Concrete GenPad vs. KwikPad

[AffableCurmudgeon]

Hi, I am looking to get a 22 kw Generac natural gas whole house generator and ATS installed using a local electrician. It will sit on an uncemented area.

Are there any major differences/benefits over using a concrete GenPad or a composite KwikPad under the generator? Is one better/worse than the other? Not concerned about the price difference between the two. I am in NC.

Thanks.

 

[Snapped-off]

Can't answer if one is better than the other, but I have a composite base under my generator, sitting on a bed of landscaping rocks.

 

[mike93lx]

If you prep the base, either will be fine. If you toss either on top of the soil, I'd expect neither to stay level

All three of my a/c's plus my pool heat pump on on composite pads and all are doing fine.

 

[Chuckster in NJ]

I used a Quick Pad for my 20 kw KOHLER and it worked well especially because I work alone……… I did not fill it with water.

 

[mm08822]

Regardless of the pad type, I always place them on top of 4" gravel.

I used to pour my own 3' x 5' pads but with all of the price increases, a ready-made pad is less labor (I was hand mixing).

My only experience with a concrete gen pad was that it was received cracked and had to be replaced by supplier. It sucked moving all of that weight at once and getting it level - pry bars, etc. Hard to keep tamped level gravel in place when moving the base into position.

The first hurricance pad (plastic) I worked with was warped. "Leveling" that was a challenge. Once I bolted the gen to it and filled with water, I had to re-level it.
Since the first one, the others have been installed w/o issue.

In NC, you may not need gravel underneath. Have the pad set higher than grass to help protect gen from mowers.