Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Somewhat OT (Generators again)
| Somewhat OT [message #134235] |
Mon, 11 July 2011 20:53  |
GeorgeRud
Messages: 1380
Registered: February 2007
Location: Chicago, IL
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Once again, after a sudden storm this morning, I'm using the Generac generator in the GMC to run the critical circuits at home. This is twice in two weeks, with the last outage lasting over two days. Of course, my clinic also lost power, and a tree fell on the newly reshingled roof, so it's a good day to sit down with an adult beverage to drown my sorrows.
I'm contemplating purchasing an automatic, natural gas powered generator for the clinic, and perhaps my home as well. Has anyone installed one and had any suggestions on brand? Generac has their Guardian line, but an architect friend of mine was insistent on Kohler.
Any advice is appreciated as this is not a small amount of mooney.
George Rudawsky
Chicago, IL
75 Palm Beach
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| Re: Somewhat OT [message #134254 is a reply to message #134235] |
Mon, 11 July 2011 22:58  |
idrob
Messages: 645
Registered: January 2005
Location: Central Idaho
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| GeorgeRud wrote on Mon, 11 July 2011 18:53 |
Once again, after a sudden storm this morning, I'm using the Generac generator in the GMC to run the critical circuits at home. This is twice in two weeks, with the last outage lasting over two days. Of course, my clinic also lost power, and a tree fell on the newly reshingled roof, so it's a good day to sit down with an adult beverage to drown my sorrows.
I'm contemplating purchasing an automatic, natural gas powered generator for the clinic, and perhaps my home as well. Has anyone installed one and had any suggestions on brand? Generac has their Guardian line, but an architect friend of mine was insistent on Kohler.
Any advice is appreciated as this is not a small amount of mooney.
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George: This is a topic that has as many opinions as Tires on GMC's. LOL
If you are going to spend the money, be sure you get what will do the job for you. If your needs are critical and you have to have power you will need to spend a considerable amount of money for the proper low speed, heavy duty reliable, always start in any weather, automatic exercise, automatic transfer switching set.
If your needs are less critical, you can scale down the $$ outlay but you may not have a set which will run when you need it. A generator which will not start and run in an emergency is a pretty large outlay of money for no use. But, again, if it is not all that critical, and most of the time when you need it it will go, saving money is always good.
This site has a fair selection of Standby Generators and information. I have no affiliation with it at all.
http://www.eaton.com/Electrical/USA/ProductsandServices/Residential/GeneratorsTransferSwitches/index.htm
Rob Allen
former owner of '76 x-PB
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| Re: Somewhat OT [message #134263 is a reply to message #134254] |
Tue, 12 July 2011 00:31 |
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My son lives in a mountainous area and purchased a Generac 15K powered by Propane, mounted on a concrete pad. It tests itself once a week for about 20 min. or so. So far, has performed flawlessly for four years. They use Propane for cooking, furnace and hot water, instant type. Their Propane tank is huge, about twelve feet by three feet.
geo groth '73 260 Sequoia
Carson City Nevada 89703
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| Re: [GMCnet] Somewhat OT [message #134277 is a reply to message #134235] |
Tue, 12 July 2011 08:18 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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George -
I use gensets in my work (Broadcasting) in a number of locations as well as on our trucks. To me, the choices are Caterpillar, Onan, and everybody else. In the smaller sizes, Caterpillar doesn't offer but Onan does. I have everything from 300KW down to 2500 Watts. I'd suggest the Onan for your purposes, unless your clinic is radiology - at tht point I'd bid it to Onan and Caterpillar.
I'll note, maintenance is EVERYTHING. Whatever you get, if it is essential, pay to have it serviced at least once a year. We do twice a year, one including oil and all filter changes; every two years new batteries, and every four years we do complete belts, hoses, and radiator drain, flush, and refill. I have one machine on a four year battery cycle for test, the supplier says the new batteries will last four years. If they survive test, we'll change to four year replacement.
We exercise under load for 30 - 45 minutes a week using an automatic exercise clock which is built into the switchgear. Also, I end up at my plants in the middle of the night two or three times a year. When I do, first sction is to go over to the commercial power disconnect on the buiuilding, pull it, stand there in the dark, and see what happens. This is the only valid test for pbackup power. Every onece in a while instead of lights and nouise in 7 seconds, I'm still standing there in teh drk a minute later. Better to find this out before I need the backup!
In broadcasting, listening to one hand clap can cost me anywhere up to $15,000 per hour. Our biggest two expenses for maintenance oare our gensets and our HVAC equipment. Both are mission - critical.
--johnny
--- On Tue, 7/12/11, George Rudawsky <GeorgeRud@aol.com> wrote:
From: George Rudawsky <GeorgeRud@aol.com>
Subject: [GMCnet] Somewhat OT
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Date: Tuesday, July 12, 2011, 1:53 AM
Once again, after a sudden storm this morning, I'm using the Generac generator in the GMC to run the critical circuits at home. This is twice in two weeks, with the last outage lasting over two days. Of course, my clinic also lost power, and a tree fell on the newly reshingled roof, so it's a good day to sit down with an adult beverage to drown my sorrows.
I'm contemplating purchasing an automatic, natural gas powered generator for the clinic, and perhaps my home as well. Has anyone installed one and had any suggestions on brand? Generac has their Guardian line, but an architect friend of mine was insistent on Kohler.
Any advice is appreciated as this is not a small amount of mooney.
--
George Rudawsky
Chicago, IL
75 Palm Beach
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Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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