Re: Generac.

Posted by Grandpa's Fords on December 24, 2018 at 07:35:24 from (74.46.21.18):

In Reply to: Generac. posted by Billy Shafer on December 23, 2018 at 13:32:04:

I am by no means a generator guru but respect anyone who lives and learns his trade to amass their knowledge. If Mr. Shafer with his credentials offered his opinions and knowledge especially after being asked then I would more than likely be inclined to pay attention.

I've been in and around constructions of all kinds for the past 40 years and have been the end user of many generators big and small.

Most recent experience now 3yrs out needed to replace 5 wore out Champion generators originally purchased at Lowes. All 5-6k have ridden around in trucks or job trailers for most of their lives and not been treated kindly on job sites. So any machine would have a hard task to stay alive in the conditions. So while shopping for new generators knew a guy who knew a guy that worked for Generac. Got me in touch with the commercial sales rep. and he convinced me not to buy the homeowner version and buy the commercial version. He gave what looked be a good deal. for 5 6500watt generators.

In less than 1/2 year all 5 had experience some type of failure. Granted not all were the fault of the generator. I know 2 busted due to being dropped off a trucks. 2 had connection issues at breakers and 1 consistently the plugged oil filter(looked to be sealant left in at manufacture).

Banged out the 2 that were dropped and back into service they go. Ordered new switches and breakers received 1 ea. in 3 weeks. Back ordered the other set still haven't received them. Cobbled together the other 1 with parts from defunct Champion to get back into service. Flushed crankcase several times and put back together and stopped filter plugging issue but smoked now.

Thankfully we kept the previous generators for spares. They didn't all work great but better than nothing.

All 5 have had the air box broken off they seem to be a magnet for getting kicked or run into by something. I started to stock an extra in our shop. It doesn't just break the cover it distorts the air box so that the throttle won't function properly. IIRC that assembly was about $120 ea. The 1 that that oil filter plugged finally seized up about a year and half old. That became a parts machine. All had issues with motor and gen mounts that were very frail and bent easily, they all had wheel kits that failed miserably, replace with wheels from harbor freight. Replaced several more breakers and switches throughout use. Loose wires, Loose wires. They were not designed for quick repair either. Remove the handles , gas tank air box to gain access to the control panel.

Yes a lot of this was due to hard and abusive use. But counted on to function daily and when needed to be repaired or corrected we would wait weeks for parts. I tried to reach the guy that sold them to me, he quit and his replacement will not call me back. After discussing with the parts manager he says someone will be in touch hasn't happened. Good thing we kept the champions 3 are back in service to replace the Generacs that have failed.

My mid 80's parents have a whole house system connected to propane. Nice install very neatly done. When service was due no word from the servicing contractor. So after some inquiry he quit Generac and someone else was handling it. Contacted him and he came within a day or 2 and took care of everything and has so religiously since. Had a failed sensor indicated on the control and he responded within 24 hrs. and corrected it. He did comment to me when I met him that he has to stock whole units and controls so that he isn't stuck waiting for parts. Also that he had difficultly getting the right parts from his supplier.

Other than 1 unit all failures have been non motor or generator

related.

Just saying you like or buy whatever you want but I won't be buying Generac or generic anytime soon.

I still have the first generator that I bought 40 years ago it was used daily for many years, McCulloch with a Briggs engine and a big yellow cover over the stator. Still runs and works good.

So thank you Mr. Shafer for your continued input.

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