I have three Generac generators. They all run on propane. They were
installed over a 10 year period. The third unit was purchased from Lowes with
a 10 percent military discount, for a bit over $8K.
I do all my own maintenance including oil and filter changes, and spark plugs.
A complete kit is available from Amazon. On propane the oil is ready for
change every 2-3 years, and looks almost new when drained. The battery lasts
about 5 years.
Before these generators were installed I used small portable gas powered
generators with manual connection to main breaker panel. I need three because
our 16 acres has three power meters, to the house, radio shack and horse barn.
The barn also has the water well.
I do not consider cost recovery as an important issue, although I am able to
write off the cost for the barn because it is run under a LLC. In our area,
having a happy family during storms is plenty of justification.
73, Keith NM5G
On Sunday, April 4, 2021, 11:35:44 PM CDT, Mark Brantana via BVARC
<[email protected]> wrote:
I just have to wonder, how Generac can justify the cost of their generator.
That is what does not add up for me.4kW = $250 at Home Depot17kW=$10,000 from
Generac
Looking at the chart below; from Hiller, if you want A/C included, it is going
to take that much power.
If this is not critical, there another option could be considered:
A whole-house unit would be nice to have, but a Generac would cost about
$120+/mo for four years. The small 4kW portable generator I bought would be
paid for in about 2 months at that rate.
If you have gas heat, you can run the fan with the smaller unit. In this option
you can buy all the emergency generating power you need for the cost of the 4kW
generator I bought at Home Depot for around $250. Add a SPDT switch to the fan
and wiring for around $100 and the total cost is about $350.
It does not have to be Generac or nothing. Even if I had the cash, I don’t know
if I could justify the very high $/kW. I would prefer a few more vacations.
I would have been very comfortable if I had just been able to run the heater
fan.
MarkN5PRD
On Apr 4, 2021, at 8:11 PM, Bruce via BVARC <[email protected]> wrote:
We had our Generac whole house generator installed in August, 2020. Our house
is all electric. Shortly after, someone cut down a tree about a 1/2 mile from
us, it fell on a utility pole knocking out power to our entire street for 8
hours. The generator was great during that summer heat. Then came the cold of
February and it worked great for 4 days. The neighbors on both sides of me and
behind me all have generators. The $10,000 investment will never be recovered
however, having power is wonderful. In fact, it cost me about $1.25 an hour in
natural gas to run the generator. Could not be more pleased.
For those getting a generator, if you go after a Generac, be sure to watch
their website for warranty specials. I have a 10-year warranty plus the first
year onsite service. Paid my dealer for 5 years of onsite above that. Changing
the oil is a piece of cake as I had to do it during the cold. Every 25 hours of
run time. I bought 6 filters and a bunch of 5W30 synthetic oil to do it during
an emergency when the dealer could not come out. Takes about 10 minutes to
change it.
Enjoy your generator.
73...bruce
On 4/4/2021 7:57 PM, k5hm.ron--- via BVARC wrote:
For those of you who don’t know John, I met him when he was the Division Vice
Director. He is very active in the ARRL and a great advocate for hams in
Texas. He has been a frequent presenter at our Ham Fest and club meetings. He
knows his way around Texas politicians too. I’ve never had much use for
lawyers but John is the exception. Perhaps because like me, he is also an
engineer. Dear John, I wanted to thank you for your persistence in guiding
the Texas legislature to pass recent legislation regarding HOA’s preventing the
installation of standby generators. During the recent Texas freeze my XYL
and I were without power for 4 days We existed by camping out in our family
room with the cats and the gas fireplace and lots of flashlight batteries.
Fortunately, we have a gas stovetop, so we were able to prepare food. When it
was over, I vowed, we would not have to live without heating and AC winter or
summer. We signed with a local dealer and hopefully we will have the standby
system installed before the 2021 hurricane season begins. While we were going
through the paper work with the company rep, he showed us a suggested letter we
could send to our HOA that stated“I understand it is my responsibility to
obtain all HOA approvals for my whole house generator system. I acknowledge
Quality Generators cannot act on my behalf in dealings with my HOA.” It was
then I remembered John talking about his legislation regarding this problem.
So I Googled it. There it was in black and white. Texas Property Code Section
202.019. I It reads: Except as provided by this section, a property owners'
association may not adopt or enforce a dedicatory instrument provision that
prohibits, restricts, or has the effect of prohibiting or restricting an owner
from owning, operating, installing, or maintaining a permanently installed
standby electric generator. Thanks again John. 73,Ron,
[email protected]/db/k5hm<image001.jpg><image002.jpg><image003.jpg>
Excelsior!
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--
Bruce Paige, KK5DO
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