[JRoot]

Im shopping for a standby generator and have a quick question:

I will only run 120V circuits from a 50A transfer switch. According to some very complicated mathematical calculations (50A * 120V = 6000W). If I buy a 7kW generator my transfer switch will be the limiting factor, right? There's no sense in getting a 10 or 12 kW generator with a wimpy transfer switch correct?

Just double checking my logic....

 

[Scuba_Dave]

How & to what are you going to connect this?
Will it be a manual switch process?
Automatic switches are now required to cover (all of) the house

 

[JRoot]

Dave,
This generator will run three circuits:
sump pump
basement receptacles
basement lights

It will be an auto switch.

Why are the automatic switches required to cover the whole house??

 

[wirenut1110]

I don't know what brand stand-by generator your looking at but, most come with a 100 amp auto switch.

Under 08 code, the generator just needs to be capable of supplying the full load to the circuits being transferred not the whole house, unless a load management system is used.

 

[JRoot]

Im comparing the brigss & stratton 7kW & and 10kW, along with the GE 10kW generators...

The GE machines come with a 200A "Symphony" transfer switch, the B&S generators come with a 50A switch. Anybody had any experience w/ the GE generators and the symphony transfer switch??

I was told to keep away from the Guardian Generac generators - anybody had good or bad experiences w/ the Generac?

 

[wirenut1110]

I'm a Generac dealer and have sold, installed, serviced, etc., 100's of these generators from 7-60KW and have NEVER had any issues with them, other than floor models people bought or units bought online to save some money. Generac generators are the #1 selling generator and I doubt if it was "junk" this would be the case. Years ago, yes I believ they had some issues however, now, they are very reliable units. That's my .02 on the subject.

PS. Generac uses a B & G block for their engines

 

[JRoot]

Wirenut, thanks for the feedback, this is the kind of info I am after.

What is the typical service life for the Generacs? Assuming that they are maintained regularly.

 

[wirenut1110]

That's a good question that I don't have an answer to but, I will find out for you or you can go to http://generac.com/ they have a lot of useful info there.

I've only been a dealer for 6 years and the models, features, etc. are constantly changing so, this is kinda difficult. I do prefer liquid-cooled 1800 rpm models but they can get pricey.

I can say that, the one's I've installed and or serviced/repaired from other installations, have had no issues with them other than some very small issues that really had nothing to do with the generator at hand. Some of these have been in for about 10 years.

 

[JRoot]

Generac's website says up to 30! years...
@11hrs/yr for weekly exercise, and 80hrs/yr for outages.
They say they're designed to last 3000 hrs...

 

[Maineelectric]

GE Generator systems

I'm a GE and B&S seller of generator systems. The GE systems is a different version of the B&S generators. B&S builds all GE gen-sets. The transfer switches are the same except GE puts in a module with an optional control relay to control high load equipment. However, GE & B&S basic models, both are the same.

Ge has a 13 KW gen-set and with load shedding you don't need to go with a bigger unit. The load sheddding with start and stop any high load equipment until something else shuts down and the load is now able to start. All motors require double the starting voltage so any generator has to have ample starting surge to operate motors. Things with motors ( fridge, A/C units, Oil burner, pumps and ETC.)

Both units if installed correctly by licensed electrician you should not have any problems. To all installer of gen-sets. you must run two conduits to provide control cicruits. Todays electronics within the generator and transfer switch require all line voltage circuits to be in separate conduit and electroncis control wiring to be in conduit # 2. In the old days many electricians installed control wiring in with the power wiring. Today that is not a wise, it causes all sorts of problems

Im comparing the brigss & stratton 7kW & and 10kW, along with the GE 10kW generators...

The GE machines come with a 200A "Symphony" transfer switch, the B&S generators come with a 50A switch. Anybody had any experience w/ the GE generators and the symphony transfer switch??

I was told to keep away from the Guardian Generac generators - anybody had good or bad experiences w/ the Generac?