Portable generator advice
I am looking to purchase a portable generator to power some of my home during a power outage. While I don’t lose power very often, storms are getting more unpredictable and I would rather be prepared....
Forum Discussion
LittleBill wrote:SidecarFlip wrote:
I have a Generac (Honeywell) 17KW NG fired standby unit for the house (15 years old) and a diesel powered (John Deere) 25 KW standby for the farm.
I would never invest in a portable genny as backup power. Standby units are much more reliable, easier to maintain and cheaper.
how in the world do you figure cheaper? i have seen quotes of 10k for a standby install.
i would also put up a honda against any consumer grade generac generator made period.
i have read multiple reports of generacs failing under 1k hours in standby use
each person needs to determine their needs, 1 solution doesn't fit all people
10 grand seems pretty steep but then I've had both of mine for quite a while. Standby units are basically plug and play. The transfer switches are pre wired, All you need an electrician for is the break out for the utility power.
I set both my diesel and my NG fired inits myself. Both came as pre packaged units. Think my 17 KW Generac was around 5 and the diesel unit was 10. The NG unit was easy to plumb, the diesel unit feeds from my 1000 gallon bulk diesel tank.
Never had issue one with either, just normal maintenance.
I bet most issues come about when owners don't maintain them properly.
People tend to forget about maintenance until it's crucial time and then the unit fails. Same applies to a portable unit.
You let the gas get stale or the battery go flat and it don't run and people then whine even though it was their fault in the first place.
I'm quite happy with both my units just as I'm happy with my little Champ I use in the RV. In fact, I just dumped the gas in the Champ and ran it dry, gave it a shot of fogging oil until next season. Need to change the oil yet.
