Paging Billy Shafer

Wile E

Well-known Member
Hello Mr. Shafer.

You have a lot of experience in home generators.

Can you rank in order of best to worst the following brands.

1. Briggs/Str.
2. Kohler
3. Onan
4. Generac----I remember you saying B4 that these are crap.
5. Honda ---- No home standbys sold by Honda
6. Gillette
 
Wile
Not sure what is being used out there today. So I will just go by my dealings in the past. Plus what I do know about today's units.

1 Would be Kohler. Good company with a good background in generators. People that know what they are talking about and are willing to help.They have had their share of bad engines. But overall I think they have a good line.

2 Would be Briggs/Str. Seem to be building better engines. They power quite a few of other brands generators. Easy to get parts and have a good support network.Good small generators.

3 Onan would be my first choice for units built before 1995.Some very good standby units for homes. The JC,CCK,NH,BFA,JB are all very good units. The Onans being built today to me have quality issues. Support is not that good. Cummins/Onan seems to have a problem keeping good people.

4 Honda would be a good choice. If you don't have a lot of power failures.Just need a temporary power source using cords.Cost money but they will last if taken care of. Much better than the cheap junk you can buy at the big box stores.

5 Gillette. Never had much dealings with them. But the ones I have worked on were very good units.

6 Generac. I can only say stay away from.I have never had any good dealings with them. You never know what engine will be on them. Parts prices are outrages.Everybody and their brother seems to be a dealer for them.Factory support is very poor.If at all.Hard to find anyone that will work on them.I have been contacted by three people with new Guardian units. Oil leaks and no idea if they will get fixed under warranty.

There is a company called Power Tech out of Florida. Pretty much built to customers needs. You might also check them out
 
I did some pretty in-depth research, both on line and locally before I bought my whole-house generator.

I agree 100% with Mr. Shafer's analysis. I bought a Kohler, and I paid to have a certified Kohler tech do the intial startup and baseline diagnostics. Mine is a propane fueled 14KW autostart, autotransfer. It has been flawless, and it certainly seems to be good on fuel.

I also agree with his analysis of Generacs, and would add that EVERY SINGLE PERSON I talked to that has one has had one or more control boards replaced under warranty.

My 2¢ and worth every penny. "8^)
 

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