[RE-wrenches] Generator recommendation request

[Jeremy Coxon]

I have had good luck with Koehler 12kWRES and 15kW propane units lasting well over 10yrs in off grid usage. A couple of which I know have only had bare minimum maintenance, i.e. oil changes and filters etc.  I have a couple larger (~20kW) off grid systems that have 25kW Diesel Koehler units.  One of which runs biodiesel made on site, but we put that unit inside an insulated garage which was a PITA to maneuver into place.  The first winter in operation the start battery went bad which meant the main bank wasn’t charged during frigid weather.  Luckily I had required the owner to build a subsurface battery room (walk out basement below the power shed), so they didn’t freeze.  Bottom line, unless your customer is very mechanically savvy, I would not recommend diesel due to 1) need for block heating and starter charging parasitic losses, 2) need for clean dry fuel.  

I gotta say I am intrigued by this Wildcat Generator company’s website.  They’re using Honda engines for their smaller units which are extremely reliable and well built, but for charging an off grid system I really would prefer a small displacement propane/NG fueled (very clean operation and much easier all weather starting) inline water cooled 4 cyl running at 1800rpm - and if it can be DC coupled that would be awesome.  They do have liquid cooled units, but I don’t see what their dB levels are or what their enclosures look like and the heavy metal music on their vid’s gives me pause.  The warranty looks interesting though and they seem to be into straight talk so...  

My customers have not had good experiences with Generac (only sold a few of those for strict standby power w/o PV/battery) or Kohler service or parts departments.  They do just enough to maintain a monopoly on their parts/service, so I may in fact give this Made in USA newcomer a shot on my next Offgrid.

Jeremy Coxon NABCEP 
Certified MWBE

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