Bread/Milk Alert. Storm of the century tonight!

[BleedinRed]

My neighborhood has a lot of whole home gens so I got a lot of opinions before buying. Generac and Kohler make up the vast majority of units installed here. Neither brand got any owner complaints in terms of reliability or longevity but I did hear several complaints about the Kohler service/maintenance. In fairness, that's likely a local dealership problem.

I was just reading that the issue with Kohler is availability of service companies.  That seem to be very spotty.  

[BleedinRed]

My sister lives in Cypress area. After the winter fuck up of the grid a couple years ago they put in a generator. This is the second time they've used it and to her it's been worth it's weight in gold. They're currently without power and sitting in the A/C.

My problem is I only have a few years left here.  I really don't want to put more money into the house.  With that said, I have a huge gap between the appreciated value and what I paid for the house so I would get the money back when I sell.  Maybe I'll just do it.

We were without power for 5 days during that winter storm.  I don't think I've ever been that miserable.  Waking up to 40 degrees inside was quite the experience.

Houston sucks.

[jdcatty]

it was like this pre pandemic at certain locations now it's growing. Never saw it at say west memphis Walmart but out here in low income areas where most of the Walmarts are in burbs they have had them for a while. I have no idea why Walmart keeps putting their stores in the ghetto parts of the burbs here and not in nicer parts like Target does

well, then there is California:

https://x.com/KelliKayK/status/1811032571100197031

[Lurk]

What brand?  Assume it is Generac.  They seem to be the go-to

I've got a Kohler, no complaints. Run two freezers, three refrigerators, the shop and house. It will rev up when something kicks on, but never has bogged down.

[Italian Porn]

Lots of folks here with home generators.  3 people on my street stayed for Laura, including my 94 y/o widowed neighbor directly across the street.  All of them had air cooled Generacs.  All 3 died within 48hours, one guy ran to Lafayette and was able to find the part needed to get his up and running.  I don't know how well they were maintained before the hurricane, but they were all put in sometime after Rita in 2005.  Guy around the corner has a big Cummins or Onan watercooled unit, no issues. 

I've elected not to install one on this house, but will consider it on my next home.  The next time I evacuate I'm not coming back.  Its been 4 years since Laura and its still a mess here.   

[BleedinRed]

I was told that Generac has stopped or is stopping their liquid cooled generators as people are too cheap to buy them.  I've done zero.zero to verify that as a fact.  But, apparently the liquid cooled is much better than the air cooled.

In 2-3 years I'm leaving here an never ever ever under any circumstance coming back.  Ever.

[Italian Porn]

I think the issue with Generac, or most air cooled generators, is they aren't really made to run nonstop for 2-3 weeks at a time.  Probably be perfectly fine for the average power outages due to thunderstorms or whatever.  But running 24 hours a day in a 95+, high humidity environment that follows a hurricane is a big ask.  The people who had good luck with their generator shut it off for several hours every day, and changed the oil daily.  The installers will sign you up for a routine maintainence plan and service it once or twice a year, but they aren't around to do that after a hurricane.  I don't think my elderly neighbor could get the cover off hers, much less change the oil.  The water cooled units are significantly more reliable, but you pay for it in higher initial and maintainence costs.

Feel the same way.  Next hurricane or age 60(53 currently), I'm gone. 

[DRYANKNPULL]

The first one I ever had was a Kohler that I installed new. It worked flawlessly for the decade I lived there, even running for nearly a week once. I have a much smaller house with a much smaller Generac. It's been very inconsistent. If I didn't also have a big gas powered generator as a back up, I'd be swapping in a new Kohler.

[Lurk]

The first one I ever had was a Kohler that I installed new. It worked flawlessly for the decade I lived there, even running for nearly a week once. I have a much smaller house with a much smaller Generac. It's been very inconsistent. If I didn't also have a big gas powered generator as a back up, I'd be swapping in a new Kohler.

We were out for 5 days with no problem.

[hit_that_line]

We were out for 5 days with no problem.

A small trailer doesn't need much juice.

[DRYANKNPULL]

A small trailer doesn't need much juice.

You are an epic fucktard and you add nothing to any conversation on the whole site. Go fuck yourself.

[hit_that_line]

You are an epic fucktard and you add nothing to any conversation on the whole site. Go fuck yourself.

Wasn't referring to you, but I add plenty. For instance, just listed how to wire a new build to allow for a much smaller generator.

[The Reverend SnoopHogg]

My rain gauge topped out at 5", not sure how much we actually got (WLR).

This goes to show how incredibly localized this rain was.  I live 6 minutes from the Promenade and I got 1.75" exactly.  Friends west of me close to paron topped out over 5".

[The Reverend SnoopHogg]

Wasn't referring to you, but I add plenty. For instance, just listed how to wire a new build to allow for a much smaller generator.

Anyone listening to you for advice on wiring better have good insurance.

[hit_that_line]

Why would I do that myself?

[Thin Red Swine]

Anyone listening to you for advice on wiring better have good insurance.

Wiring is always fluid.

[BleedinRed]

I had the house wired for a generator when it was built.  I just need to pull the trigger.  I e got some research to do it looks like.  

[The Reverend SnoopHogg]

I had the house wired for a generator when it was built.  I just need to pull the trigger.  I e got some research to do it looks like. 

If you planned ahead, it won't be complicated at all.

[BleedinRed]

The pad and wiring are next to the electrical panel and the gas meter.  Super simple.  

[The Reverend SnoopHogg]

The pad and wiring are next to the electrical panel and the gas meter.  Super simple. 

You did good.

It's so much cheaper and easier to do this on the front end even if you aren't able to install the genset imeadistly.

Smart move.👍