GENERAC AND HOME STANDBY GENERATOR TIPS

ralph7 said:
I have an 18k Generac which has hydraulic lifters and therefore needs no valve adjustments.
Since all it needs are oil changes and filter replacements along with plugs occasionally, I will do my own service.
Click to expand...

Yes, but thankfully the valve lash adjustment is just a minor job - only takes about 20 minutes a side and should be a one shot deal. It's a job I don't mind doing. Painting is what I hate!
 
prairieviper said:
Yep. I have a service plan for my Generac from a local authorized dealer. Something else worth mentioning is to check your oil level if your generator runs continuously every 24 hours and top off as necessary.
Click to expand...


And..... during Hurricane Ian's power failure (around 2.5 - 3 days without power) I actually changed the oil and filter for the very first time since the generator was brand new and required changing after the initial 40 hours of run time. Changing the oil and filter takes about 10 minutes and is super easy on a Generac. When continuously running (after the initial break in and oil change), oil and filter changing has to be done after each 200 hours - or about 8 days of continuous running. That is WHY it is important to have several filters and extra oil on hand. You are not gonna be able to buy them during a time of emergency and good luck trying to get a service guy out to your home. When running for long periods of time it is more important than normal to get the oil & filter changed.

OH - and BTW it is somewhat normal for a brand new generator to use a little more oil than normal during the initial break in period, so check the oil level often during a continuous run when new. Add oil as needed during that time.
 
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.
 
chief38 said:
And..... during Hurricane Ian's power failure (around 2.5 - 3 days without power) I actually changed the oil and filter for the very first time since the generator was brand new and required changing after the initial 40 hours of run time. Changing the oil and filter takes about 10 minutes and is super easy on a Generac. When continuously running (after the initial break in and oil change), oil and filter changing has to be done after each 200 hours - or about 8 days of continuous running. That is WHY it is important to have several filters and extra oil on hand. You are not gonna be able to buy them during a time of emergency and good luck trying to get a service guy out to your home. When running for long periods of time it is more important than normal to get the oil & filter changed.

OH - and BTW it is somewhat normal for a brand new generator to use a little more oil than normal during the initial break in period, so check the oil level often during a continuous run when new. Add oil as needed during that time.
Click to expand...

No hurricanes here. Normally, a power outage here in cornfields and cows country only lasts a few hours or a day at most. There have been only two occasions in my lifetime when power was out for a week for longer. Once, during an ice storm back in the 80s (?) when power was out for 4 days and another in 2023, when a Derecho windstorm knocked the power out for 72 hours.
 
I am not aware if all Kohler gensets have hydraulic valve lifters, but our 20K does. Better actual warranty coverage in our area as well. More important is to purchase a brand that has servicing dealers in YOUR area if you will not do your own service, especially if you live in a more rural location. Generac sells more home gensets because they are better at marketing. Personally, I think the most important decision is to get a standby gen in the first place, the brand is secondary. Just get one, the future is uncertain. We have two, a 20kw and our original 12 kw, on a 500 gallon propane tank and a 150 gallon stand alone tank. Just my 2 cents worth, but we have had home standby gensets since 1985.
 
Generator, we don't need no stinking generators! They suck gas like a Sherman tank and make too much noise. Cheap enough that I enjoy the lower utility bill when it comes. My grandpa and father never had a generator.
 
So you buy a generator. Storm is coming and you evacuate like you are told because of storm surge. By the time they let you back in, power has been restored so you don't need the generator or you come back to a wasteland, including a trashed generator. Can't buy scotch because you used all your money to buy generator.
Got it.
 
CAJUNLAWYER said:
So you buy a generator. Storm is coming and you evacuate like you are told because of storm surge. By the time they let you back in, power has been restored so you don't need the generator or you come back to a wasteland, including a trashed generator. Can't buy scotch because you used all your money to buy generator.
Got it.
Click to expand...

LMAO! :D Actually having a generator when you are not home is also crucial! Without one you could return to a mildewed, molded and damp house! It is essential for the Snowbirds just because of that.

Less mold damage = less insurance claims = less money spent on insurance premiums = more $ to spend on Scotch. LOL!! :D
 
HOUSTON RICK;142086091My grandpa and father never had a generator.[/QUOTE said:
Mine didn't either. They also didn't have air conditioning and central heating and 4 wheel trucks and tractors. Some of the good old days were just old days and not good. Larry
Click to expand...
 
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 a Kohler generator. I bought mine from a dealer that also services what they sell. At the time, Generac was sold in my area by big box stores that didn't provide the maintenance services I desired. A year later, the company I bought from started servicing Generac, but did not sell them.

I have no complaints about my purchase or how dependable it has been.

Currently, it is fueled by propane and uses very little for its weekly start-up. Our neighborhood may be getting natural gas within a year or so, which will have us switching over.
 
chief38 said:
LMAO! :D Actually having a generator when you are not home is also crucial! Without one you could return to a mildewed, molded and damp house! It is essential for the Snowbirds just because of that.

Less mold damage = less insurance claims = less money spent on insurance premiums = more $ to spend on Scotch. LOL!! :D
Click to expand...
SOMEONE gets it! ;)
 
CAJUNLAWYER said:
So you buy a generator. Storm is coming and you evacuate like you are told because of storm surge. By the time they let you back in, power has been restored so you don't need the generator or you come back to a wasteland, including a trashed generator. Can't buy scotch because you used all your money to buy generator.
Got it.
Click to expand...

That’s faulty logic.

We KNOW you stockpile scotch. :D
 
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
 
We live in the North East corner of Ohio, Ashtabula County. Also home to the third largest Amish Community in the States. When the power goes out, much of the population does not notice!

We do, and we have a whole house generator because we have 4 freezers. So far in three years, we had the generator run maybe 5 hours.

Kevin
 
zeke said:
not at all familiar with generators, but a smart trickle charger extends the life of the battery's considerably. Do they make generators that can use their electrical connection to maintain the battery till it's needed?
Click to expand...

The Generac standby units have a self battery charging system and monitor. You never need to install a trickle charger. They start themselves once a week and exercise while testing. I get a report every week and it gives me the generator and battery status. Works quite well and I can also look at the phone app whenever I want to check o things. instantly.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

NYlakesider
PSA- generator owners.
Replies
2
Views
324
SMSgt
SMSgt
Kanewpadle
Generator Question
2 3
Replies
43
Views
1K
NYlakesider
NYlakesider
boykinlp
Daddy’s Home!
Replies
2
Views
167
robvious
robvious
TeamPB
Help, portable generator opinions please
2 3
Replies
42
Views
1K
smoothshooter
S
F
Extended gasoline fuel tank for generator?
Replies
11
Views
681
BoydS
B

Latest posts

Back
Top