Generac or Kohler
- Thread starter Jackfre
- Start date
Generac has about 90% of the home generator market.
Dealers and spare parts are readily available.
I have a 20kw unit and it ran for eight days straight during hurricane Sandy without a hiccup. The only thing with Generac units is that you have to check/adjust the valves every 100 hours as they use solid lifters. Kohlers use hydraulic lifters and as such, no valve checks are required. Other than that, I would say the engines are comperable as are the gen side of the units, imho.
Dealers and spare parts are readily available.
I have a 20kw unit and it ran for eight days straight during hurricane Sandy without a hiccup. The only thing with Generac units is that you have to check/adjust the valves every 100 hours as they use solid lifters. Kohlers use hydraulic lifters and as such, no valve checks are required. Other than that, I would say the engines are comperable as are the gen side of the units, imho.
reader2580
Well-known member
I bought a Kohler generator back in 2001. It has some sort of weird needle type valve in the natural gas line that had to be adjusted just right to allow the engine to start and run. It was a pain in the rear.
Kohler no longer has that valve in their new generators. I would probably still go Kohler over Generac. Generac just seems to have a reputation for building junk.
Kohler no longer has that valve in their new generators. I would probably still go Kohler over Generac. Generac just seems to have a reputation for building junk.
Here is a link to a forum that is dedicated to Generac air cooled units.
http://www.zillerelectric.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=3
I think anything that can be bought today is inferior to compared to what was made years ago, no matter who the mfg is.
When you have 90% of the market, there are going to be more issues brought to light. That does not mean it is a bad product, but everyone has their own opinion.
http://www.zillerelectric.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=3
I think anything that can be bought today is inferior to compared to what was made years ago, no matter who the mfg is.
When you have 90% of the market, there are going to be more issues brought to light. That does not mean it is a bad product, but everyone has their own opinion.
Trey T
Well-known member
How about the GE or B&S generator with those vertical engine (I assumed)? Anybody have experience with those?
robertlynk
Well-known member
One thing to consider is the noise of the generator. The air cooled unit will be louder than a water cooled unit. Also get one that has a exercise feature
Here is a link to review of whole house gens. You should check Consumer Reports as well.
http://www.generators.smps.us/ratings.html
My 20kw Generac (air cooled with enclosure) has a db of 66. A comparable Kohler has a rating of 67db.
I guess like anything else, you can always find someone who has had a problem with a Generac or a Kohler or any other brand for that matter.
I work for a large utility and I asked our generator contractor what he would put in his house and he said, "go with Generac." I bought one as did both of my daughters and we could not be happier.
http://www.generators.smps.us/ratings.html
My 20kw Generac (air cooled with enclosure) has a db of 66. A comparable Kohler has a rating of 67db.
I guess like anything else, you can always find someone who has had a problem with a Generac or a Kohler or any other brand for that matter.
I work for a large utility and I asked our generator contractor what he would put in his house and he said, "go with Generac." I bought one as did both of my daughters and we could not be happier.
Their nic is "Generjunk".
koditten
Well-known member
Either, as long as it is a twin cylinder.
No issues with twin Koehler motor. 6 yrs and counting. Nothing more than oil changes.
No issues with twin Koehler motor. 6 yrs and counting. Nothing more than oil changes.
bob15
Well-known member
I always heard it as genercrap.
To the OP, If you are talking about LPG or NG, I would look at Gillette. American made and a great product (they also make industrial size as well) https://www.gillettegenerators.com/.
I bought mine through here (great to work with): http://www.usadiscountgenerators.com/standbyspecs/feat10.html
I would recommended a 12kW unit. To me, a 20kW is a waste of money, both purchasing the unit and running it. Reality is, you won't be running ever electrical appliance in the house at one time, like the "calculator" figure.
bob15
Well-known member
If you go diesel, do a google search for Hardy Diesel.
If I had to do it over again I'd get a dual fuel one of which would be propane. So much easier cleaner and safer than a straight gas unit. PRopane Would also alleviate the gas gumming common with generators that arn't run dry after intermittent use.
I might add My local repair shop takes in a lot of ethanol damaged small engines too. Most are junked. Beware that cheap chainsaw/generator/lawnmower on ebay as it might be one from the "pallet a month" they whole sale out of repair shops. Items to expensive to fix are often just left there by owners.
I might add My local repair shop takes in a lot of ethanol damaged small engines too. Most are junked. Beware that cheap chainsaw/generator/lawnmower on ebay as it might be one from the "pallet a month" they whole sale out of repair shops. Items to expensive to fix are often just left there by owners.
mshell56118
Well-known member
just wondering why i see no mention of cummins onan http://powertohomes.com/View-Product-Line
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bob15
Well-known member
Except they are gasoline powered. LP or NG is the way to go for generators.
Can't argue with that.I prefer diesel for larger units
I have an Italian rig. 35KW, hard wired w/ a flipper switch.3 minutes without power and she starts up.
Life saver here.I have fish ponds. No pumps. Dead fish.
malibu101
Well-known member
This is comparing apples to oranges, but---
The campus I work on has a whole-building generator on almost all the buildings on campus. They are Kohler diesels ranging between 75KW and 250KW.
They have almost no problems.
On the smaller 10KW and such I don't know.
I do know on the larger units I mentioned they have John Deere engines so engine parts are more available.
Anybody know what power Kohler uses on "home" generators?
The campus I work on has a whole-building generator on almost all the buildings on campus. They are Kohler diesels ranging between 75KW and 250KW.
They have almost no problems.
On the smaller 10KW and such I don't know.
I do know on the larger units I mentioned they have John Deere engines so engine parts are more available.
Anybody know what power Kohler uses on "home" generators?
bob15
Well-known member
Kohler engines.....
Slowgsr
Well-known member
Cummins/onan
Kohler
I wouldn't touch generac, they're basically cheap throw away units. Sorry for anyone I've offended by saying that
Kohler
I wouldn't touch generac, they're basically cheap throw away units. Sorry for anyone I've offended by saying that
I am a gen tech for a living. Genercrap has the easiest warranty, kohler is the hardest to deal with. Onans rarely fail. Briggs/GE are just as big a pos as the generjunk.
I highly suggest the onan, if you decide to go diesel do not buy a protector series generac it will fail with low hours.
Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk
I highly suggest the onan, if you decide to go diesel do not buy a protector series generac it will fail with low hours.
Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk
planecrazy
Well-known member
I just bought a 20KW NG Cummins/Onan. It will start for the first time next week. I was going with either Kohler or Cummins/Onan. For me, the deciding factor was a local dealer. From what I've seen so far, I'm impressed although I have no long term experience.
Tomjohn
Well-known member
I have repaired generators for the past 26 years , Generac would be my last choice .
CJ7VFR
Well-known member
The best generator to have is the one that is there for you when you need it. The right size will provide the power you need to run the things it takes to keep you in your home during an emergency!
When hurricane Irene hit the east cost in 2011, we lost power for three days. Because everything in my house needs electricity, we had no water (well pump), no heat, no lights, no sump pump, no septic pump, an inch of water in the basement, and we lost two refrigerators full of food.
I told my wife never again, and we went out and bought a Briggs and Stratton Storm Responder 5500/8250 generator and Gen-Tran 10 circuit Transfer Switch. I paid just over $700 for the generator, and about $400 for the transfer switch, power inlet box, 25 foot L14-30 cord and all the 10 gauge wire to hook it up.
Fast forward to October 2012, and hurricane Sandy hits New Jersey. We lost power for 11 days!!!!
I hooked up the Storm Responder to the power inlet box leading to the transfer twitch, fired it up, and threw the 10 switches on the transfer switch.
We had heat, hot water, lights, a working sump pump, two working refrigerators, working internet service with phone and t.v., a working microwave and small toaster oven, a coffee machine and we could use the bathrooms!!
I have heard the stories about how everyone says this generator is junk, or that one *****, or the other brand is no good. But I am from the school of if you maintain it, change the oil, and feed it good clean gas, any generator is better than none at all.
For 11 straight days I had that Briggs and Stratton Storm Responder working. I would run it for about 16 hours a day, as that was how long it would run on a tank of gas. Then I would let it rest for 8 hours and fire it up again. I changed the oil per the recommended intervals in the owners manual, and it ran flawlessly, and never missed a beat.
It was worth it's weight in gold if you ask me. It allowed my wife and I to stay in our home, and not have to spend money on hotel rooms like some of our neighbors. Or have to replace hundreds of dollars worth of food again. And the piece of mind it gave us is priceless.
People may say the Briggs generators are not good, but not me. Is it the best you can get? Probably not. Are there better ones out there? Probably. But I would recommend the one I have in a heartbeat.
Here is a picture of the one I have. It is shown with the handle in the stowed position. The handle can come completely off if you want to remove it:
Jim
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wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
Whatever u brand u decide on, get a generator that runs @ 1800rpms instead of 3600rpms. Quieter and longer life!
James-W
Well-known member
May I ask why? I don't doubt your sincerity, I am just curious as to why you feel this way. One of the guys who bowls on the same league as I do has a son who works at Generac. He says they sell an awful lot of generators, especially the home standby ones. If they aren't very well made I would think word would get around and they would not sell as many as they do. Is there something I am missing here?
I have a gernerac 6500. it has an exercise feature.. or you can grab the starting fluid. apparently need to richen the pilot circuit. everything else i own is honda, and my next generator will be.. My honda snowblower starts every first snow, after two pulls.. my generic generator is only two years old and sounds like its gonna grenade.. probably has 10-15 hours on it.. For $650 It worked in my emergency though.
Trey T
Well-known member
It's probably like Porsche 911 engine (1st gen water cool non turbo circa 2000), bc they're a poorly designed bottom-end. Porsche isn't a "mass produced" brand (relatively to Toyota) and they don't get reported bad as often bc Porsche would warranty it before words would get out
Platonic Solid
Well-known member
Here's my 20kW Generac installation info.
Has well over 300hrs. on it now. I've changed the oil & filter, that's it - nothing else. No complaints or issues. Works when I need it.
Has well over 300hrs. on it now. I've changed the oil & filter, that's it - nothing else. No complaints or issues. Works when I need it.
TheEquineFencer
Well-known member
Same here.
IMO, Onan's are the Cadillac of Generators, then Kohler, then whatever else....
Generac's are built to "just get by".
They get out of warranty if you're lucky, then quit. Right now I know of two people using them for a storage shelves outside their house because of failed rotors or generator controls that the quoted parts and labor are more than a new one.
Mustang51js
Well-known member
I've installed 50 plus stand by generators the last few years,out of all of them only one was a kohler,the rest were generac. I had a issue with one generac that the homeowner had for a few years and then decided to install it,it was out of warranty and they still fixed it for free. The only complaint I have against generac is that it needs 6 control wires to hook up as were the kohler only needed two. As far as portable generators they are pretty much as good as you take care of them
stihlntime
Well-known member
Honda Honda Honda then Kohler. My Honda is 20 years old has been through severalbice storms. Last time power was out for 14 days and it only shut off for gas. Water cooled and super quiet.Generac's Chinese engines won't cut it for me. I've heard nothing but horror stories from our generator mechanic about generac at the local farm store. If price point is an consideration I would got Sam's Club and buy the Honda powered 7000 watt unit for under a grand. To the original question Kohler any day over generac.
Flivver250
Well-known member
I have not heard of any profound problems with Kohler, Generac or Honda. Going diesel 1800 rpm is a costly venture unless it is going to be used often. I am probably going to install a 22kw air cooled generac for the whole house. Warranty and service availability seems to be most easily available and they probably outsell all the others by a considerable margin. Any engine will suffer if it is not exercised and maintained. Generac was also the most responsive to calls thus far.
Generac moves a lot of units because they are cheap. They are cheap because they aren't very good. There is more to a generator than the motor that runs it. Generac has very dirty power and can fry your electronics. I have seen this in my customers homes where I rip out Generac systems and have installed Onan units. I've had no problems with Onan units in the past.
I bet during an extended blackout, any generator that worked would be looked at as gold. During Sandy, I dont think people were shying away from any generator that they could get thier hands on no matter what the brand. As I said, after eight days straight during Sandy and many other incidents of loss of utility, my Generac performed flawlessly and handled my 4 ton ac unit with no
problems.
problems.
LS6 Tommy
Well-known member
Market share and reliability are not always directly related. (Homey Depot accounts for something like 70% of Generac's sales.) One major US pickup truck manufacturer claims they outsell another 2 to 1. It's because their trucks only last half as long as the other brand...
Generac parts are readily available because they are frequently needed. Go with the Kohler. Better yet, get a Cummins/Onan. Stay away from Guardian and Centurion. They are just rebadged versions of the older (and even less reliable) Generac low level line of generators.
I have dealt with 3 unrelated generator companies. Two of them sold my employers Generacs, but said they would not sell me one for my house. The third will not sell them at all.
Tommy
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Tomjohn
Well-known member
With my experience Generac doesn't hold up as well as other brands . I have seen several of the GM 4.3L units fail the exciter at low hours resulting in 6000.00 dollar repair . I have had a lot of trouble with the controls failing .