Re: [MBZ] Speaking of Standby Generators
This is one of their consumer models and is a good value for the dollars. These are pretty simple units as you described and like most anything work well and perform as intended as long as they are properly maintained. An equivalent Onan or Kohler unit would easily be twice the cost and far more complex. As long as the homeowner is looking for critical load backup and not whole house standby, these do a great job for the money spent. If I ever put a standby system in and wasn't looking for a whole house solution I would buy one. My joking comes more from the commercial/industrial side of the business, where Generac is considered the KMart of the industry... Dan On Aug 11, 2013, at 11:25 PM, Scott Ritchey ritche...@nc.rr.com wrote: It's an air cooled two cylinder model (13 kW NG, 15 kW LP). I think the model number is 04390-3. I bought it in late 2005 or early 2006 through an electrician as part of a remodel/addition job to my 1854 house near Raleigh NC. It cost about $3500 as I recall. I have a sub-panel (fed from the transfer switch) that powers most of the house. Ironically, the very frequent power outages almost totally stopped after I got the generator. Thanks for all the insight on these things. The controls on mine are quite primitive but they work well enough. The speed control is a simple mechanical governor and the voltage regulator looks analog. Nothing that would intimidate a shade-tree mechanic. Scott -Original Message- From: Mercedes [mailto:mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com] On Behalf Of Dan Penoff Sent: Sunday, August 11, 2013 8:44 PM To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: Re: [MBZ] Speaking of Standby Generators I would have to know more. Is it air cooled or water cooled? Where was it purchased? Model number? In fairness, the one thing that Generac has done right that no one else in the business has done is make a decent product for the consumer market. Their small standby units marketed through Home Despot and Lowe's are actually pretty decent for the money spent, and have a fairly high level of reliability. The other folks, such as Kohler and Onan, have tried to tap this market unsuccessfully for years. They can't make a highly commoditied? product because they're so deeply involved in the commercial market. Trying to make a generator based on price point rather than design is nigh impossible. Kohler's current and recent offerings, in my opinion, are too highly engineered and rely far too much on electronics. Their controls are microprocessor based and use proprietary software and hardware. If something acts up or breaks, you're screwed. Sadly, many consumers don't discover this until it's too late and they're stuck with a very expensive repair bill or a large expensive lawn ornament. Generac is an engineering house rather than a manufacturer. They design stuff themselves and base their production on volume, which is so far from what the others do it's an alien concept. That's why everything says Generac on it - it's someone else's product, like Briggs or Tecumseh, with Generac's exterior design for things like cooling. Case in point is the 25kW unit I got for nothing and fixed for $40. It had a Mitsubishi gas industrial engine that was never marketed in the US. Generac bought the long blocks directly from Mitsubishi and added all the peripheral parts such as fuel, drive and mounting. When the coil in the distributor failed (a system much like GM's HEI) the only fix was an assembly replacement - a new distributor - to the tune of $1600 for the part alone. With travel time, mileage and labor all wrapped up in that repair, it exceeded 50% of the cost of a new unit. The owner bought a new unit and we took the old one back. I did some research and found that the engine was common in Asia and Oceania, so I got a hold of John in Australia and he got me the coil - for a whopping $40 US shipped! This is the risk with the Generac product, but as far as the consumer stuff, parts are common and plentiful, so that's not an issue. Dan --- On Aug 11, 2013, at 8:29 PM, Scott Ritchey wrote: Dan, I have a Generac propane standby generator, about 15KW. The engine says Generac on it but I suspect it's really made by someone else. Do you know? By the way, the only time it failed to start was caused by a dead battery. The 100 amp transfer switch is a knife-blade design so I suppose it could stick if it hasn't operated in a long time. There is a manual override but I don't think I'd want to open the box in a bad storm. Scott ___ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Speaking of Standby Generators
I am collecting a garage full. Maybe I will end up building another R107 if the theory holds. So far, I am just glad I have the part on the shelf when I screw up the car. Again. What sucks is getting stuck with parts for a car you no longer have, and nobody wants to buy. clay 2002 s430 - Victor, a Stately well tailored chap 1974 450sl - Frosch - Two tone green 1972 220D - Gump - She was green, simple and ran 1995 E300D - Gave her life to save me against a Dame in a SUV POS 1987 SDL - Beware Nigerian Scammers On Aug 11, 2013, at 10:10 PM, Allan Streib wrote: Scott Ritchey ritche...@nc.rr.com writes: Ironically, the very frequent power outages almost totally stopped after I got the generator. Sounds like the rule that if you have a spare part on hand, that part will never fail! Allan -- 1983 300D 1979 300SD ___ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Speaking of Standby Generators
Dan, I have a Generac propane standby generator, about 15KW. The engine says Generac on it but I suspect it's really made by someone else. Do you know? By the way, the only time it failed to start was caused by a dead battery. The 100 amp transfer switch is a knife-blade design so I suppose it could stick if it hasn't operated in a long time. There is a manual override but I don't think I'd want to open the box in a bad storm. Scott -Original Message- From: Mercedes [mailto:mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com] On Behalf Of Dan Penoff Sent: Sunday, August 11, 2013 2:00 PM To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: Re: [MBZ] Speaking of diesel law tractors Kohler or Onan, but not the consumer grade stuff. If I was going to put in another standby system I would shop around for a decent used commercial system. There are lots of them out there with few hours on them as take outs. I had a 25kW Generac at my last house, but I got it through work as a take out from a very expensive (2.5M) home. Cost me $40 to get it running, courtesy of John, the Aussie guy with the MB shop. He could source the electrical part the engine needed that couldn't be found here in the States. Dan Sent from my iPad On Aug 11, 2013, at 1:44 PM, OK Don okd...@gmail.com wrote: So, what is a decent home back-up power generator/transfer switch combo? On Sun, Aug 11, 2013 at 12:36 PM, Dan Penoff d...@penoff.com wrote: That's a Generac! -- OK Don They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. - Benjamin Franklin 1775 in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes. - Benjamin Franklin 1789 2013 F150, 19 mpg 2012 Passat TDI DSG, 45 mpg 1957 C182A, 12 mpg - but at 150 mph! ___ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Speaking of Standby Generators
I would have to know more. Is it air cooled or water cooled? Where was it purchased? Model number? In fairness, the one thing that Generac has done right that no one else in the business has done is make a decent product for the consumer market. Their small standby units marketed through Home Despot and Lowe's are actually pretty decent for the money spent, and have a fairly high level of reliability. The other folks, such as Kohler and Onan, have tried to tap this market unsuccessfully for years. They can't make a highly commoditied? product because they're so deeply involved in the commercial market. Trying to make a generator based on price point rather than design is nigh impossible. Kohler's current and recent offerings, in my opinion, are too highly engineered and rely far too much on electronics. Their controls are microprocessor based and use proprietary software and hardware. If something acts up or breaks, you're screwed. Sadly, many consumers don't discover this until it's too late and they're stuck with a very expensive repair bill or a large expensive lawn ornament. Generac is an engineering house rather than a manufacturer. They design stuff themselves and base their production on volume, which is so far from what the others do it's an alien concept. That's why everything says Generac on it - it's someone else's product, like Briggs or Tecumseh, with Generac's exterior design for things like cooling. Case in point is the 25kW unit I got for nothing and fixed for $40. It had a Mitsubishi gas industrial engine that was never marketed in the US. Generac bought the long blocks directly from Mitsubishi and added all the peripheral parts such as fuel, drive and mounting. When the coil in the distributor failed (a system much like GM's HEI) the only fix was an assembly replacement - a new distributor - to the tune of $1600 for the part alone. With travel time, mileage and labor all wrapped up in that repair, it exceeded 50% of the cost of a new unit. The owner bought a new unit and we took the old one back. I did some research and found that the engine was common in Asia and Oceania, so I got a hold of John in Australia and he got me the coil - for a whopping $40 US shipped! This is the risk with the Generac product, but as far as the consumer stuff, parts are common and plentiful, so that's not an issue. Dan On Aug 11, 2013, at 8:29 PM, Scott Ritchey wrote: Dan, I have a Generac propane standby generator, about 15KW. The engine says Generac on it but I suspect it's really made by someone else. Do you know? By the way, the only time it failed to start was caused by a dead battery. The 100 amp transfer switch is a knife-blade design so I suppose it could stick if it hasn't operated in a long time. There is a manual override but I don't think I'd want to open the box in a bad storm. Scott -Original Message- From: Mercedes [mailto:mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com] On Behalf Of Dan Penoff Sent: Sunday, August 11, 2013 2:00 PM To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: Re: [MBZ] Speaking of diesel law tractors Kohler or Onan, but not the consumer grade stuff. If I was going to put in another standby system I would shop around for a decent used commercial system. There are lots of them out there with few hours on them as take outs. I had a 25kW Generac at my last house, but I got it through work as a take out from a very expensive (2.5M) home. Cost me $40 to get it running, courtesy of John, the Aussie guy with the MB shop. He could source the electrical part the engine needed that couldn't be found here in the States. Dan Sent from my iPad On Aug 11, 2013, at 1:44 PM, OK Don okd...@gmail.com wrote: So, what is a decent home back-up power generator/transfer switch combo? On Sun, Aug 11, 2013 at 12:36 PM, Dan Penoff d...@penoff.com wrote: That's a Generac! -- OK Don They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. - Benjamin Franklin 1775 in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes. - Benjamin Franklin 1789 2013 F150, 19 mpg 2012 Passat TDI DSG, 45 mpg 1957 C182A, 12 mpg - but at 150 mph! ___ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to:
Re: [MBZ] Speaking of Standby Generators
It's an air cooled two cylinder model (13 kW NG, 15 kW LP). I think the model number is 04390-3. I bought it in late 2005 or early 2006 through an electrician as part of a remodel/addition job to my 1854 house near Raleigh NC. It cost about $3500 as I recall. I have a sub-panel (fed from the transfer switch) that powers most of the house. Ironically, the very frequent power outages almost totally stopped after I got the generator. Thanks for all the insight on these things. The controls on mine are quite primitive but they work well enough. The speed control is a simple mechanical governor and the voltage regulator looks analog. Nothing that would intimidate a shade-tree mechanic. Scott -Original Message- From: Mercedes [mailto:mercedes-boun...@okiebenz.com] On Behalf Of Dan Penoff Sent: Sunday, August 11, 2013 8:44 PM To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: Re: [MBZ] Speaking of Standby Generators I would have to know more. Is it air cooled or water cooled? Where was it purchased? Model number? In fairness, the one thing that Generac has done right that no one else in the business has done is make a decent product for the consumer market. Their small standby units marketed through Home Despot and Lowe's are actually pretty decent for the money spent, and have a fairly high level of reliability. The other folks, such as Kohler and Onan, have tried to tap this market unsuccessfully for years. They can't make a highly commoditied? product because they're so deeply involved in the commercial market. Trying to make a generator based on price point rather than design is nigh impossible. Kohler's current and recent offerings, in my opinion, are too highly engineered and rely far too much on electronics. Their controls are microprocessor based and use proprietary software and hardware. If something acts up or breaks, you're screwed. Sadly, many consumers don't discover this until it's too late and they're stuck with a very expensive repair bill or a large expensive lawn ornament. Generac is an engineering house rather than a manufacturer. They design stuff themselves and base their production on volume, which is so far from what the others do it's an alien concept. That's why everything says Generac on it - it's someone else's product, like Briggs or Tecumseh, with Generac's exterior design for things like cooling. Case in point is the 25kW unit I got for nothing and fixed for $40. It had a Mitsubishi gas industrial engine that was never marketed in the US. Generac bought the long blocks directly from Mitsubishi and added all the peripheral parts such as fuel, drive and mounting. When the coil in the distributor failed (a system much like GM's HEI) the only fix was an assembly replacement - a new distributor - to the tune of $1600 for the part alone. With travel time, mileage and labor all wrapped up in that repair, it exceeded 50% of the cost of a new unit. The owner bought a new unit and we took the old one back. I did some research and found that the engine was common in Asia and Oceania, so I got a hold of John in Australia and he got me the coil - for a whopping $40 US shipped! This is the risk with the Generac product, but as far as the consumer stuff, parts are common and plentiful, so that's not an issue. Dan --- On Aug 11, 2013, at 8:29 PM, Scott Ritchey wrote: Dan, I have a Generac propane standby generator, about 15KW. The engine says Generac on it but I suspect it's really made by someone else. Do you know? By the way, the only time it failed to start was caused by a dead battery. The 100 amp transfer switch is a knife-blade design so I suppose it could stick if it hasn't operated in a long time. There is a manual override but I don't think I'd want to open the box in a bad storm. Scott ___ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Speaking of Standby Generators
Scott Ritchey ritche...@nc.rr.com writes: Ironically, the very frequent power outages almost totally stopped after I got the generator. Sounds like the rule that if you have a spare part on hand, that part will never fail! Allan -- 1983 300D 1979 300SD ___ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
