Opinions on Generac portable generators for backup home power?

[VirginiaHeritage]

I’m looking at portable generator options for backup home power since we get more than our share of tree-related outages. We’re almost the only ones in the neighborhood without one. No power means no water pressure from our well, along with the usual concerns. According to my retired electrical engineer neighbor, who has explained how to tie it into our home electric, I want 5,000 running watts and 6,000-7,000 starting (peak) watts.

Honda’s offering at this spec is over $3 grand. I love Honda small engines, but damn. Generac is about a third of that and available through Home Depot just down the road. Anyone have good or bad experience with Generac portables for occasional use?


https://www.homedepot.com/p/Generac...Generator-with-COSense-GP5500E-8150/333568831

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[Thatguylegit69]

I mean, if you have expendable cash, sure; but I don't suggest generac to anyone asking me. I was an industrial electo-mech / elec engineer, then started my own elec resi business. Generac just is a pain with warranties, parts, customer service right now (like most companies but this is bad).

I'd say go grab the appropriate sized honda / predator (invertor specifically) with single fuel / dual fuel / tri fuel and run it.

My home is almost 3,000 ft² and use the older predator inverter (9,000w model) and can run everything. Laundry, kitchen, heat pumps for 2 floors. No issues.

If you need more power, then grab another and run them in parallel. All of that is still cheaper than an entry level generac.

 

[MNBigfoot]

Have you thought about the Duel fuel ones?

Here's Costco pricing shipped to your home on a bigger Generac:
https://www.costco.com/p/-/generac-...start-portable-generator/4201027407?langId=-1

 

[Brian_B]

If you are going Generac do the full 21kW automated whole home backup. They are the best bang for the buck (but do NOT neglect the service). With install with run you $8-12k, but fully automated with auto switch and check-runs and very quiet. They are air cooled 25hp lawnmower engines - similar to Kohler or B&S. (Kohler or Cummins would be the direct competition)

If you just want cheap and easy - Harbor Freight Predator is hard to beat. Honda is the best for portable, but you will pay for it - worth it if you actually need to use it daily, but for just occasional backup probably overkill.

I can run my while house (minus AC) on a 8kW unit (including well pump)

 

[Brian_B]

And I’ll be honest - unless you are planning for multi-day outages (and planning fuel for such) - the whole home power stations are a better deal and very nice for outages up to a few hours. They can get big enough to run almost everything too.

 

[Z because X was taken]

I have the whole house Generac and would highly recommend it. But, if you want a portable one for just running the well and a few circuits look at the
predator from Harbor Freight. Very reasonable price and very dependable. Used one for years before I got the whole house generator installed

 

[Valhalla]

To my understanding Generac maintenance is a pain, Kohler is better (just from research i am doing on whole home systems)

 

[Oldhippie]

My sister lives in the hills with week+ long power outages and has solar panels and a power wall that covers over 90% of their yearly power needs (they do have a small generator for “emergency“ backup but nearly never use it)…we are now in town and outages are not an issue but do have solar panels and pay next to nothing for electricity (service fee and tax)…just saying….

 

[Z because X was taken]

To my understanding Generac maintenance is a pain, Kohler is better (just from research i am doing on whole home systems)

Not in my experience owning the Generac whole house generator. The maintenance has not been a pain.

 

[Valhalla]

Do you maintain it? Or Generac?

 

[Brian_B]

My sister lives in the hills with week+ long power outages and has solar panels and a power wall that covers over 90% of their yearly power needs (they do have a small generator for “emergency“ backup but nearly never use it)…we are now in town and outages are not an issue but do have solar panels and pay next to nothing for electricity (service fee and tax)…just saying….

The finances for solar change dramatically depending on what state and utility you are in.

The functionality of them, of course, doesn't change across state lines - they are a great option for folks that have sun, especially southern facing exposure.

The utilities here in CA are now pretty anti-solar; you can still install it, but the financials have been turned on it's head by recent tariff changes, and the incentives going away were icing on the cake.

I think if we can get patio plug and play solar approved here it will help tremendously (small systems you can just plug into the wall - like the Power Stations with plug-in solar panels)

 

[Headsong]

Have you seen/heard about these new battery backups begun by Michael Dell's son. They are free, other than installation. He makes money by taking electricity during the night, storing it, and then selling it back. For you, free backup!

 

[CitrusBronco]

I have a generic 16k and it works fine. Going on 8 years and I got it used. It only gets cycled as I’ve never needed it but at $300 with a pile of accessories I could not pass it up.
I use a ridgid brand with a Yamaha engine 8k for my backup events as it’s smaller and uses less fuel. Another great buy for $330 due to damaged box.
I installed a transfer switch on my house.
I have a Honda 2k that I take camping and power tools for projects around my property. No deal on this it was like $900 normal going price at the time.
In conclusion I think all the major brands seem to be good these days. Don’t be afraid of used, most have never been run after initial startup.
I only run non-ethanol fuel to prevent storage issues. So far not a single startup issue.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Lol, ... did anybody mention the Predator from Harbor Freight yet?

I bought a small one in an emergency situation, it was all they had by that point. 4200 watt. 120V only, Predator.
It got me through for the 3 days of no power last week.
I had to single pole the entire house, couldn't run the AC, kept an eye on the applied loads.
Pretty happy with it.
Now, I have since looked at the big Hondas and realized I could do a large Generac stand-by for a few grand more .... that's a no brainer for me.

If not a whole house, get the 13kw Predator and back feed the AC disconnect, kill the utility main , and your back in business pretty easily.
I'd make a nice heavy lead with twist lock cord ends.... to make hooking up effortless.

Always remember to shut off the main breaker when your back feeding.
Better yet, use an interlocking type breaker for your panel. Forces you to shut off the main in order to close the back fed breaker.

 

[Z because X was taken]

Do you maintain it? Or Generac?

I have the local company that did the installation do the service. Set up the appointment once a year. Pay over the phone. Painless.

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