Kohler 14kw backup generator

[bgrafsr]

We are having a Kohler 14kw backup generator installed in the next couple of weeks. They are also going to replace the 2 100 amp panels in the basement with a 200 amp panel.
Our contractor said to go with Kohler rather than Generac, which I was thinking of buying.
Living in the country, I want power in case of power outages from the utility.

 

[Bob L]

Sounds like a good plan. 14KW should handle the house easily.

 

[gonerydin]

We got a 14kw Generac automatic back for my mother's house 15 years ago. Fueled from her 1000 gallon LP tank. It came in handy a number of times and never gave her any trouble. AFAIK it's still in use. As far as Kohler vs Generac I would go with the best deal.


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[6518John]

Bill—I have had two flawless experiences with Generac, and it it what backs-up my house now, but I think you were wise to go with your contractor.

 

[llowry61]

Our power has been very reliable, but if I lived out in the country I would get a whole house gen as well. It is worth the investment. I had a buddy who lost power and was out for 10 days during an ice storm several years ago here in central Ohio. If he hadn't had the gen, no water, lights etc. It was a life saver. The most he used it in other instances was for may be a day after a heavy storm, but even then it was sure nice to have. They are low maintenance, oil changes are simple. Well worth it.

 

[anoblefox]

We have a 12kw ONAN that has served us well for 9 years. Unless you can repair it yourself, I highly recommend you purchase the make that has service support on them in your area, regardless of brand. This is especially important if you live in a rural area. YMMV

 

[flagman1776]

We've had a manual connect 6500 Honda and it saved us yes 10 days without power, 12 days without power. My buddy is more remote than i and has a 'big' auto generator in a shed by his power pole. He was surprised how much propane it used during those long outages. He talked about a second tank. It's a wonderful addition if you are remote.

 

[gonerydin]

We've had a manual connect 6500 Honda and it saved us yes 10 days without power, 12 days without power. My buddy is more remote than i and has a 'big' auto generator in a shed by his power pole. He was surprised how much propane it used during those long outages. He talked about a second tank. It's a wonderful addition if you are remote.

Good point. If you think your electric costs are high, try making your own for a while. Out at the farm there is a PTO driven 40kw unit. 1000 gallons of diesel goes pretty quick.


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[Golddollar]

I have a 22Kw Generac generator and my house is medium sized at best. If you are looking for a generator that will basically run your whole house for possibly days at a time, go to the Generac web site to see how big a generator your house requires.

 

[bgrafsr]

I have a 22Kw Generac generator and my house is medium sized at best. If you are looking for a generator that will basically run your whole house for possibly days at a time, go to the Generac web site to see how big a generator your house requires.

I looked at 10kw and 12kw generators. The company installing the Kohler gave us a quote that wasn't too much more than a Generac, which they also sell. Also, it will be fueled by Natural Gas.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Gasoline vs. Diesel!

They are all temporary, if you don't have a reliable fuel supply.

My loss of power over the years has taught me some lessons! One you won't hear anywhere else: The Christmas Eve 2003 Ice Storm that caused 11.5 days without power taught my wife, that the 67 bottles of red wine in our "Wine Cellar" (Large rack in Master Bedroom walk-in closet) will go to vinegar. But she has almost a year to consume them before that happened!

It was sub-zero outside for 3 days and got below 32F in most of the house, but none of the wine froze! But I knew it wouldn't last the years I had been planning on. Thursday night became the new "Date Night" a for almost a year.

Any Thursday evening meal was accompanied by a bottle of Merlot, Zinfandel, or Cabernet. For B.L.T.'s use a pumpernickel and serve with Merlot.

Do Not try making Ice Cream & Zinfandel floats!!!!

Ivan

 

[Sarge9]

Recommend power surge unit for each panel and downstream
at each outlet for high $$ eq. such as refrig, tv, computer.
they do help, only takes 3-5 volts over to fry board.
The more surge protection the better.

 

[Sarge9]

I forgot to mention whole house surge unit's are now
required by NEC.
Never connect anything of value to the top two and especially
the bottom two breakers in your panel. Surge flows like water
through your system.
If you have gas/oil heat you can power your house like most
electricians do safely and by code. (save $$)
Install Interlock device for 2pole 50a breaker.(turns off main)
Install female (50a,250v) outlet outside near meter.
Purchase cord, cord caps to match above outlet and
outlet to match your portable genset.
This work should be completed by licensed contractor and inspected to cover everyone. (sell your house later)
Remember we want to protect linemen from 4100v backfeed.
Safety, Safety, don't place genset near doors, windows, ect.
Call your local EC for a quote. Carry on.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

We've had a manual connect 6500 Honda and it saved us yes 10 days without power, 12 days without power. My buddy is more remote than i and has a 'big' auto generator in a shed by his power pole. He was surprised how much propane it used during those long outages. He talked about a second tank. It's a wonderful addition if you are remote.

They will use a ****-load of propane or natural gas. But at least your electricity bill should be low enough to basically offset any increase in the gas bill........NOT

 

[oldbrownhat]

Longest outage I've had here was 84 hours during an ice storm a few years ago. I have a small Outback whole-house battery backup system (4 Trojan L16 batteries) which will run basic stuff for about 5-6 hours, plus an old Onan MDJE 5kW diesel genny which will recharge & run the house. It runs from a 20 gallon gravity-fed tank, plus 3 diesel jerry cans which I use for my tractor & small excavator. In the winter I try to keep all tanks full. The local Co-Op station also has a generator so as long as they have diesel I can refill.

I'm in a potential earthquake zone, so if the Big One does occur, who knows. Maybe even the underground NG supply could be affected. But so far it's been very comforting when all the lights go out... except mine and a couple of other folks up the road who have gennies.

 

[Kinman]

I installed a natural gas powered 20KW Generac last year and today there was a high wind outage, the transition was seamless.

 

[Dave_n]

The advantage of a Kohler over a Generac is that the tappets in the Kohler are self-adjusting, the Generac are not, so you will have to adjust them regularly after use. Have had a 22 KW Kohler using NG as a backup generator for 6 years, flawless running and we have it serviced every 6 months. I agree with the surge protector under the switch-over box. Has saved us a number of times and our neighbors on either side run extension cords to their refrigerator/freezers. We live on a hill with 120 foot and counting Oak trees that are now around 120 years old, and the PECO wires are overhead. Need I say more! Dave_n

 

[flagman1776]

My buddy had a big *** horizontal gas tank on a cement pad. His colonial era house is a few hundred feet up on the crest of the hill. He had an outbuilding "shed" built where the power line crosses his private drive. He has room to walk around the gen set in the outbuilding. It has automatic ventilation shutters.
He got monthly propane deliveries. After a week on gen power, he started to get nervous about his fuel supply. Power was still out, trees down all over, roads blocked... he'd worked several days with his tractor to clear his access road.
Piped NG is nice but can you be sure of the supply in a storm?

 

[twodog max]

My electric coop has a program where they sell and install a Generlink system. It allows a direct hookup of a portable generator to the system at the meter then I select what I want to run using the breaker panel. We have had it a couple of years and it has worked well for us. Sure beats extension cords running all over. I intend to buy a dual fuel portable and have it connected to our bulk propane tank so I can run both ways if need be.
I priced a whole house system from three different vendors. They must all drink coffee together as the prices were sky high and real close and none were a turn key setup. I would have had to hire a plumber to connect the propane tank and also either build or hire out the concrete pad for the power unit. I called BS and refused that. Also I did the online system calculations from multiple sources and several times. They all wanted to seel a much bigger unit than then online calculations said. For what they wanted to screw me I could buy a new portable unit every couple of years and still be ahead after 20 years. Doubt I will be here that long. At least around here the business is operated by shady characters IMO