How Long Does a Home Standby Generator Last | Adam Meets Brian After 18 Years!
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- Опубликовано: 23 окт 2024
- Join us as Adam, President of Platinum Electrical Contractors Inc., revisits Platinum's very first Generac generator installation from 2005. In this special video, Adam meets with Brian, their very first home generator customer, to inspect the generator installed nearly two decades ago. Thanks to Generac's high-quality production, Platinum's exceptional installation, and perfect yearly maintenance, this generator is still working perfectly with no issues.
Adam answers the big question: How long does a generator last?
He also talks about the importance of home standby generators for continuous power.
We then hear his insights into the durability and reliability of Generac generators and also a glimpse into Platinum's commitment to customer satisfaction and high standards of workmanship.
generatorexper...
Contact: 1-844-443-6776
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Since 1991, Platinum Electrical Contractors Inc. has been serving commercial, industrial, institutional, and residential clients in the Greater Toronto Area. Known for outstanding service and unparalleled customer satisfaction, we take pride in maintaining the highest standards of workmanship and safety. From new construction projects and renovations to standby generator installations, fire alarm systems, data and communications wiring, and alternative power (wind generators and solar) options, we are dedicated to providing simplified solutions for a large range of electrical construction project challenges. Our team of experts has been providing comprehensive services, on-time and on-budget for more than 25 years.
We had a generac generator installed in 1999 and it still works perfectly today 2024 all we did was normal maintenance. It's saved us many times we had some storms that we were out of power for 5 days and it ran perfectly all five days.
Great to hear your positive experience. Maintenance is key
Got a 15k Generac in 2005 - still starts up every week and runs well. Been through many, many hurricanes and storms. Getting a new 22k this month mainly due to the amount of rust mine has collected over 20 years - live 4 miles from beach in Florida. Will definitely be repeating with a Generac!
almost 25 years as a Generac tech (retired now) and life span is hard to figure because of so many variables. The early ones (pre Y2K) would run to 1500 hours if maintained, but quite often gave up the ghost due to rust or a tree falling. (squashed) Later ones will render more run hours, starting with units after about 2010. (chrome rings?) They claim well over 2500 hours is possible. I have never personally seen an air-cooled unit with over about 1400 hours on the clock. Most have not died due to run hours but suffered some issue where the customer decided cost to repair was out in left field at whatever age it reached.... lightning strike, large tree falling, etc. Many of these are in the 500 hour range, so maybe 50 hours a year and pressing 20 years old. We've been around long enough that replacement of older units is near 25% of our business... and we did the original as well. Liquid cooled units are another animal, and run hours mean almost nothing there unless it's a 3600 RPM set.
I have two of the same model. Installed in 2001 and 2003. Both have around 500 hours. Still running strong. Except for batterys (every 3 years) ,normal service (yearly) only thing replaced has been a starter (caused by weak battery) and one gas valve diaphragm. Mine do have hour meters.
@jjackson2612 Glad to hear your positive experience
Had a Generac 24kw installed down here in Louisiana last September. Hurricane Beryl just caused a mess and electricity was down for three days....not for me though. I was able to run everything in my home without issue including 2AC units, and continue working remotely and make sure my elderly father was taken care of during 100 degree temps. You don't realize how valuable these things are till they kick on in an outage.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We're so glad to hear that your Generac 24kW generator kept you and your family safe and comfortable during Hurricane Beryl. It's amazing how much of a difference these generators can make, especially in tough situations like that. We're happy you were able to keep everything running smoothly, including taking care of your father and staying cool. If you ever need any help or have questions, feel free to reach out. Stay safe and powered up! 😊🔋🏡 #Generac #PoweringPeaceOfMind
I was impressed when my unit--identical to the one in this video--stopped because oil got low, thereby protecting it from damage.
Back when generac was built great. Love the metal enclosure as well. Built much better than todays generacs. Very simple unit.
YEP , so many of the parts now are sourced FROM China a person had better get a COMPLETE parts manual listing EVERY part & them illustrated, I'd suggest them talking to different dealers / installers to find out the top 5 or 10 parts that FAIL & go ahead & buy them ALSO with a new purchase, so many MFG's discontinue some of the NECESSARY parts to upkeep such.
Appreciate the comment. Steel is more robust than aluminum. However, We haven't really seen any detriment to the all-aluminum enclosure. Definitely weathers better!
Those units sucked, all kinds of problems and loud as blazes. Also this one was not installed to code, blowing exhaust right into the house.
@@REVNUMANEWBERN the current lineup is using a proprietary engine developed and made in the USA by Generac. we are finding good performance and reliability. as with any mass produced items there are issues that have come up from time to time but they get resolved. If parts accessibility is a concern there is no better option than Generac for an Air cooled unit. Generac has more service dealers than any of the other brands by a significant margin.
@@nspro931 I have reviewed the installation. what exact regulation are you suggesting it is non compliant with?
We had a 2007 water cooled 22KW natural gas Generac generator at our house in Gulf Breeze. I was very picky about 2x year service and it was money well spent. Hurricane Sally hits us and boom generator kicks in, AC on. It didn't look as nice as yours cause it was there when we bought the house but agree, take care of it and she'll last a long time. Thanks for the video.
@jimedds We are seeing a common theme. Those that believe in maintenance get a good service life and performance from their equipment
Go Platinum Go!
I saw just saw this video pop up. I have the same generator over 20 years old now. I do my own yearly service.
As easy as a lawn mower to do.
@paddleinc We agree!
I see a few comments about using a diesel fueled generator and my concern would be needing to cycling out fuel so it doesn't grow algae or go bad .
I bought my first generator in 1988 from a preacher who had it several years. He bought it from a guy who took it off a power company truck that he bought at an auction. So, it was about 10 to 15 years old when I got it. It was a Kohler 2,200 watt, with a Brigs and Stratton 3.5hp gas motor. When I sold it around 2005 it was still running strong and I used it for construction work constantly. I needed a bigger one that would also run my home AC, because I had moved down to the coast, so I bought a used 4,000 watt Coleman with a 6.5hp Briggs and Stratton from a pawn shop. I also used it in construction and also after Hurricane Ike hit us. I used it regularly until I retired and moved inland. Now it sits in my shed, still ready to start on the first pull, as it always did. My "secret" for long lasting generators is to shut the gas off and run it until the gas line and carb were empty, when I didn't plan to use it for several days. During longer periods I'd also drain the gas tank. I changed the oil regularly and other than buying a cover for it, that's all I did. Oh, I did "splurge" and buy a wheel kit for it after a few years of dragging it around job sites. It was getting too heavy to drag on skids.
Wow, what an incredible journey your generators have had! It's amazing to hear how long-lasting and reliable they've been for you, from construction work to weathering hurricanes. Your maintenance tips are great, regular oil changes, and proper storage really make a difference. Sounds like those generators served you well through thick and thin! Thank you for sharing your story and the great advice. If you ever need any help or are considering another upgrade, we're here for you. 💪🔧🌟
Kohler is the best generator i think.
AND if you get a Motor Snorkel propane conversion kit you won't have to worry about the gas issue, BTW B&S has and continues to DISCONTINUE key parts of their engines, hopes yours run as you need
@@seangriffon6502 DEPENDS on who actually builds the engine
@@REVNUMANEWBERN The generator doesn't have many hours on it, so it should last. Even if new parts get hard to find, B&S made hundreds of thousands of them, so used parts are everywhere!
My dads 4kW Generac was bought new in 1984 for over 500 bucks. It is a portable unit with a 8 Hp tecumseh air cooled engine. I used it after Katrina for 12 days buy just a few hours a day untilbi rigged it to Natural gas. Then ran it longer..
That engine generator went under salt water in Katrina. I had to remove the fuel bowl to get the water out. Then since I was waterlogged due to the Flooding i got a good shock testing its plug and wire. Lol
Anyway a year later the fuel bowl had micro holes in it due to salt. So put a new aluminum bowl on it
I finally got a new carburetor since salt in the 1984 carb still leached into the bowl and ruined them
It still works today.
When a neighbor was having his Generac installed in 2007 the installer told me my 4kw unit was never made by Generac
He got pissed off when i showed him the 1984 brochure in color showing my Generac generator.
Then he said it was the Niagara series so not really a Generac.
So the patent plate says Generac lol
Generac made Sears Craftsman generator 50 years ago.
I have a 2kW Sears Craftsman unit from 1972 that is made by Generac. Has the smaller Tecumseh engine.
Purchased 18 years ago it SHOULD still work when the actual hours it has been used is very limited
Bought my generator in 2005 it been service by a license technician was having trouble with it for three years and finally the piston rod came through casing not impressed to find out I can not get parts I contact Generac for a new motor. They gave me service people and they told me it wasn’t worth it to fix so disappointed that we are in the age that we don’t fix
@lukeproulx9138 so sorry to hear of your experience. I dont see any reason a good service dealer would have issue getting parts for a 2005 model. and should have some used inexpensive parts around too. where are you located?
I bought a new Generac 18 kW unit early this year (2024). After the first battery failed, the control module was replaced by the dealer. That module did not work at all. A third control module was installed with another new battery. The third module seems to be keeping the battery up, and the unit actually started during a short line interruption. The Generac Mobile Link app on my phone still says the battery is not being properly charged, but every day when I measure the battery voltage it is good. The Mobile Link software seems to now be the culprit. So I have no way to monitor the health of the unit remotely. That is not very user friendly. Generac support insisted on schooling me in the art of using a voltmeter, and helped me to understand how a battery charger works.
I just bought one this week and it's still looks the same as that 18-year-old
BUT it is NOT the same, good luck
In general we suppose. However, the new units have a more sophisticated control panel, an all-aluminum enclosure and a new engine plus other improvements.
What they don't tell us is how many hours of run time is on the unit.
YEP having worked AT a small engine mfg plant they are only tested & designed to last so long, having them run just a few hours a month or year is one thing, but running as a mower would on a weekly basis is another
Unfortunately, the older units did not come with an hour meter. So we cannot verify the run time. What we can offer is that this customer has emailed us countless times over the years thanking us for the installation as it just performed again
we can also say that in that time there have been multiple multi-day outages that the unit has handled.
In addition to the above the unit would have exercised weekly for all these years adding approximately 180-200 hours of exercise time as well
So while we can't verify the exact hours. we do believe there is a respectable amount of run time on the unit. And the unit is in fine working condition
They were not proud enough of these to install an hour meter, that tells us something.
@@nspro931 lack of an hour meter was a cost cutting measure shortly after Y2k. ($10 is $10, right?) Their air-cooled units had a meter going back into the 80s and they brought it back on the smaller sets when they went to a digital display.
@@nspro931 No, on that variety the hour meter was optional. They only became standard when EPA requirements dictated a running time meter-thank California for that. If it weren't for that, probably still wouldn't have an hour meter.
Big old diesel with a 8 pole alternator. Will last forever with a little maintenance.
@cmfrancis1 we agree but a diesel solution is 3 times the price and has fueling drawbacks as well compared to direct plumbing into NG system
A little bit longer than 3 minutes convert from NG to propane....
It is great when it works but if it is not starting and the service man simply dos not show-up or answer the phone, it becomes a nightmare. There should be a hot line with Generac in cases when service tech are no more in business or no more interested in servicing Generac.
When a General Contractor tells you that he had 15 Generac installed in different houses and he cannot😢 have access himself to servicing, this is real bad. 😢
@rhamel1717 sorry for this experience. find yourself a good reputable service dealer and none of that will be an issue. what area are you in?
@@PlatinumGens
Thanks for this reply,
I am in the Magog area, QC, Canada.
Have a nice day,
Genarac generators are horrible. Problems with mine several times, then the generator side went bad and they want 6,000 dollars to fix it, we only paid 4,000 dollars from homedepot. 12kw genarator was a waste of money.
Our power is out a hurricane just tore thru. We can’t figure out how to work ours.
Sorry for your troubles. Lesson here is don't wait until you need it to try and understand how to work it.
18 years ago quality ISN'T what it is today & with so many of the parts supplied from OUTSIDE of the U.S.A. if a part goes down you better HOPE they have a part local & it DOESN'T have to be shipped in
Years mean nothing. How many Hours will it last, is what matters. How many hours on it? 500? 700? 1000?
Thats what matters.
ABSOLUTELY and here is the "deception" by >>> INCOMPLETE
In addition to the answer to one of the comments on this post, our educated guess is somewhere between 500 and 1000 hours and still going strong
@@PlatinumGens About 20 years ago we started adding hour meters to all of our units in the field. As I recall, B&S made an inexpensive one ($10 our cost back then) and installation was a wire wrapped around the sparkplug wire plus a ground connection. Now we could track run time for everyone and record it on the service sticker, which is good to know for plugs and valve adjustment service.
Of course this one is 20 years old and they don’t build them like they used, so maybe only 5 years…
Yes, many things in this life are not made like they used to be! We quite agree
However, we have at least 2000 units out there that exceed 5 years of age and show no signs of expiring any time soon.
Diesel generator would last longer with a 275 gallon tank.
kohler engines last the longest.
Yes, Had 2 of them,14KW and 20KW for 13 years, not a peep out of them with regular maintenance. They do eat batteries though. Not a good charging system on any of them.
@@stbentoak5047 What do you mean, "eat batteries"?
@@bobbygene8274 i couldn't get a battery to last more than 2 -3 years in one, no matter what. These were sealed quality AC Delco batteries. I always bought batteries that had three-year replacement warranties and lo and behold about every 34 months I took it in, and they handed me a new one for about 10 years straight.
I've had my Generac since 2005. I had to replace it once about 5 years ago. I've already had to repair it twice! Generac has declined significantly in their quality-control. My next generator will be a Cummings.
Cummins pure Chinese now