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)

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