Anyone with experience with Generac generators

[COZICAN]

I'm considering buying a 5500W Generac but know the thing will sit 99% of the time. I'm really good at maintaining my yard equiptment but it dosen't just sit. Also considering a Honda EU2000i knowing it will last a decade but it wont run my furnace. We have gas fireplace and a kerosene heater and was able to keep the house around 66 degrees during this last ice event. The furnace would be nice but tv, lights and coffee seem most necessary. Thoughts?

Coz

 

[chuter]

We've got a Generac 5500W that we got a back in '08 and have no regrets. It starts itself up once a week for about 10 minutes to charge the battery and check itself, but it doesn't do a real power out simulation. It's great peace of mind knowing it's there. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Edit: oops, the 5500w unit was a portable one I had years back, my current unit is a 16kw full house.

 

[KOPBET]

I bought a 5550W portable after the 2007 ice-maggedon in Tulsa. I've continued to run it periodically, connected it to the house and ran lights, TV and such, and even had to repair a no-start issue a couple of times, but have never used it in an actual power outage.

 

[snipes]

all the high end houses I work on use them

 

[ConstitutionCowboy]

At our last house we had a water cooled 21K Watt Generac unit and it performed flawlessly. We sold the house last month and are building our "retirement" downsized house and will install a 17K Watt air cooled whole house Generac generator in it. The air cooled unit is about half the price of the water cooled unit. We won't need the extra power of the bigger water cooled units, but it would be nice if the smaller units were available water cooled. They are quieter, and probably longer lasting. But at our age ...

The Generac whole house(permanently installed, hard wired) generators have a weekly or biweekly or monthly "exercise" function where the generator can easily be programmed to run for 10 to 12 minutes at either full speed, or half speed, or even lower speed(you choose) to keep them in tip top shape.

If there ever is a problem, the generator will likely not run on its "exercise" function, which will give you ample warning that something is amiss.

The only problem we ever had was battery acid corrosion.

Woody

 

[cowadle]

the harbor freight 7000 watt generators have a great reputation and are a fraction of the price, the only thing to know is they are really a 6.5 kva. oh and they are on sale right now http://www.harborfreight.com/engine...atts-13-hp-420cc-generator-epa-iii-69671.html

 

[Shadowrider]

Are you talking about a portable Generac 5500? I'm assuming you are. With that in mind I'd say a few things.

1) Exercise it at least every couple of months WITH A LOAD and you'll be fine. You still have to do annual oil changes though. Don't skip the maintenance stuff.

2) I can run my central heat on my 5500 Coleman but it's a gas heating unit. I'm just about certain I could run it on a Honda 2000i too. With an electric heating unit you are looking at a vastly bigger generator, probably hard wired that does 220/240.

3) I also have a Honda 1000i for my electronics and I wish I had went with a 2000i. Just more versatile.

4) Sta-Bil in the fuel is mandatory if you aren't running it often. I use it in everything and have never had a fuel issue.

 

[Rooster1971]

I assume the Honda is a 2000w gen. Didn't to look at the specs. Why can't that run a furnace and a few lights. Most furnaces I work on don't draw enough amps to approach 20kw. Are you on gas?

 

[cowadle]

i run my central heat gas furnace with a 1500 watt generator.

 

[elwoodtrix]

these people are on my route

http://www.cliffordpower.com/