Re: [RE-wrenches] Generator recommendation request

[Dan Fink]

Jeremy - I second your positive opinion of the propane Honda Twin GX-6xx
engines for generator use, and I'm also intrigued by the Wildcat product
using them for that reason. I have a client with a 10+ year old Coleman
(back when they made real generators!) 9.5 kW propane generator with the
Honda GX-620 engine that has been almost trouble-free since installation.
And just about any Honda dealer will service it, though house calls are
still an issue. We did have to pull it and take it in when the homeowner's
son cross-threaded a spark plug during a routine service, but it was easy
enough to pick up slung beneath a tractor bucket, the engine has 2 decent
hoisting eyebolts.

Dan Fink
Owner, Buckville Energy Consulting LLC
IREC Certified Instructor for PV and Small Wind Installation
NABCEP Certified PV System Inspector
NABCEP PV Associate
d anbo...@gmail.com
970-672-4342




On Tue, Oct 19, 2021 at 5:05 PM Jeremy Coxon 
wrote:

> I have had good luck with Koehler 12kWRES and 15kW propane units lasting
> well over 10yrs in off grid usage. A couple of which I know have only had
> bare minimum maintenance, i.e. oil changes and filters etc.  I have a
> couple larger (~20kW) off grid systems that have 25kW Diesel Koehler
> units.  One of which runs biodiesel made on site, but we put that unit
> inside an insulated garage which was a PITA to maneuver into place.  The
> first winter in operation the start battery went bad which meant the main
> bank wasn’t charged during frigid weather.  Luckily I had required the
> owner to build a subsurface battery room (walk out basement below the power
> shed), so they didn’t freeze.  Bottom line, unless your customer is very
> mechanically savvy, I would not recommend diesel due to 1) need for block
> heating and starter charging parasitic losses, 2) need for clean dry fuel.
>
> I gotta say I am intrigued by this Wildcat Generator company’s website.
> They’re using Honda engines for their smaller units which are extremely
> reliable and well built, but for charging an off grid system I really would
> prefer a small displacement propane/NG fueled (very clean operation and
> much easier all weather starting) inline water cooled 4 cyl running at
> 1800rpm - and if it can be DC coupled that would be awesome.  They do have
> liquid cooled units, but I don’t see what their dB levels are or what their
> enclosures look like and the heavy metal music on their vid’s gives me
> pause.  The warranty looks interesting though and they seem to be into
> straight talk so...
>
> My customers have not had good experiences with Generac (only sold a few
> of those for strict standby power w/o PV/battery) or Kohler service or
> parts departments.  They do just enough to maintain a monopoly on their
> parts/service, so I may in fact give this Made in USA newcomer a shot on my
> next Offgrid.
>
> Jeremy Coxon NABCEP
> Certified MWBE
>
>
>
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Generator recommendation request

[Jeremy Coxon]

I have had good luck with Koehler 12kWRES and 15kW propane units lasting well 
over 10yrs in off grid usage. A couple of which I know have only had bare 
minimum maintenance, i.e. oil changes and filters etc.  I have a couple larger 
(~20kW) off grid systems that have 25kW Diesel Koehler units.  One of which 
runs biodiesel made on site, but we put that unit inside an insulated garage 
which was a PITA to maneuver into place.  The first winter in operation the 
start battery went bad which meant the main bank wasn’t charged during frigid 
weather.  Luckily I had required the owner to build a subsurface battery room 
(walk out basement below the power shed), so they didn’t freeze.  Bottom line, 
unless your customer is very mechanically savvy, I would not recommend diesel 
due to 1) need for block heating and starter charging parasitic losses, 2) need 
for clean dry fuel.  

I gotta say I am intrigued by this Wildcat Generator company’s website.  
They’re using Honda engines for their smaller units which are extremely 
reliable and well built, but for charging an off grid system I really would 
prefer a small displacement propane/NG fueled (very clean operation and much 
easier all weather starting) inline water cooled 4 cyl running at 1800rpm - and 
if it can be DC coupled that would be awesome.  They do have liquid cooled 
units, but I don’t see what their dB levels are or what their enclosures look 
like and the heavy metal music on their vid’s gives me pause.  The warranty 
looks interesting though and they seem to be into straight talk so...  

My customers have not had good experiences with Generac (only sold a few of 
those for strict standby power w/o PV/battery) or Kohler service or parts 
departments.  They do just enough to maintain a monopoly on their 
parts/service, so I may in fact give this Made in USA newcomer a shot on my 
next Offgrid.

Jeremy Coxon NABCEP 
Certified MWBE

Sent from my iPhone
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Generator recommendation request

[Dana Orzel]

Ray this is {again} what I have experienced  over my solar career with Generac, 
controls that burned, oil leaks, all in all gener-wreak. It is sad to see yet 
another unit dead & almost every offgrid time, “oh you need to bring it in for 
servicer” over & over. 

 

 

 

Dana Orzel  Great Solar Works, Inc. 

C - 208.721.7003   d...@solarwork.com

Idaho Contractor - # 028765 Idaho PV # 028374

NABCEP # 051112-136<http://www.greatsolarworks.com> 
www.greatsolarworks.com

"Responsible Technologies for Responsible People since 1988"  

P Please consider the environment before printing this email.

 

 

From: RE-wrenches  On Behalf Of Ray 
Walters
Sent: Tuesday, October 19, 2021 1:37 PM
To: re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Generator recommendation request

 

We've seen such poor reliability with the Ecogens, that we can't recommend them 
anymore.  We've seen as high as 50% failure rates in full time off grid use as 
backup.  Charging batteries for hours is a very hard load and does not compare 
to biweekly exercise mode.  The failures have been fairly catastrophic, 
resulting in blown motors.  

The other issue with these types of pad mounted generators, as Allan just 
mentioned, is that they need to be pulled and taken into the shop for major 
repairs.  This can quickly add another $500 to $1000 to the cost, to have a 
tech with a crane pull it, truck it in, and then reinstall it later.  I'm 
actually just recommending a good quality portable generator for this reason in 
many cases.  At least the customer can take it in themselves if there's a 
problem.

The alternative is to get into the bigger (>20 kW) units with water cooled 
motors and 1800 RPM operation.  I was surprised when I compared fuel 
consumption, the big units can actually use less fuel than an Ecogen when 
charging with dual inverters.  The wildcat is interesting, but I'm not ready to 
recommend a manufacturer I've not heard of before.

Another option I have not tried in cold weather, is diesels.  I have clients in 
warmer places with Kubotas that have offered excellent service.  I have clients 
in Alaska that love their diesels, but I'm not sure what they've done to cold 
proof them.

Ray Walters

Remote Solar

On 10/19/2021 1:13 PM, Sindelar Solar wrote:

Gary,
Interesting that you bring up Generac in response to my request. The customer 
for whom I made this request for recommendations has a dead Generac EcoGen 15kW 
at her property now. I don't know what's wrong with it; it had failed before 
she bought the property. But she had it checked out and was turned down for a 
service call at her home, told instead that it would have to come into the shop 
and that basically the cost of repairs was more than replacement cost. So 
another EcoGen isn't likely at this point. 

Even on Generac's website, there are a surprising number of 'one-star' reviews 
for the EcoGen 15 (the EcoGen 6 is discontinued). The one at my own home, an 
early EcoGen 6 that Generac gave me around 2010 in return for evaluation and 
review, had a throttle solenoid fail with relatively few hours on it. So I 
remain cautious about Generac products.

Thanks for your reply, though.
Allan

On 10/17/2021 8:58 AM, Gary F Willett PE wrote:

Allan:


DISCLAIMER: I have no business or financial relationship with any Generac 
dealer.

I have owned two Generac EcoGens in the past 10 years and am pleased with their 
performance. The EgoGen is configurable using an option setting to use either 
LP or NG fuel. It is warranteed for the off-grid environment, with a 500 hour 
recommended interval for routine maintenance.

Even though I live in an urban area, I setup my PV system in the grid-tie 
battery backup configuration. I have always used LP for fuel instead of natural 
gas because of some issues we've had with natural gas reliability here in north 
Texas under extreme winter weather conditions (last one here was in 
mid-February).

I use my EcoGen only as a battery charger in a grid-down situation, it does not 
serve house loads directly. I'll admit that most of the hours on my generator 
are the bi-weekly exercise runs!

I started with the 6kW 240V AC EcoGen as a field trial participant in Generac's 
beta testing of the EcoGen in an off-grid environment in 2010. Later I upgraded 
to the 15kW kW 240V AC model. I very pleased with this model too.

So, consider Generac as an option too.

Regards, Gary 

On Sat, 16 Oct 2021 20:32:35 -0600, Allan Sindelar  
<mailto:al...@sindelarsolar.com>  wrote:
  

Mac, I appreciate your suggestion, thank you. Indeed, I called a longtime 
regional independent generator dealer about this before posting here. I was 
surprised that he has Kohler 12s and 14s in stock and available. I’ll go that 
route if I don’t hear better from our fellow Wrenches. 

Allan

  

On Oct 16, 2021, at 7:29 PM, Mac Lewis  <mailto:m

Re: [RE-wrenches] Generator recommendation request

[Ray Walters]

We've seen such poor reliability with the Ecogens, that we can't 
recommend them anymore.  We've seen as high as 50% failure rates in full 
time off grid use as backup.  Charging batteries for hours is a very 
hard load and does not compare to biweekly exercise mode.  The failures 
have been fairly catastrophic, resulting in blown motors.


The other issue with these types of pad mounted generators, as Allan 
just mentioned, is that they need to be pulled and taken into the shop 
for major repairs.  This can quickly add another $500 to $1000 to the 
cost, to have a tech with a crane pull it, truck it in, and then 
reinstall it later.  I'm actually just recommending a good quality 
portable generator for this reason in many cases.  At least the customer 
can take it in themselves if there's a problem.


The alternative is to get into the bigger (>20 kW) units with water 
cooled motors and 1800 RPM operation.  I was surprised when I compared 
fuel consumption, the big units can actually use less fuel than an 
Ecogen when charging with dual inverters.  The wildcat is interesting, 
but I'm not ready to recommend a manufacturer I've not heard of before.


Another option I have not tried in cold weather, is diesels.  I have 
clients in warmer places with Kubotas that have offered excellent 
service.  I have clients in Alaska that love their diesels, but I'm not 
sure what they've done to cold proof them.


Ray Walters

Remote Solar

On 10/19/2021 1:13 PM, Sindelar Solar wrote:

Gary,
Interesting that you bring up Generac in response to my request. The 
customer for whom I made this request for recommendations has a dead 
Generac EcoGen 15kW at her property now. I don't know what's wrong 
with it; it had failed before she bought the property. But she had it 
checked out and was turned down for a service call at her home, told 
instead that it would have to come into the shop and that basically 
the cost of repairs was more than replacement cost. So another EcoGen 
isn't likely at this point.


Even on Generac's website, there are a surprising number of 'one-star' 
reviews for the EcoGen 15 (the EcoGen 6 is discontinued). The one at 
my own home, an early EcoGen 6 that Generac gave me around 2010 in 
return for evaluation and review, had a throttle solenoid fail with 
relatively few hours on it. So I remain cautious about Generac products.


Thanks for your reply, though.
Allan

On 10/17/2021 8:58 AM, Gary F Willett PE wrote:

Allan:

DISCLAIMER: I have no business or financial relationship with any 
Generac dealer.


I have owned two Generac EcoGens in the past 10 years and am pleased 
with their performance. The EgoGen is configurable using an option 
setting to use either LP or NG fuel. It is warranteed for the 
off-grid environment, with a 500 hour recommended interval for 
routine maintenance.


Even though I live in an urban area, I setup my PV system in the 
grid-tie battery backup configuration. I have always used LP for fuel 
instead of natural gas because of some issues we've had with natural 
gas reliability here in north Texas under extreme winter weather 
conditions (last one here was in mid-February).


I use my EcoGen only as a battery charger in a grid-down situation, 
it does not serve house loads directly. I'll admit that most of the 
hours on my generator are the bi-weekly exercise runs!


I started with the 6kW 240V AC EcoGen as a field trial participant in 
Generac's beta testing of the EcoGen in an off-grid environment in 
2010. Later I upgraded to the 15kW kW 240V AC model. I very pleased 
with this model too.


So, consider Generac as an option too.

Regards, Gary


On Sat, 16 Oct 2021 20:32:35 -0600, Allan Sindelar 
 wrote:
Mac, I appreciate your suggestion, thank you. Indeed, I called a 
longtime regional independent generator dealer about this before 
posting here. I was surprised that he has Kohler 12s and 14s in stock 
and available. I’ll go that route if I don’t hear better from our 
fellow Wrenches.

Allan

On Oct 16, 2021, at 7:29 PM, Mac Lewis  wrote:

Hi Allan,
I suggest finding a local long-standing generator technician and see 
if they can help provide the generator.  We see so many generators 
bought online with no way to get service because there are no local 
and qualified service technicians to service that brand.  If you buy 
from a local technician, or at least ask for their advise, it may 
allow you to get service in the future (maybe).
We have had good success with Kohler 14 RESA or RCA machines, they 
do have off grid warranties, but good luck getting them now.

Let us know what you decide.
Thanks
On Fri, Oct 15, 2021, 4:42 PM MD Electric & Solar 
 wrote:


Check out Wildcat Generators, hand built in Kansas.
I just placed my first order for one. 10KW LPG 1800RPM liquid
cooled, built to run 24/7. They even make a DC (battery direct)
generator.
You can purchase through a master dealer in the Reno Nevada
area, Freds Mountain Electric:

Re: [RE-wrenches] Generator recommendation request

[Sindelar Solar]

Gary,
Interesting that you bring up Generac in response to my request. The 
customer for whom I made this request for recommendations has a dead 
Generac EcoGen 15kW at her property now. I don't know what's wrong with 
it; it had failed before she bought the property. But she had it checked 
out and was turned down for a service call at her home, told instead 
that it would have to come into the shop and that basically the cost of 
repairs was more than replacement cost. So another EcoGen isn't likely 
at this point.


Even on Generac's website, there are a surprising number of 'one-star' 
reviews for the EcoGen 15 (the EcoGen 6 is discontinued). The one at my 
own home, an early EcoGen 6 that Generac gave me around 2010 in return 
for evaluation and review, had a throttle solenoid fail with relatively 
few hours on it. So I remain cautious about Generac products.


Thanks for your reply, though.
Allan

On 10/17/2021 8:58 AM, Gary F Willett PE wrote:

Allan:

DISCLAIMER: I have no business or financial relationship with any 
Generac dealer.


I have owned two Generac EcoGens in the past 10 years and am pleased 
with their performance. The EgoGen is configurable using an option 
setting to use either LP or NG fuel. It is warranteed for the off-grid 
environment, with a 500 hour recommended interval for routine maintenance.


Even though I live in an urban area, I setup my PV system in the 
grid-tie battery backup configuration. I have always used LP for fuel 
instead of natural gas because of some issues we've had with natural 
gas reliability here in north Texas under extreme winter weather 
conditions (last one here was in mid-February).


I use my EcoGen only as a battery charger in a grid-down situation, it 
does not serve house loads directly. I'll admit that most of the hours 
on my generator are the bi-weekly exercise runs!


I started with the 6kW 240V AC EcoGen as a field trial participant in 
Generac's beta testing of the EcoGen in an off-grid environment in 
2010. Later I upgraded to the 15kW kW 240V AC model. I very pleased 
with this model too.


So, consider Generac as an option too.

Regards, Gary


On Sat, 16 Oct 2021 20:32:35 -0600, Allan Sindelar 
 wrote:
Mac, I appreciate your suggestion, thank you. Indeed, I called a 
longtime regional independent generator dealer about this before 
posting here. I was surprised that he has Kohler 12s and 14s in stock 
and available. I’ll go that route if I don’t hear better from our 
fellow Wrenches.

Allan

On Oct 16, 2021, at 7:29 PM, Mac Lewis  wrote:

Hi Allan,
I suggest finding a local long-standing generator technician and see 
if they can help provide the generator.  We see so many generators 
bought online with no way to get service because there are no local 
and qualified service technicians to service that brand.  If you buy 
from a local technician, or at least ask for their advise, it may 
allow you to get service in the future (maybe).
We have had good success with Kohler 14 RESA or RCA machines, they do 
have off grid warranties, but good luck getting them now.

Let us know what you decide.
Thanks
On Fri, Oct 15, 2021, 4:42 PM MD Electric & Solar 
 wrote:


Check out Wildcat Generators, hand built in Kansas.
I just placed my first order for one. 10KW LPG 1800RPM liquid
cooled, built to run 24/7. They even make a DC (battery direct)
generator.
You can purchase through a master dealer in the Reno Nevada area,
Freds Mountain Electric:
https://fredsmountain.com/
https://wildcatpowergen.com/
On Fri, Oct 15, 2021 at 3:37 PM Sindelar Solar
 wrote:

Wrenches,
Generators have become a moving target, especially for off
grid applications. Most are set up for grid backup, and I'm
assuming that many may simply be unavailable, given that half
of most everything else is on back-order with no expected
delivery date... I'm seldom asked to recommend a generator
these days, but I am today, so I'm requesting recommendations
from other off grid-savvy Wrenches, please.

I'm working with an older (2014?) existing dual Outback
VFX3524 system which will be upgraded to dual VFXR-3648s to
work with a 16kW Blue Ion LiFP battery bank; 4kW array with
upgrade infrastructure in place to later add 2kW more if
needed. Once the upgrade is done I expect relatively little
generator runtime. The customer would prefer LP fuel and
2-wire start (for remote control). Pretty much any
well-regarded model in the 8-14 kW @240 VAC rating range
could work.

Thank you for your suggestions!
Allan
-- 


*Allan Sindelar*
al...@sindelarsolar.com 
NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional
New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician
Founder (Retired), Positive Energy, Inc.
*505 780-2738 cell*

-- 
Michael D 

Re: [RE-wrenches] Generator recommendation request

[Luke Christy]

Allan,
I would not hesitate to use either the Kohler 12RES or the 14RES. 
I have many of the 14RES units out in the field and to this date they have been 
the most consistently reliable generators out of the various brands I’ve used 
over the years (Generac, Cummins-Onan and others). Several customers with 14RES 
units  have over 2000 hrs, and one 14RES in a very particular situation that 
demand high runtime has just clocked 5,000 hours with no major repairs. For a 
genset powered by a 3600 rpm engine I find that amazing. Anyway, just my two 
cents. I don’t think you’ll go too far wrong with Kohler. 



Luke Christy

Renewable energy consultant.

NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional™: 

Solar Gain Services, LLC
PO Box 531
Monte Vista, CO. 81144
sgsrenewab...@gmail.com 
719.588.3044


> On Oct 15, 2021, at 4:37 PM, Sindelar Solar  wrote:
> 
> Wrenches,
> Generators have become a moving target, especially for off grid applications. 
> Most are set up for grid backup, and I'm assuming that many may simply be 
> unavailable, given that half of most everything else is on back-order with no 
> expected delivery date... I'm seldom asked to recommend a generator these 
> days, but I am today, so I'm requesting recommendations from other off 
> grid-savvy Wrenches, please.
> 
> I'm working with an older (2014?) existing dual Outback VFX3524 system which 
> will be upgraded to dual VFXR-3648s to work with a 16kW Blue Ion LiFP battery 
> bank; 4kW array with upgrade infrastructure in place to later add 2kW more if 
> needed. Once the upgrade is done I expect relatively little generator 
> runtime. The customer would prefer LP fuel and 2-wire start (for remote 
> control). Pretty much any well-regarded model in the 8-14 kW @240 VAC rating 
> range could work.
> 
> Thank you for your suggestions!
> Allan
> -- 
> Allan Sindelar
> al...@sindelarsolar.com 
> NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional
> New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician
> Founder (Retired), Positive Energy, Inc.
> 505 780-2738 cell
> 
>  
> 
> ___
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Generator recommendation request

[Gary F Willett PE]

Allan:

DISCLAIMER: I have no business or financial relationship with any Generac 
dealer.

I have owned two Generac EcoGens in the past 10 years and am pleased with their 
performance. The EgoGen is configurable using an option setting to use either 
LP or NG fuel. It is warranteed for the off-grid environment, with a 500 hour 
recommended interval for routine maintenance.

Even though I live in an urban area, I setup my PV system in the grid-tie 
battery backup configuration. I have always used LP for fuel instead of natural 
gas because of some issues we've had with natural gas reliability here in north 
Texas under extreme winter weather conditions (last one here was in 
mid-February).

I use my EcoGen only as a battery charger in a grid-down situation, it does not 
serve house loads directly. I'll admit that most of the hours on my generator 
are the bi-weekly exercise runs!

I started with the 6kW 240V AC EcoGen as a field trial participant in Generac's 
beta testing of the EcoGen in an off-grid environment in 2010. Later I upgraded 
to the 15kW kW 240V AC model. I very pleased with this model too.

So, consider Generac as an option too.

Regards, Gary


On Sat, 16 Oct 2021 20:32:35 -0600, Allan Sindelar  
wrote:
 
Mac, I appreciate your suggestion, thank you. Indeed, I called a longtime 
regional independent generator dealer about this before posting here. I was 
surprised that he has Kohler 12s and 14s in stock and available. I’ll go that 
route if I don’t hear better from our fellow Wrenches. 

Allan

 
On Oct 16, 2021, at 7:29 PM, Mac Lewis  wrote:





Hi Allan,

I suggest finding a local long-standing generator technician and see if they 
can help provide the generator.  We see so many generators bought online with 
no way to get service because there are no local and qualified service 
technicians to service that brand.  If you buy from a local technician, or at 
least ask for their advise, it may allow you to get service in the future 
(maybe). 

 

We have had good success with Kohler 14 RESA or RCA machines, they do have off 
grid warranties, but good luck getting them now. 

 

Let us know what you decide.

Thanks
 

On Fri, Oct 15, 2021, 4:42 PM MD Electric & Solar  
wrote:



Check out Wildcat Generators, hand built in Kansas.

I just placed my first order for one. 10KW LPG 1800RPM liquid cooled, built to 
run 24/7. They even make a DC (battery direct) generator.

You can purchase through a master dealer in the Reno Nevada area, Freds 
Mountain Electric:

https://fredsmountain.com/

https://wildcatpowergen.com/

 


On Fri, Oct 15, 2021 at 3:37 PM Sindelar Solar  wrote:


Wrenches,
Generators have become a moving target, especially for off grid applications. 
Most are set up for grid backup, and I'm assuming that many may simply be 
unavailable, given that half of most everything else is on back-order with no 
expected delivery date... I'm seldom asked to recommend a generator these days, 
but I am today, so I'm requesting recommendations from other off grid-savvy 
Wrenches, please.

I'm working with an older (2014?) existing dual Outback VFX3524 system which 
will be upgraded to dual VFXR-3648s to work with a 16kW Blue Ion LiFP battery 
bank; 4kW array with upgrade infrastructure in place to later add 2kW more if 
needed. Once the upgrade is done I expect relatively little generator runtime. 
The customer would prefer LP fuel and 2-wire start (for remote control). Pretty 
much any well-regarded model in the 8-14 kW @240 VAC rating range could work.

Thank you for your suggestions!
Allan
--

Allan Sindelar
al...@sindelarsolar.com
NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional
New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician
Founder (Retired), Positive Energy, Inc.
505 780-2738 cell





--













Michael D Nelson


MD Electric & Solar Inc.

Office: 707-884-1862

Cell: 707-684-0064


www.mdelectricsolar.com

www.facebook.com/mdelectricandsolar












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Re: [RE-wrenches] Generator recommendation request

[Allan Sindelar]

Mac, I appreciate your suggestion, thank you. Indeed, I called a longtime 
regional independent generator dealer about this before posting here. I was 
surprised that he has Kohler 12s and 14s in stock and available. I’ll go that 
route if I don’t hear better from our fellow Wrenches. 
Allan

> On Oct 16, 2021, at 7:29 PM, Mac Lewis  wrote:
> 
> Hi Allan,
> I suggest finding a local long-standing generator technician and see if they 
> can help provide the generator.  We see so many generators bought online with 
> no way to get service because there are no local and qualified service 
> technicians to service that brand.  If you buy from a local technician, or at 
> least ask for their advise, it may allow you to get service in the future 
> (maybe). 
> 
> We have had good success with Kohler 14 RESA or RCA machines, they do have 
> off grid warranties, but good luck getting them now. 
> 
> Let us know what you decide.
> Thanks
> 
>> On Fri, Oct 15, 2021, 4:42 PM MD Electric & Solar 
>>  wrote:
>> Check out Wildcat Generators, hand built in Kansas.
>> I just placed my first order for one. 10KW LPG 1800RPM liquid cooled, built 
>> to run 24/7. They even make a DC (battery direct) generator.
>> You can purchase through a master dealer in the Reno Nevada area, Freds 
>> Mountain Electric:
>> https://fredsmountain.com/
>> https://wildcatpowergen.com/
>> 
>>> On Fri, Oct 15, 2021 at 3:37 PM Sindelar Solar  
>>> wrote:
>>> Wrenches,
>>> Generators have become a moving target, especially for off grid 
>>> applications. Most are set up for grid backup, and I'm assuming that many 
>>> may simply be unavailable, given that half of most everything else is on 
>>> back-order with no expected delivery date... I'm seldom asked to recommend 
>>> a generator these days, but I am today, so I'm requesting recommendations 
>>> from other off grid-savvy Wrenches, please.
>>> 
>>> I'm working with an older (2014?) existing dual Outback VFX3524 system 
>>> which will be upgraded to dual VFXR-3648s to work with a 16kW Blue Ion LiFP 
>>> battery bank; 4kW array with upgrade infrastructure in place to later add 
>>> 2kW more if needed. Once the upgrade is done I expect relatively little 
>>> generator runtime. The customer would prefer LP fuel and 2-wire start (for 
>>> remote control). Pretty much any well-regarded model in the 8-14 kW @240 
>>> VAC rating range could work.
>>> 
>>> Thank you for your suggestions!
>>> Allan
>>> -- 
>>> Allan Sindelar
>>> al...@sindelarsolar.com
>>> NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional
>>> New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician
>>> Founder (Retired), Positive Energy, Inc.
>>> 505 780-2738 cell
>>> 
>> -- 
>> Michael D Nelson
>> MD Electric & Solar Inc.
>> Office: 707-884-1862
>> Cell: 707-684-0064
>> www.mdelectricsolar.com
>> www.facebook.com/mdelectricandsolar
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Generator recommendation request

[Mac Lewis]

Hi Allan,

I suggest finding a local long-standing generator technician and see if
they can help provide the generator.  We see so many generators bought
online with no way to get service because there are no local and qualified
service technicians to service that brand.  If you buy from a local
technician, or at least ask for their advise, it may allow you to get
service in the future (maybe).

We have had good success with Kohler 14 RESA or RCA machines, they do have
off grid warranties, but good luck getting them now.

Let us know what you decide.

Thanks

On Fri, Oct 15, 2021, 4:42 PM MD Electric & Solar 
wrote:

> Check out Wildcat Generators, hand built in Kansas.
> I just placed my first order for one. 10KW LPG 1800RPM liquid cooled,
> built to run 24/7. They even make a DC (battery direct) generator.
> You can purchase through a master dealer in the Reno Nevada area, Freds
> Mountain Electric:
>
> https://fredsmountain.com/
>
> https://wildcatpowergen.com/
>
>
> On Fri, Oct 15, 2021 at 3:37 PM Sindelar Solar 
> wrote:
>
>> Wrenches,
>> Generators have become a moving target, especially for off grid
>> applications. Most are set up for grid backup, and I'm assuming that many
>> may simply be unavailable, given that half of most everything else is on
>> back-order with no expected delivery date... I'm seldom asked to recommend
>> a generator these days, but I am today, so I'm requesting recommendations
>> from other off grid-savvy Wrenches, please.
>>
>> I'm working with an older (2014?) existing dual Outback VFX3524 system
>> which will be upgraded to dual VFXR-3648s to work with a 16kW Blue Ion LiFP
>> battery bank; 4kW array with upgrade infrastructure in place to later add
>> 2kW more if needed. Once the upgrade is done I expect relatively little
>> generator runtime. The customer would prefer LP fuel and 2-wire start (for
>> remote control). Pretty much any well-regarded model in the 8-14 kW @240
>> VAC rating range could work.
>>
>> Thank you for your suggestions!
>> Allan
>> --
>>
>> *Allan Sindelar*
>> al...@sindelarsolar.com
>> NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional
>> New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician
>> Founder (Retired), Positive Energy, Inc.
>> *505 780-2738 cell*
>>
>>
>> ___
>> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance
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>>
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>>
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>>
>
> --
> Michael D Nelson
> MD Electric & Solar Inc.
> Office: 707-884-1862
> Cell: 707-684-0064
> www.mdelectricsolar.com
> www.facebook.com/mdelectricandsolar
>
>
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Generator recommendation request

[MD Electric & Solar]

Check out Wildcat Generators, hand built in Kansas.
I just placed my first order for one. 10KW LPG 1800RPM liquid cooled, built
to run 24/7. They even make a DC (battery direct) generator.
You can purchase through a master dealer in the Reno Nevada area, Freds
Mountain Electric:

https://fredsmountain.com/

https://wildcatpowergen.com/


On Fri, Oct 15, 2021 at 3:37 PM Sindelar Solar 
wrote:

> Wrenches,
> Generators have become a moving target, especially for off grid
> applications. Most are set up for grid backup, and I'm assuming that many
> may simply be unavailable, given that half of most everything else is on
> back-order with no expected delivery date... I'm seldom asked to recommend
> a generator these days, but I am today, so I'm requesting recommendations
> from other off grid-savvy Wrenches, please.
>
> I'm working with an older (2014?) existing dual Outback VFX3524 system
> which will be upgraded to dual VFXR-3648s to work with a 16kW Blue Ion LiFP
> battery bank; 4kW array with upgrade infrastructure in place to later add
> 2kW more if needed. Once the upgrade is done I expect relatively little
> generator runtime. The customer would prefer LP fuel and 2-wire start (for
> remote control). Pretty much any well-regarded model in the 8-14 kW @240
> VAC rating range could work.
>
> Thank you for your suggestions!
> Allan
> --
>
> *Allan Sindelar*
> al...@sindelarsolar.com
> NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional
> New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician
> Founder (Retired), Positive Energy, Inc.
> *505 780-2738 cell*
>
>
> ___
> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance
>
> Pay optional member dues here: http://re-wrenches.org
>
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>
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>

-- 
Michael D Nelson
MD Electric & Solar Inc.
Office: 707-884-1862
Cell: 707-684-0064
www.mdelectricsolar.com
www.facebook.com/mdelectricandsolar
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