Generator Recommendations

We're putting in a generator that will be connected to the panel box. I haven't gotten down to looking at exactly what I need but It will need to power the well pump, furnace, refrigerator, maybe one or two TV's, one computer, a few lights and a few smaller devices like routers/modems.

Probably go diesel. What I'm looking for is recommendations on brand and where to get it.

Don't buy Chinese.

16,000 kw genrad gaurden 1800.00 delivered set up for natural gas fortlauderdale fl (used for one storm needed bigger unit)
he has automatic transfer switches discounted when buying a generator

The tool guys carl rudd 9545798058 He has several generators diesel,Gas,propane,ng some have ATS on board.
He sell on ebay I talked with him this week FT Lauderdale Florida.
He only sell the better imported generators because he dosent want to deal with repairs.
Good guy BDD

Some of the forum members who are always bragging about spending money and getting the latest of this and that should donate one !
and in that case, I wouldn't care what brand it is.

Better yet, have some of the wizzards here build you a coal powered generator !

I just went through the process of selecting and installing a standby generator.
On Yanche's advice and because we already have propane to the house, I use propane to power it.
I selected the Generac Guardian 10kW standby generator. It came with a 12 circuit automatic transfer switch that includes 2 240V circuits. We have a well also.
Here's where I bought it:
http://www.electricgeneratorsdirect.com ... stems.html
I did my own installation; ran the fuel line and did the wiring. I'm sure you can too.
Good luck with your project.
Here's what I ended up with:

Unless you have natural gas, propane is the way to go. Can't safely keep enough gasoline around it goes bad so fast now anyway. Diesel gens are great but diesel fuel also needs care for long term storage.

CoaLen wrote:I use propane to power it.
:

How much propane do you need? I might consider this if I can reasonable amount of time out one or two small tanks that I can fill myself.

10kw is all you need, but I would go with a 15kw Perkins diesel, find them on ebay or Maine Diesel, or Hardy diesel, they make a 10 kw also, if you want it to last get a 1800 RPM diesel...

As always, your mileage may vary, but they predict LP consumption at 50% Load to be 1.25 gallons/hr.
-Len

CoaLen wrote:As always, your mileage may vary, but they predict LP consumption at 50% Load to be 1.25 gallons/hr.
-Len

Yes I was just reading the specs. 1 20lb tank should be enough for most cases. Power usually only goes out for half a day when it does. The exception was after the hurricane when we lost power for about 4 days. I'm still leaning towards diesel. Not really interested in having a huge tank around especially if I have to deal with having someone come here to fill it.

Richard S. wrote:We're putting in a generator that will be connected to the panel box. I haven't gotten down to looking at exactly what I need but It will need to power the well pump, furnace, refrigerator, maybe one or two TV's, one computer, a few lights and a few smaller devices like routers/modems.

Probably go diesel. What I'm looking for is recommendations on brand and where to get it.

Watch out on hooking up flat screen TV's to a generator. They don't like dirty power that a generator typically puts out and can reduce the life of the TV. Consider an additional power regulator if you are hooking up sensitive electronic devices to the generator

Unless you use diesel for something else like a tractor, I would consider a tri-fuel generator that can burn propane, natural gas or gasoline.

Keep in mind if you go Nat gas you'll get like 10% less kw than LP.
LP in a good tank will not go bad. On the other hand diesel will run harder longer. At 30kw you can go liquid cooled, the kohler command pro engines are used on scags, a 20kw kholer is 4900$ with auto transfer switch, air cooled, this will do most 200 amp services, 5 year warranty. Onan makes some good high end for bigger jobs.
Intelock kits are around 175$, you can do manual transferring.

grumpy wrote:10kw is all you need, but I would go with a 15kw Perkins diesel, find them on ebay or Maine Diesel, or Hardy diesel, they make a 10 kw also, if you want it to last get a 1800 RPM diesel...

I was looking at those a few months ago. If I had the bucs, there would be one sitting in my yard right now.
As it stands, I had to keep our 8000w Honda. Because it uses gas and runs at 3600rpm, its loud. So I ran 6/3 copper from the Main Dist Panel to the barn, and put a L14-30 socket for it, in the barn. Its connected to a CB in the Main Distribution Panel, and a Interlock allows it to be turned on, only if the Main 200amp CB is turned off.
It runs everything in our house, as long as I am 'power conscious'. IE.... the electric hot water heater cannot be on at the same time the stove/oven is on. THose are about the only two CBs I need to be worried about. All other CBs remain on. Except the dryer. Never had to turn on the dryer during a power outage.

But if I had the money, I'd get one of those 15kw perkins in a heartbeat.

The kohlers boast features than produce clean power.