GENERAC AND HOME STANDBY GENERATOR TIPS

BTW...... one of the most impressive features of owning a Generac Standby Generator is the 24/7/365 Hotline number they give you. You get to talk with a very knowledgable and technically qualified person within a minute or so - no long wait times. They are based in the USA and are Americans so they speak our lingo clearly. IMO that is a huge plus - especially these days! They have answered questions I had in no time at all with accurate answers. A pleasure to deal with.
 
chief38 said:
Anyone who has a standby generator do your self a big favor and make SURE the cabinet is locked on both sides!!! This will prevent wind from tearing the top lid off! It will also prevent the strong winds lifting it up so driven rain, critters and unauthorized people can gain access.
Click to expand...

If you look on the backside of the cabinet you'll find a rocker switch that cuts off the generator. The switch duplicates a cutout switch that has been installed on the cabinet's interior for years. The switches are to protect service personnel who get into trouble with a running engine. Thank the Consumer Product Safety Commission for the external switch, a solution to a problem that does not exist and the cause of a new vulnerability to vandals. Anybody can casually turn off your generator, even if the cabinet is locked, rendering it useless. You might see the cutout notice on your phone app. If you have a monitoring contract with your local installer, they might see it, but probably won't. My machine has gone months with a control board failure without the monitoring service noticing.
 
Bald1 said:
Couple questions as I’m going to install one in the new house we’re building in two yrs. When generator does its test run is it producing electricity? How does that work if electricity is not out? And is it like any other internal combustion engine where it has an air intake? I often wondered what happens if it ends up underwater or sucks in water.
Click to expand...

The weekly programmed tests are run under no load, producing only enough power to overcome the small impedance in the wiring back to the transfer switch, essentially nothing. For a true test under load one can pull the manual transfer bar at the transfer switch, isolating line power. You don't want to do this often as all house power and electronics not on batteries go dark, but it's not a bad idea to do annually to make sure the transfer switch is working. It is the overlooked beating heart of a whole house emergency generator system.

I will speak of Generac, as I am most familiar with mine. It has an elevated air intakes for engine and generator cooling and for combustion air. The generator intake is pretty low on the cabinet. Best not to find out what would happen if it sucked water. The combustion air intake is inside the cabinet, well elevated. If it floods the engine and controls have long since drowned. The main cooling air intake grating is pretty low. If it floods the battery is under water as well as the main cooling fan. Not a good thing.
 
ggibson511960 said:
The weekly programmed tests are run under no load, producing only enough power to overcome the small impedance in the wiring back to the transfer switch, essentially nothing. For a true test under load one can pull the manual transfer bar at the transfer switch, isolating line power. You don't want to do this often as all house power and electronics not on batteries go dark, but it's not a bad idea to do annually to make sure the transfer switch is working. It is the overlooked beating heart of a whole house emergency generator system.

I will speak of Generac, as I am most familiar with mine. It has an elevated air intakes for engine and generator cooling and for combustion air. The generator intake is pretty low on the cabinet. Best not to find out what would happen if it sucked water. The combustion air intake is inside the cabinet, well elevated. If it floods the engine and controls have long since drowned. The main cooling air intake grating is pretty low. If it floods the battery is under water as well as the main cooling fan. Not a good thing.
Click to expand...

For us the power goes out at least a few times a year just because..... so the Generac tests itself under full load then - lol. There is always a transformer getting hit by lightening, a truck that hits an electric pole, storm, etc.
 
Oh well, #37 went for crickets
frown.gif

Wondered if anyone had experience with these in the heat.
 
soFlaNative said:
As the battery in 20+KW Generac remains stationary is there any advantage to an AGM or is that overkill.
Asking for my Mom's.
Click to expand...

Sorry - missed that one. :o According to Generac, AGM batteries have a little more cold cranking amps (CCA) but they suggest NOT using them for one reason or another. They are not absolutely forbidden, but not suggested by Generac. They say overall they will not perform as well - something to do with the unit's charging system. So couple the AGM's higher price and shorter life - no advantage. Thankfully, Generac's use a smaller battery size group and they are not terribly expensive. You can buy them for about $100 - $150 depending on the manufacturer. Mine is already 3 years old and still reading 13.4 Volts. I will replace it before next hurricane season regardless of the voltage reading as they say battery life is typically 3 - 4 years. I do not want to chance it during hurricane season for a few extra months and not have it start if and when needed.

I've already done the research and the #1 best battery for the size group is the AC Delco GOLD. I already spoke to the local Chevy Dealer and he said it takes 1-3 days to come in after being ordered. He quoted me $135 which is actually less than some lower quality batteries so I will replace mine next summer. They normally don't stock batteries that small for cars but he said they will gladly order it for me.
 
FROM INTERSTATE'S WEBPAGE

What’s an AGM battery charger?

AGM batteries have special charging needs. Some battery chargers offer an AGM or Absorbed setting to meet those special charging requirements.

An AGM-compatible battery charger sends more amps into a lead-acid battery while keeping the voltage less than 14-15 volts. AGM chargers go through the three charging phases (bulk, absorption and float) just like a regular charger. However, a regular charger could exceed 17 volts when charging a battery.

AGM batteries can absorb more current than a regular car battery, which is why they can recharge faster. It takes time to charge regular batteries. They need slow, low-amp charging to prevent overheating — and they need more volts to push through their internal resistance.

AGM batteries don’t have nearly as much internal resistance, which is how they absorb 30, 40, even 50 amps at a time instead of a regular battery getting stressed out at more than 10 amps.

This is also why an AGM battery needs special charging.

Regular battery charging can break AGM batteries. Regular batteries need 15-17 volts to get the same amps. However, voltage greater than 15 volts can overheat an AGM and generate enough pressure to pop its safety valve. That one-way valve is supposed to relieve excess pressure from the harmless gases that come when a battery’s charging. Too much voltage becomes too much pressure, and pop. Without an airtight seal, an AGM will dry out in hours.

Then you’re in the market for a new AGM battery.

Bottom line: Do not use a regular battery charger for an AGM battery. Make sure you use the AGM or Absorbed setting. If you’re not sure, don’t risk it.
 
wood714 said:
Batteries? What batteries?

My folks gave me my generator because it made too much noise when they used it for their Airstream at Bluegrass festivals.

I've had it since 2006. I have to pull a rope to start mine. It ain't fancy, but today when I fired it up, it worked most well.

It's the older version of this one.

POWER%20BOSS-XL.jpg
Click to expand...

Noise is just a small inconvenience that the neighbors can get over.
 
lkabug said:
Good advice. I'm currently looking to have a whole house generator installed.
I'm thinking of a Krohler. Anyone with experience of something other than Generac?
Click to expand...

I have had a 20KW Kohler for about 10 years and am very pleased with it. It is fully automatic, powered by propane from a big tank, and is serviced annually each fall.
 
SMSgt said:
Noise is just a small inconvenience that the neighbors can get over.
Click to expand...

This past Thursday was the first time I've used it since 2006.

Past 2 storms around 2016, and 2018 my power was out 12 hours each time. It went out Thursday morning around 0200. I waited until 1400 to fire up my generator.

Soon as I started it, I told my neighbor if they wanted to run a cord they were more than welcome, even offered them a 100 foot extension cord. They didn't mind the noise at all. Power came back on 2 hours later.

For the record, me and the neighbor never really hit it off, this might change things.
 
WardenRoss said:
Bottom line: Do not use a regular battery charger for an AGM battery. Make sure you use the AGM or Absorbed setting. If you’re not sure, don’t risk it.
Click to expand...

My new mower came with a small AGM battery. Always used a Battery Tender on my old mower.

Did some research and found this. My AGM battery is hooked up to one right now. Hope it doesn't kill it. The battery compartment is set up so I can replace it with a standard battery if I want.

"Our iconic Battery Tender® Plus revolutionized battery charging and maintenance through innovation in smart charging technology.

This 12V, 1.25 AMP charger extends battery life for motorcycles, ATVs, watercraft, and more.

With an industry-leading 10-year warranty, this advanced charger provides a full charge before switching to float mode for optimal battery health.

The Battery Tender® Plus is perfect for all lead-acid, flooded, or sealed maintenance-free batteries (AGM and gel cell)."





1.25 AMP Plus 12V Battery Charger
 
WardenRoss said:
FROM INTERSTATE'S WEBPAGE

What’s an AGM battery charger?

AGM batteries have special charging needs. Some battery chargers offer an AGM or Absorbed setting to meet those special charging requirements.

An AGM-compatible battery charger sends more amps into a lead-acid battery while keeping the voltage less than 14-15 volts. AGM chargers go through the three charging phases (bulk, absorption and float) just like a regular charger. However, a regular charger could exceed 17 volts when charging a battery.

AGM batteries can absorb more current than a regular car battery, which is why they can recharge faster. It takes time to charge regular batteries. They need slow, low-amp charging to prevent overheating — and they need more volts to push through their internal resistance.

AGM batteries don’t have nearly as much internal resistance, which is how they absorb 30, 40, even 50 amps at a time instead of a regular battery getting stressed out at more than 10 amps.

This is also why an AGM battery needs special charging.

Regular battery charging can break AGM batteries. Regular batteries need 15-17 volts to get the same amps. However, voltage greater than 15 volts can overheat an AGM and generate enough pressure to pop its safety valve. That one-way valve is supposed to relieve excess pressure from the harmless gases that come when a battery’s charging. Too much voltage becomes too much pressure, and pop. Without an airtight seal, an AGM will dry out in hours.

Then you’re in the market for a new AGM battery.

Bottom line: Do not use a regular battery charger for an AGM battery. Make sure you use the AGM or Absorbed setting. If you’re not sure, don’t risk it.
Click to expand...

Thanks for doing the research and making the post. I did not know most of the details that you just explained, but I did know Generac does not recommend the use of AGM batteries. Now we know why. Thanks again!
 
erikpolcrack said:
I have had a 20KW Kohler for about 10 years and am very pleased with it. It is fully automatic, powered by propane from a big tank, and is serviced annually each fall.
Click to expand...

Kohler's are known to be of excellent quality and very reliable generators - no doubt about that! The 3 main reasons I did not look further into Kohler is because in my area Kohler just doesn't have the dealer network that Generac does. For every Kohler dealer and repairman there must be 50 Generac dealers. Secondly, I got my Generac through Costco and they offered a rebate of $1,000 plus a 10 year no charge extended warranty worth another $1,000. Last but not least I have had Generac's for 30+ years and have always had good luck with them - so that's what I stuck with.

That said, I do know a few homeowners here that have Kohler's and they do love them.
 
I've never really understood the need for a generator, frankly. (for home usage, not a hospital, etc.)

If it makes you feel better, OK.

Yes, food may spoil, but it can be replaced.

On the off chance something might happen once every 10 years (or whatever arbitrary timeframe) and then maintenance during this time, changing out gas and oil...different strokes for different folks I guess.
 
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