Generator score

[rodnok1]

Local Home Improvement store special ordered for someone and they returned it, store was unable to return to manf so...retail 3k, clearance price 600. Now to install and get a tank... It's a 12K generac with auto transfer switch. Didn't really need it but sister borrowed my big portable generator(5kw) last year and hasn't returned it, it cost almost 500 with wheels new anyways. Guess I'll be ready for hurricane season this year.

 

[91FE]

sweet deal.

 

[Torque1st]

Great score!

Does it run on propane?

Did the previous owner even put oil in it?

Has it been running (hopefully not without oil)?

It looks like it even has an oil cooler.

Why would a store take back a special order item? Great deal for you but it just seems strange.

When the Y2K hoopla was going on many people bought generators and all sorts of survival stuff. After nothing happened they wanted stores to take back the generators etc for refunds. That didn't happen for the most part so there were lots of items on Ebay and Craigslist.

 

[NUTTSGT]

looks like a sweet deal.

 

[nolatoolguy]

Although I dont like Generac for 600 bucks that aint bad.

 

[rodnok1]

Ng or LP with the flip of a switch, never been ran not even unbolted from the pallet yet. . The guy had it delivered and brought it back the same day. He needed a unit with outdoor rated transfer switch(200 amp) and they are expensive. It is the same motor as the 20k units I found out.
I'm surprised they didn't make him pay at least 20% restock fee. They had it for several months and tried to sell it at $1500. Basically they wrote the unit off and got whatever they could for it. As it was being loaded several employees were ranting that they wanted it, I told them you should have bought it then....it was here for months before I found out about it. It is a heavy sob I can tell you that, almost 500lbs.

 

[NUTTSGT]

That transfer switch would cost a chunk of that 600 smackaroos itself.

 

[Herb]

AHEM... YOU ****!

 

[jwhcars]

Nice score !!!

 

[Torque1st]

AHEM... YOU ****!

Man, I am glad somebody remembered that!

 

[koditten]

Nice score. I had the same unit installed 2 years ago. I have it set to turn on every week for 15 minutes. The only thing I dont like is it is a pain in the *** to change the oil. Also save yourself some money and find the wix or purolater filter for it. They wanted 27 bucks for a generac filter. I cross refrenced it and found the proper filter for 4 bucks or less. It does make the gas meter spin pretty fast when it is in exercise mode. Adds about 2 bucks a month in natural gas here in central michigan.

Later

 

[sstruckguy]

VERY nice indeed. I would have given that price in a heartbeat.

 

[thecj3man]

Although I dont like Generac for 600 bucks that aint bad.

What do you dislike about the Generac? I have been looking at them at the local Northern Tool.

WAP

 

[babzog]

Niiice! You get a big You **** for that one!

 

[rodnok1]

Nice score. I had the same unit installed 2 years ago. I have it set to turn on every week for 15 minutes. The only thing I dont like is it is a pain in the *** to change the oil. Also save yourself some money and find the wix or purolater filter for it. They wanted 27 bucks for a generac filter. I cross refrenced it and found the proper filter for 4 bucks or less. It does make the gas meter spin pretty fast when it is in exercise mode. Adds about 2 bucks a month in natural gas here in central michigan.

Later

thanks for the info, do you have the wix number handy? This on has a oil change hose attached to the drain plug, it still looks a little short IMO.

 

[koditten]

I don't have the Filter # handy right now. It was easy to find out tho. Just asked the parts guy at Napa and then compared the filter to my original. These things get so little use until you really need it I don't think it matters what filter brand you go with. Because the exercise time is so short your oil will look almost brand new when you change it the following year. The only reason you really have to change the oil is to get rid of the built up, condensed combustion buy products. The units don't run long enough to heat the oil up to cook off the moisture and unburnt fuel.

As for that drain hose, it is only one step closer to being useless. The first time I changed out the oil it took me 45 minutes to drain the crank case and I still wasn't sure if I got all the old oil out. My solution was to buy a miniture boat oil change kit. I found it on Ebay and it works like a dream. You pump it up like a garden sprayer but it works the opposite by putting a vacuum on the used oil resivior. The pick up hose is poked down the oil dipstick tube and it ***** the used oil out. I believe the name was Petz. It works so good I use it on all my small engine power tools and toys.

Later
Kirk

Also make sure you position it so the exhaust is facing away from the area you spend the most time. The Kohler Command engine is a loud sum beech. Also make sure you research a good time for the execise mode to kick in. I set mine for 4pm on a wednesday. Most people in my area are at work or not sleeping.

 

[rodnok1]

Thanks for the advice koditten, I'm placing it where the exhaust shoots towards the woods. I'll have to get one of those oil change kits, I hate changing the mower oil as there is almost no way to not make a huge mess.

 

[koditten]

Rodnok1:

I was mistaken on the name of the pump for removing the oil. The name is Pela, not Petz. I just checked they have one for a sale now. Just do the general search for "oil change pump".