperatures you get lazy and take chances. When we installed the 20KW this spring I made my electrician install an extra plug so that I could still use the portable if I ever need to...figure they will shut the natural gas off during an earthquake.

I put a little time into researching them earlier this year so if I can help just let me know.

 

[cman95]

Thanks for all the info. Just want to make the right decision the first time.