[RE-wrenches] Generator automatic disconnect

[Chris Mason]

I haven't been a dealer long enough to remember the problems you refer to.
We don't have the sales volume to be able to speak with authority on faults
statistics but I get the impression that the quality of Generac units has
improved a lot over the last couple if years. Most of our problems are
related to lightning and bad power from the utility.

One of the problems with these air cooled units, from any manufacturer, is
the unrealistic expectations of the buyers. People want to spend $3,000 and
get a whole house generator with service rated transfer switch, and they
think that it will perform like a prime mover. The air cooled units are
good for about five or six years of occasional use. I have Kohler units
that have failed at about that period. The whole point of the ecogen is the
longer run times due to the large oil reservoir.

I have a 10 year old Lister Petter diesel with a Stamford 16KW alternator
at my warehouse that will run 20,000 hours before it needs a strip down.
Generac sells very good industrial diesels, but they cost 6 times as much
as an air cooled, so no homeowner will buy them.
Most people do not need a heavy duty generator and I see so many businesses
here over specify their generators and spend way more than they need to. I
visited a store that bought a 200KVA genset so they could run air
conditioning, but turned the air conditioning off because the electricity
cost was too expensive. Their operational load was only about 20KVA.


Anyway, I think you will find the new Generac units are very affordable and
reliable, as long as your customers have realistic expectations.








On Tue, Oct 1, 2013 at 2:29 PM, Allan Sindelar <
allan at positiveenergysolar.com> wrote:

>  Chris,
> I consider the Ecogen to be a singular model, specifically developed in
> partnership with the Propane Reliability Council for off grid applications,
> in one size and structure only at present. Early on, I put my rep on the
> line here in saying "hey, Generac has had a well-deserved bad reputation on
> this list, but take a look at this new model." There has been a lot of
> discussion about it on this list, and the general consensus is that it is
> proving itself to be a well made product.
>
> As far as I can see, though, I'll wait until I hear (on this list
> especially) that other sizes and models are proving up as good, reliable
> machines with no fundamental design flaws before extending the Ecogen's
> good reviews to the entire line. I never sold Generac, and haven't had
> reason to work with their other models in years. The few from back then
> were problematic, as others have discussed here.
>
> You have been one of their installing dealers for many years, haven't you?
> Have you had consistently good experiences with them? What issues have you
> dealt with over the years?
> Thanks, Allan
>
>
>  ** ** ** ** **
>
> *Allan Sindelar*
> *Allan at positiveenergysolar.com* <Allan at positiveenergysolar.com>
> NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional
> NABCEP Certified Technical Sales Professional
> New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician
> Founder, *Positive Energy, Inc.*
>
> A Certified B CorporationTM
> ****3209 Richards Lane**
> **Santa Fe**, **New Mexico** **87507****
> *505 424-1112 office 780-2738 cell*
> *www.positiveenergysolar.com* <http://www.positiveenergysolar.com/>****
>
>
>  **********
> On 10/1/2013 9:40 AM, Chris Mason wrote:
>
> Generac also makes a 20kw.
>
> Chris Mason
> Comet Systems
> Anguilla (264) 235-5670
> St. Kitts  (869) 662-5670
> skype netconcepts
>
> NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer™
> Renewable Energy Systems professional
> Generac Generators Factory technician
> On Oct 1, 2013 11:16 AM, "Ray Walters" <ray at solarray.com> wrote:
>
>> Sounds like they need a 20 Kw Kohler. Hot Tub in the future?  They'll
>> love their Kohler.  The Generac is just way too small to even consider IMHO.
>>
>> R.Ray Walters
>> CTO, Solarray, Inc
>> Nabcep Certified PV Installer,
>> Licensed Master Electrician
>> Solar Design Engineer
>> 303 505-8760
>>
>
>
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-- 
Chris Mason
President, Comet Systems Ltd
www.cometenergysystems.com
Cell: 264.235.5670
Skype: netconcepts
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