Home generator - Am I crazy?

[wesman07]

Hey guys, my name is Wes. I’m in the process of building a home and have been thinking about generators. I know what I want, I’m just curious how unreasonable I’m being.

Power needs:

We are building our home, garage (which I will use a lot), and a detached home for my in-laws. Most of our power demands will be fed by natural gas. A 200amp service will satisfy both buildings. I could

My idea:

I have a

 

[mm08822]

"I could

My idea:

I have a"

Sounds ok.............light on the details however.

 

[PCustoms]

Hey guys, my name is Wes. I’m in the process of building a home and have been thinking about generators. I know what I want, I’m just curious how unreasonable I’m being.

Power needs:

We are building our home, garage (which I will use a lot), and a detached home for my in-laws. Most of our power demands will be fed by natural gas. A 200amp service will satisfy both buildings. I could

My idea:

I have a

Seem to be missing a ton of info, maybe start over?

 

[wesman07]

"I could

My idea:

I have a"

Sounds ok.............light on the details however.

What details would you like?

 

[c39er]

Your idea is great!

 

[PCustoms]

What details would you like?

Your post has nothing, just blanks like you forgot to type your thoughts...

 

[wesman07]

Oh that’s weird. Well… ok.

Hey guys, my name is Wes. I’m in the process of building a home and have been thinking about generators. I know what I want, I’m just curious how unreasonable I’m being.

Power needs:

We are building our home, garage (which I will spend most of my time), and a detached home for my in-laws. Most of our power demands will be fed by natural gas. A 200amp service will satisfy both buildings.

My idea:

I could install something like a generac 20kw with a bunch of load shed modules. However, I already have a few ford 300 engines laying around and a ton of parts. I like the idea of staying on that engine platform. I also like hearing 1,800 rpm. Kohler makes 39kw unit with that for motor. 45rs62

I can get a low hour 39kw for about the price of a new generac 20kw. Fuel consumption per kw is comparable. The smaller unit is about 5% more efficient. If I go with the bigger unit, I won’t have to install load shed modules. That is an added bonus. They have been problematic in my experience.

My electrician says I’m crazy. Am I?

 

[wesman07]

Here is the model I’m looking at

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[PCustoms]

That's a lot of generator.

 

[theoldwizard1]

A couple of questions

• Is the generator strictly for "backup" for when the electric power goes down ?
• In most of the US, power outages last for a few hours/days (there are exceptions). What are your "must have" power requirements (refrigeration, well/sewage, heat in the north, A/C in the south) and for how many hours?

If you are willing to live through a power outage with a little inconvenience, you can easily get by on a 3000W portable generator !

My electrician says I’m crazy. Am I?

IMHO, yes !

 

[kbeefy]

Is this backup or off grid? Even 20kw seems massive for backup. I easily run refrigeration and heating from a 6500w for 'emergency' situations.

 

[mm08822]

IME, a 20 - 24 KW gen covers an all gas house w/o any issue. Biggest size impact is the ac or other electrical loads that you seem to not have b/c they are NG.

Since you are all gas, for which loads are load shed modules needed? How did you perform your calcs (details needed)?

With all of the other details happening with a full house build going on, I suggest you put the transfer switch in now or at least make provisions for it now and hold on the rest.

39KW is 2x what you likely need. Understood about having spare parts but I would want to really assess the 2 options from a practical standpoint and path of least resistance with an inspector(s) being as a home build will have lots of them sniffing around for some time.

 

[wesman07]

Power could be out for a day or week a few times a year. I has to feed two homes and a septic pump. Neither home will have large amperage draws, heat pump and appliances will probably be the biggest. I do weld frequently.

I know I don’t need the power. I just prefer low rpm generator noise and prefer to stay away from load shed modules. For the price, both options are about a wash. I just don’t see enough of an efficiency loss to go small.

 

[TurnipTruck]

For two houses plus and a large enough engine that MAY make the power at 1800 rpm the 300 Ford may be an answer.
I was given this hardly-used Winco Ford 20kw* solely because the mansion owner didn’t want to feed it 400k scfm but still have to listen to a 3600rpm engine
.




* it says 20kw but the built-in ATS has an 80A breaker.

 

[GrayFlattop]

Have your electrician wire in the transfer switch and figure the rest out later. 14-20 kW should be plenty unless you have a 5000 sf house. If the power is out, do you REALLY need to use your welder?

 

[PoorUB]

Here is the model I’m looking at

Pardon Our Interruption...

Where is the transfer switch?

A liquid cooled unit would be preferred over and air cooled. For one the engine is more durable. Another concern is replacement parts. Often these generators have low manufacturing numbers and parts can be hard to find after ten years or so. I helped install a Coleman generator on a business, maybe 20 years ago. About 15 years ago a part failed and was no longer available. The customer bought a new generator. I could have bought the unit for scrap value, and I am certain I could have made a replacement part, but passed on it.

That unit built in 1997? I would pass on it. The reason it is for sale is probably the lack of support.

Also, keep in mind a new 20KW air cooled Generac will probably be obsolete in 10-15 years.

 

[mike93lx]

Yes, you're crazy. That's wildly oversized for what you need in an outage.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Power could be out for a day or week a few times a year. I has to feed two homes and a septic pump. Neither home will have large amperage draws, heat pump and appliances will probably be the biggest. I do weld frequently.

First, no welding without power from the power company.

Second, you DO have a large amperage draw. Heat Pump !

Is it primarily used to heat or cool ? If cool, can you turn it off and sweat it out ? (A couple of window A/C units will get you cool enough to sleep.) If heat, you really need a secondary heat source like a gas fireplace.

I dislike ATS and auto load shedding devices. Personally, I would wire it with a Generator interlock.

If you have 2 homes and they have 2 power meters your going to need 2 generators.

 

[pbon]

Since you are building the houses from scratch, wiring for limited loading when running on generator is no big deal. I would also work in solar power if you are in an area with enough sun.

 

[CraigStu]

Where do you live? We had a few week long power outages in Southern Md and all were in late fall, ie; hurricane season. So we didn't have to worry about power for AC or heat. That makes a huge difference in emergency power needs.

 

[zendriver]

.

 

[BroncoAZ]

Depending on your electricity rate, I’d add solar and batteries then consider a couple of small backup generators. No noise with the solar and batteries. On a multi day outage you might deplete the batteries, that is where the small generator keeps the refrigeration and heat going. In my old house I was able to run everything but high draw appliances off a Honda 2200 generator. Heat was a natural gas boiler and hydronic heating.

 

[Notgrownup]

I would rather have a new Generac or Kohler , even smaller will run everything you need. That used model is a nice unit but 1145 hours??? That’s used a lot

 

[logical]

Just get a 20-25k Generac and a single shed module for the A/C. Most likely it won't ever even need to shed off the A/C. It will be modern, reliable and have a warranty. The guys who supply it and install it will understand it and have no problem maintaining it if you are unable...or dead. You (or your survivors) will be hard pressed to get someone to service something you bought on Craigslist.

 

[Firebrick43]

I would rather have a new Generac or Kohler , even smaller will run everything you need. That used model is a nice unit but 1145 hours??? That’s used a lot

An air-cooled 20 ish KW generator is going to last 3000 hours max with proper maintenance, if it makes it past that its on borrowed time.

A ford 300 6 on propane can easily make it past 6000 hours, and depending on duty cycle and frequency 10,000 hours is easily obtainable. Plus the ford 6 runs at half the rpm making it quieter.

 

[Notgrownup]

An air-cooled 20 ish KW generator is going to last 3000 hours max with proper maintenance, if it makes it past that its on borrowed time.

A ford 300 6 on propane can easily make it past 6000 hours, and depending on duty cycle and frequency 10,000 hours is easily obtainable. Plus the ford 6 runs at half the rpm making it quieter.

Not saying it’s not a good unit. Just saying it’s used 1145 hours already, who knows what it’s hiding. New is new. Warranty and all. 3000 hours is a long time . If I had the coin, I would get a liquid cooled unit but new.

 

[Bert_]

People install used generators like that all the time for hog buildings and for farm places. Uncommon to see a new one of any type.

1100hrs is nothing, that's its once a week exercise. It will outlast the brand new air-cooled pos.

 

[jade97]

Not that this helps....

We built our house in 2015, all electric including the fireplace. Built with a 400 A electric service, had a 400 A ATS installed at that time. 3 years later I had a Generac 38kw (2.4L turbo 4 cylinder runs at 1800 rpm) installed. Aside from a bad regulator, starter, and ignition coil, it works great during outages. No worries about load management.

 

[firebirdparts]

Go for it. I guess it'll burn a lot of fuel in practice. You can cogitate on that angle.

Personally I find load shedding manually just a part of the process. I don't care much about automation.

 

[mike93lx]

That used model is a nice unit but 1145 hours??? That’s used a lot

Doesn't feel like a lot to me at all, especially for 30 years old

 

[logical]

People install used generators like that all the time for hog buildings and for farm places. Uncommon to see a new one of any type.

1100hrs is nothing, that's its once a week exercise. It will outlast the brand new air-cooled pos.

If I move into a hog building I'll keep that in mind.

 

[Bert_]

If I move into a hog building I'll keep that in mind.

Generally people would consider a hog building much more critical than a house...
Definitely willing to spend more money on a barn.

You loose ventilation in a barn for a couple hours you will have a lot of dead pigs. $$$

 

[Notgrownup]

OP. Chose as you wish. Wisely of course. Good luck. Again, not saying there is anything wrong with this unit. Probably a bit too loud for my liking. Kohler makes a good machine for sure though.

 

[PCustoms]

1100hrs is nothing, that's its once a week exercise. It will outlast the brand new air-cooled pos.

How long is the weekly exercise?

At 1/2 hour that's 26hrs a year, 1100 hours is over 40 years...

 

[Lassen Forge]

We installed a Kohler 22 KW Propane/LPG unit (Air Cooled V twin) , the ONLY issue was the original main board crapped the bed, so we had to have it replaced (on warranty, recall item). When we sold the place, it had thereabouts 4500 or so hours on it, and other than the fubarred main board, NEVER gave one lick of trouble. Regular maintenance - oil, plugs, filters, done annually.

I specced it to run (a) the well pump, (b) our house under full load, and (c) my shop. And added IIRC 30%. When it fired up during an outage (many and sundry where we were) it was usually pretty much idling, and sipped gas like a maiden aunt at a bordello bar.

 

[matt_i]

Were it me, I would plan around a 18-20kw "Generac" - not saying it has to be that brand but a commercial stationary model that you can buy all over that has everything figured out as far as voltage regulation and automated test- start maintenance modes. As suggested setup your natural gas piping, and a backfeed circuit with interlock kit.

I would not want to integrate my own generator even blessed with a plethora of IC engines. Too many other things to work on in life.

I use a small carry-able "quiet" or "tailgate" generator plugged into cords to power fridges, cell phone chargers, possibly the wireless router and cable modem and a couple of floor-lights during an outage. This gets everything except well water. Natural gas fireplace for those pesky winter outages.

If you have 2 residences, everyone can gather in one at various times for short periods.

 

[Bert_]

How long is the weekly exercise?

At 1/2 hour that's 26hrs a year, 1100 hours is over 40 years...

An hour is best. If it's not critical to have power you could do once a month.

Either way I would not be worried about 1100hrs.

 

[mike93lx]

How long is the weekly exercise?

At 1/2 hour that's 26hrs a year, 1100 hours is over 40 years...

It is almost 30 years old. So a half hour test and a couple outages over that time, maybe.

Hell, even if it was only a few years old, I wouldn't call 1100 a lot

 

[carlaisle]

I would only consider installing a Generac if it was given to me and, even then, I would never trust it. Other's have their own experiences, but that's been mine.

I think you would be far better served with as many generators as you have electric meters and size them according to your needs. I have multi-day outages every year but never have I needed to weld during one of those outages.

 

[58Yeoman]

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