Ask the dealer about the size of the propane tank.
I have a whole house generator that is natural gas fueled.
I have a whole house generator that is natural gas fueled.
Generac standby generator?
Interested in getting a standby generator.
I have a quote for a 11kw Generac with a 100amp transfer switch (air cooled).
Anyone have one and have comments/concerns?
Another model I should consider?
Is liquid cooled worth investigating?
How big of a propane tank should I get?
Thanks!
I have a quote for a 11kw Generac with a 100amp transfer switch (air cooled).
Anyone have one and have comments/concerns?
Another model I should consider?
Is liquid cooled worth investigating?
How big of a propane tank should I get?
Thanks!
1 - 20 of 77 Posts
I have a 13kw Generac Whole Home. If you run it 24/7, it will consume 2 gallons an hour so my 500 gallon (which they will only fill to 400 gallons because of some 80% capacity rule) propane tank would run out in 8 days. Again, if I ran it 24 hours a day.
Mark
Mark
Our 11kW Generac is fourth in our list of alternatives. Our line of succession looks like
1. Utility company power
2. 6000 watts (nominal) solar panels. If they come up short, they can share with
3. A battery bank of 10 kW stored electricity
4. 11 kW Generac generator on propane, 500 gallon tank.
5. Troy Bilt gasoline 7,000 watt generator with shore line to go from generator to outside wall plug.
I'll talk about the Generac only since that is what you asked about. 11kW will run quite a bit. Our house is natural gas for furnace and hot water heater, so that takes some watt-intensive items off the consumption list. It will barely start but then adequately run a 3 ton air conditioner. It will start and run a 1.5 ton air conditioner nicely and leave about 6,000 watts for other things. I used a Kill-A-Watt to measure the actual wattage of a number of household appliances, typing it all down on a "shopping list" for use during those times when we are on Generac. Running on alternative is an ongoing math problem. Make the numbers work and you can enjoy electricity when otherwise you would have none.
We can overpower the Generac if we start doing ridiculous things. The electric dryer is out. Watch what you're doing with the electric range, since the smallest burn ties up 1,600 watts. Coffee makers and toasters run a thousand or more watts but look to the naked eye like they shouldn't use anything.
The easiest thing to mess up on with a Generac 11,000 watt generator is the dipstick. The oil stays pretty clean since we're burning propane, and the dipstick is a bright shiny color. Net result is that it is easy at oil change time to overfill the engine. After overdoing it on the first oil change, I dedicated a 5-quart oil bottle for Generac oil changes only and made a mark at 1.5 quarts. That way I won't overfill it.
1. Utility company power
2. 6000 watts (nominal) solar panels. If they come up short, they can share with
3. A battery bank of 10 kW stored electricity
4. 11 kW Generac generator on propane, 500 gallon tank.
5. Troy Bilt gasoline 7,000 watt generator with shore line to go from generator to outside wall plug.
I'll talk about the Generac only since that is what you asked about. 11kW will run quite a bit. Our house is natural gas for furnace and hot water heater, so that takes some watt-intensive items off the consumption list. It will barely start but then adequately run a 3 ton air conditioner. It will start and run a 1.5 ton air conditioner nicely and leave about 6,000 watts for other things. I used a Kill-A-Watt to measure the actual wattage of a number of household appliances, typing it all down on a "shopping list" for use during those times when we are on Generac. Running on alternative is an ongoing math problem. Make the numbers work and you can enjoy electricity when otherwise you would have none.
We can overpower the Generac if we start doing ridiculous things. The electric dryer is out. Watch what you're doing with the electric range, since the smallest burn ties up 1,600 watts. Coffee makers and toasters run a thousand or more watts but look to the naked eye like they shouldn't use anything.
The easiest thing to mess up on with a Generac 11,000 watt generator is the dipstick. The oil stays pretty clean since we're burning propane, and the dipstick is a bright shiny color. Net result is that it is easy at oil change time to overfill the engine. After overdoing it on the first oil change, I dedicated a 5-quart oil bottle for Generac oil changes only and made a mark at 1.5 quarts. That way I won't overfill it.
Talked to a guy who runs a generator service business. He recommended Kohler. Says he has less repair calls on them than any other brand. He doesn’t sell them p, just does service and repair.
Liquid cooled will last longer. They are basically car engines. I think the smallest generac generator is like 24k. I can’t remember exactly. I have a 22k ng and it works so good I haven’t had to use it in 3 years!
Propane tank size, I would get at least 1,000 gallon tank buried. Two would be better but one is good.
Propane tank size, I would get at least 1,000 gallon tank buried. Two would be better but one is good.
I had a Generac 20KW air cooled installed about 3-years ago, with a 500 gallon LP tank. I considered the liquid cooled 24KW model, but the jump in cost was too significant. If I used it more frequently then liquid cooled may be appropriate. However, for the handful of times we lose commercial power every year, and typically only for a few hours, the air cooled is sufficient. The longest I've had to run the generator is for 1-full day. Keep the oil changed, ensure the air filter is clean and you should be fine with air cooled. The generator also auto starts each week for 12 minutes to ensure everything is lubed and the battery is good. I've got no complaints whatsoever.
The Generac standby's are very popular in my neighborhood. I do not have one but several of my neighbors do. They are all air cooled models and I believe they are all 11kw units. Each neighbor is happy with their system.
Most were installed after the 2011 October storm when we lost power for 8 days here.
Most were installed after the 2011 October storm when we lost power for 8 days here.
I have had two. Currently have a 22kw unit. It has a dedicated propane tank. Never have had a problem with it. It kicks on and life goes on. Long term not a solution. But I could go for about a month turning it off and on manually and keep refrigerator and freezer cold.
Next step is a 200 watt solar panel, sine wave inverter, and battery bank to keep lights and entertainment going.
Next step is a 200 watt solar panel, sine wave inverter, and battery bank to keep lights and entertainment going.
I have a 20kw Generac. 1 gal of propane per hour if you're powering everything in the house and using it like it was a nuclear reactor. Probably a bit less if you turned off the AC.
Good unit - we like it a lot. It ran 4 days non-stop with Mathew and a couple of hours this summer from Irma. It has actually had more use due to the power company doing maintenance out here in the country.
WW
shoot straight - stay safe
Good unit - we like it a lot. It ran 4 days non-stop with Mathew and a couple of hours this summer from Irma. It has actually had more use due to the power company doing maintenance out here in the country.
WW
shoot straight - stay safe
Something I forgot to add..........get the Cold Weather Kit if you are living in an area where you expect below 32 degree temps on a regular basis. Mine had trouble starting in temps below 30 degrees until I added the Cold Weather Kit which is basically a heating pad for the battery and oil filter. No problems starting now even way below zero with that Kit installed.
Mark
Mark
I don't own a standby generator, and apart from certain circumstances, I don't recommend them for the following reasons.
1. They are expensive. For the cost of buying a new one, getting it installed, and getting a huge propane tank, you'll probably be out many thousands of dollars. By comparison, you can get a portable generator capable of running everything in your house (not simultaneously), get a manual transfer switch installed, and store a large quantity of fuel for $2k or less.
2. They are fuel hogs. As noted above, it's not unusual for these units to consume 1-2 gallons of fuel per hour. At that rate, you will quickly exhaust even a large supply of stored fuel. Granted, if you only run it for a portion of the day, you can reduce your fuel consumption, but why do you want to manually turn on and off a standby generator? It's a bit like getting a turbo charged speedster and then putting a governor on it that limits its speed to 30 mph.
3. Most of them are LOUD. Very loud.
4. They are not nearly as automatic as many purport them to be. If they are operated 24 hours a day, the oil must be changed in most of them every 100 hours or 4 days.
The only time I see standby generators as being appropriate are for (1) those incapable of or unwilling to start a standard generator, flip the transfer switch, and plug in the generator (very easy) and (2) locations where you truly need 24/7 power and may not be there to run a standard generator in the event of a power outage.
1. They are expensive. For the cost of buying a new one, getting it installed, and getting a huge propane tank, you'll probably be out many thousands of dollars. By comparison, you can get a portable generator capable of running everything in your house (not simultaneously), get a manual transfer switch installed, and store a large quantity of fuel for $2k or less.
2. They are fuel hogs. As noted above, it's not unusual for these units to consume 1-2 gallons of fuel per hour. At that rate, you will quickly exhaust even a large supply of stored fuel. Granted, if you only run it for a portion of the day, you can reduce your fuel consumption, but why do you want to manually turn on and off a standby generator? It's a bit like getting a turbo charged speedster and then putting a governor on it that limits its speed to 30 mph.
3. Most of them are LOUD. Very loud.
4. They are not nearly as automatic as many purport them to be. If they are operated 24 hours a day, the oil must be changed in most of them every 100 hours or 4 days.
The only time I see standby generators as being appropriate are for (1) those incapable of or unwilling to start a standard generator, flip the transfer switch, and plug in the generator (very easy) and (2) locations where you truly need 24/7 power and may not be there to run a standard generator in the event of a power outage.
2) if you aren’t home your power comes on by itself to keep your food good, alarms on. When you get home you can turn on and off if you want. It’s just one button to start, no pulling to start.I don't own a standby generator, and apart from certain circumstances, I don't recommend them for the following reasons.
1. They are expensive. For the cost of buying a new one, getting it installed, and getting a huge propane tank, you'll probably be out many thousands of dollars. By comparison, you can get a portable generator capable of running everything in your house (not simultaneously), get a manual transfer switch installed, and store a large quantity of fuel for $2k or less.
2. They are fuel hogs. As noted above, it's not unusual for these units to consume 1-2 gallons of fuel per hour. At that rate, you will quickly exhaust even a large supply of stored fuel. Granted, if you only run it for a portion of the day, you can reduce your fuel consumption, but why do you want to manually turn on and off a standby generator? It's a bit like getting a turbo charged speedster and then putting a governor on it that limits its speed to 30 mph.
3. Most of them are LOUD. Very loud.
4. They are not nearly as automatic as many purport them to be. If they are operated 24 hours a day, the oil must be changed in most of them every 100 hours or 4 days.
5. They are stationary. You aren't moving them anywhere. In the event you have to leave your location, you aren't taking your standby generator with you. Note that an exception to this includes portable generators that can be set up to work as automatic standby generators as well.
6. Their lifespan is limited. Generac says that their generators are rated for 2,000 hours of use. On a 24/7 basis, that's only 83 days of use before your generator is pretty much worn out (according to the company who sells them at least). By comparison, a high quality portable generator can be run up to 12,000 hours (many reports of Honda generators achieving this).
The only time I see standby generators as being appropriate are for (1) those incapable of or unwilling to start a standard generator, flip the transfer switch, and plug in the generator (very easy) and (2) locations where you truly need 24/7 power and may not be there to run a standard generator in the event of a power outage.
3) mine can run outside and I won’t even know it’s running. A secondary housing could be put over it if needed or for long time.
4) how is maintenance an issue. You would need the same maintenance in any generator.
6) just because you have heard a portable generator can last for as long as you have heard doesn’t mean they all can. In fact natural gas and propane burn cleaner than gasoline or diesel. Generac gives you a warranty for 2,000 hours. Do the portable ones do that?
Would both be a good idea? Of course!
Is there a lifespan difference?Is liquid cooled worth investigating?
How many days do you expect to run it between re-fills?... How big of a propane tank should I get?
Most of our neighbors all have generators. Some are loud, some are not. Consider that liquid cooled units can be put inside a sound baffling enclosure, to make them quite.
Standby Generators
Have had two standby generators. 10Kw gasoline, which I still have and use on rental house, and 40Kw Kubota diesel. Live out in country, need electricity for water, hot water, some cooking lights. Would probably cook with propane campstove if prolonged outage. There are advantages and disadvantages to all systems. Propane is great if small need and already have propane, same with natural gas. Gasoline ok if willing to store and cycle. The best and most reliable is diesel but most expensive. Need diesel for tractors so can cycle. Would start thinking with fuel most available and reliable. Then how much electricity to do you need and how often. If away a lot automatic transfer. Have used a manual for years and is cheap and highly reliable. Usually someone is around when power goes out. Most people can start an electric start generator and throw one switch after the generator is running. Have to be religious about exercising which is slight hassle with manual. If just want backup for three days and not a mechanical family, go automatic with 11kw aircooled and fuel with propane or natural gas. Briggs-Honeywell actually has best repair record I think.
Have had two standby generators. 10Kw gasoline, which I still have and use on rental house, and 40Kw Kubota diesel. Live out in country, need electricity for water, hot water, some cooking lights. Would probably cook with propane campstove if prolonged outage. There are advantages and disadvantages to all systems. Propane is great if small need and already have propane, same with natural gas. Gasoline ok if willing to store and cycle. The best and most reliable is diesel but most expensive. Need diesel for tractors so can cycle. Would start thinking with fuel most available and reliable. Then how much electricity to do you need and how often. If away a lot automatic transfer. Have used a manual for years and is cheap and highly reliable. Usually someone is around when power goes out. Most people can start an electric start generator and throw one switch after the generator is running. Have to be religious about exercising which is slight hassle with manual. If just want backup for three days and not a mechanical family, go automatic with 11kw aircooled and fuel with propane or natural gas. Briggs-Honeywell actually has best repair record I think.
First job, Do an audit of your power consumption. I switched out all mains lighting for 12volt l.e.d (not the ones with each having a transformer) fed by 1 truck battery, charged by a mains "smart charger". The hot water system is a heat-pump type unit, The electric cooker I swapped out for a propane one. The fridge I will be changing over to 12 volt soon. I am building a heat reclaimer on my shower waste water to pre-heat my hot water inlet. I have fitted many 12 v cig. lighter type plugs around my home, to run p.cs, phones, cell chargers and the like when we get power outages. I'm aiming for a 75% cut in my power bill. Regarding generators, air cooled ones are noisier and hotter and cannot be boxed in to quieten them as they need airflow to cool, running on propane adds to the heat of the engine inlet valve as it does not cool the same as a liquid fuel, so my best would be a water cooled unit, boxed in with a remote radiator with small fish tank type heater for cold weather. ...........cheers Rick
Our power goes out at least once a month for several hours on blue-sky days - we are in the boonies of middle-TN. We needed something that would start automatically (since we're often away from home).
After countless hours of research, we settled on a diesel generator. Upfront, it's about twice as expensive as an LP/NG unit, but it offers the following benefits:
1) Lower fuel consumption (.3 gal/hr)
2) Lower RPM (1800 vs. 3600)
3) Longer maintencance cycles (500 hr for first, 2000 subsequent)
4) Practically unlimited lifespan (tough to kill a properly maintained diesel)
5) Easy/safer fuel storage (than gasoline)
6) Quieter operation (ours runs at 60dB in its sound-proof enclosure)
I had a diesel unit installed in my FL home in 2004 (after Francis, Ivan, Charley, and Jeanne that year). I had about 50 gallons (of a 100 gallon tank) of original diesel still in the tank when I sold the unit this year. It still ran like a top. 13 year old fuel. I originally added stabilizer and biocide - but then it was entirely hands off.
My TN unit is a 14kW prime-power rated Yanmar unit. It cost $10k for the unit, $1100 for the auto-transfer switch (which is in-line between the meter and the breaker panel), and $1800 for labor to install everything.
I also have several 55 gallon steel drums with properly treated diesel. Since I use a fair amount of diesel with my tractor and diesel heaters, I can rotate the supply to keep it 'fresh'.
Pricey? Sure. But with my current setup, I can run 24/7 for nearly a month at 50% load. Of course, to conserve, running only a couple hours per day (to maintain cold food) fuel supply would last considerably longer.
14kW will run everything in the (1 yo) house. Stove is LP, but WH and dryer are electric. Well is 240. Max load (as reported by my home automation system) has never exceeded 12kW.
While we do have air, they are mini-split - with each area having its own dedicated system (total of four, each pulling about 1500W). They are variable drive, so there is no inrush current as typically seen on a central system.
After countless hours of research, we settled on a diesel generator. Upfront, it's about twice as expensive as an LP/NG unit, but it offers the following benefits:
1) Lower fuel consumption (.3 gal/hr)
2) Lower RPM (1800 vs. 3600)
3) Longer maintencance cycles (500 hr for first, 2000 subsequent)
4) Practically unlimited lifespan (tough to kill a properly maintained diesel)
5) Easy/safer fuel storage (than gasoline)
6) Quieter operation (ours runs at 60dB in its sound-proof enclosure)
I had a diesel unit installed in my FL home in 2004 (after Francis, Ivan, Charley, and Jeanne that year). I had about 50 gallons (of a 100 gallon tank) of original diesel still in the tank when I sold the unit this year. It still ran like a top. 13 year old fuel. I originally added stabilizer and biocide - but then it was entirely hands off.
My TN unit is a 14kW prime-power rated Yanmar unit. It cost $10k for the unit, $1100 for the auto-transfer switch (which is in-line between the meter and the breaker panel), and $1800 for labor to install everything.
I also have several 55 gallon steel drums with properly treated diesel. Since I use a fair amount of diesel with my tractor and diesel heaters, I can rotate the supply to keep it 'fresh'.
Pricey? Sure. But with my current setup, I can run 24/7 for nearly a month at 50% load. Of course, to conserve, running only a couple hours per day (to maintain cold food) fuel supply would last considerably longer.
14kW will run everything in the (1 yo) house. Stove is LP, but WH and dryer are electric. Well is 240. Max load (as reported by my home automation system) has never exceeded 12kW.
While we do have air, they are mini-split - with each area having its own dedicated system (total of four, each pulling about 1500W). They are variable drive, so there is no inrush current as typically seen on a central system.
I have a 22KW Eaton (same company as Generac) and a 325 gal propane tank dedicated to it. It was installed two years ago. My neighbors really appreciate the fact that I had it installed because the couple of times a month power outages ended as soon as mine went online. Apparently the $7200 I spent on it was effective in ending power outages.
It starts at 1pm on the first day of every month and runs a diagnostic check. We also have a backup 3KW propane powered (bbq tanks) portable and a 4KW gas generator. I will probably changed that one over to propane also.
We have started looking at solar now and may end up adding that also.
It starts at 1pm on the first day of every month and runs a diagnostic check. We also have a backup 3KW propane powered (bbq tanks) portable and a 4KW gas generator. I will probably changed that one over to propane also.
We have started looking at solar now and may end up adding that also.
That's a valid point, but a generator that costs $5,000, for instance, is some darned expensive insurance for your food. On top of that, many standby generators are oversold by the companies selling them. They tell you need a 20kW generator when a 10kW would be more than sufficient. Just don't run your electric stove and your electric dryer and your electric furnace simultaneously. In addition to paying too much for an oversized generator, they consume far more fuel than necessary when they're running. No matter how you cut it, a 20kW generator for the typical homeowner is overkill and not in a good way.2) if you aren’t home your power comes on by itself to keep your food good, alarms on. When you get home you can turn on and off if you want. It’s just one button to start, no pulling to start.
Good for you. Many standby generators are not so quiet.3) mine can run outside and I won’t even know it’s running. A secondary housing could be put over it if needed or for long time.
Of course you have maintenance with any generator. That's my point! Standby generators still require maintenance, and I know many people who are incapable of changing the oil on one. So after 4 days of continuous operation, such people are left with either no power or else running the significant risk of damaging their very expensive generator.4) how is maintenance an issue. You would need the same maintenance in any generator.
An engine that burns cleanly will still wear out. The engines put into many of these standby generators are of MUCH lower quality than those used by Honda and Yamaha. That's not just something I've heard; it's a fact. Ask a small engine mechanic about the quality of a Honda engine compared to a Kohler (a common brand used in standby generators).6) just because you have heard a portable generator can last for as long as you have heard doesn’t mean they all can. In fact natural gas and propane burn cleaner than gasoline or diesel. Generac gives you a warranty for 2,000 hours. Do the portable ones do that?
I have to agree with the poster above. A standby is kind of a waste.
High fuel consumption.... huge tanks needed.
I don’t see this as being practical
Thousands of dollars to protect 50 bucks worth of food in your fridge. Lol.
If the power goes off.... and no one is home....the food in the fridge will be okay all day....since ...you know......no one is home to open the door on the fridge.
Stand by generators require frequent maintenance while being used.
And guess what...when the big fuel tank is empty.....generator is worthless
Invest in solar....and battery banks
High fuel consumption.... huge tanks needed.
I don’t see this as being practical
Thousands of dollars to protect 50 bucks worth of food in your fridge. Lol.
If the power goes off.... and no one is home....the food in the fridge will be okay all day....since ...you know......no one is home to open the door on the fridge.
Stand by generators require frequent maintenance while being used.
And guess what...when the big fuel tank is empty.....generator is worthless
Invest in solar....and battery banks
1 - 20 of 77 Posts
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