This video is just a paper comparison. What the internet needs is a real electrician who's worked with both and which one they would put in their house, an honest opinion without trying to milk affiliate marketing.
From experience, the worst people to talk to, in general, are gas installers and the electricians. Find a generator tech, and talk to them-they work on all of them-some more than others....
Where do I start. There is so much wrong with this video. I've seen comments with the RPM discrepancy. They do both run at 3600 RPM. The STARTING wattage of these units is not 20,000 and 22,000. That is their nominal running wattages. Kohlers advertise their STARTING wattage, which in this case is in excess of 40,000 KVa for the 20KW. Generacs do not advertise their STARTING wattages. There is a reason. This is important in selecting a generator if you want it to start large motor loads, such as large central air conditioning units. It does mention that the Kohler is heavier. This is true. Most of that weight difference is in the rotating mass of the generator. The higher the rotating mass, the more inertia it has, which will counteract any large load trying to screech that generator to a halt when it is applied. Generac is the top market share because they spend enormous amount of money on advertising. I wonder how much money they spend on their generators? Generac also mentions in their promotional material that they manufacture engines specifically for their generators. All I understand when I read that, is that nobody else wants their engines for their power equipment. Kohler Engines have a huge following from multiple manufacturers. Kohler engines (in their horizontal air-cooled generators) have hydraulic lifters, while Generacs have solid, that require periodic valve adjustments. I'll let you figure out how many generators I visit that won't run because the valves are out of adjustment. I will tell you, the valves are out of adjustment because electricians think they are servicing the unit by changing the oil. This is why it is important to have a very well versed generator tech work on your unit. There are some electricians that do ok, but most leave a lot to be desired. Generator quality in my opinion of the four top market share manufacturers is as follows from best to worst. Kohler Cummins (a very close second) Briggs and Stratton Generac Yes, all generators have their issues. No you will not change my mind.
I have a Briggs 20 kw and have nothing but good things to say about it. I to looked at the other 2 you listed above the B&S as front runner candidates. Biggest reason I got what I have is the company that installed and preforms service is right down the road and a friend works there. They primarily do industrial electric motor work from winding stators and rotors. I think they know a thing or too about the generator side and with the other side of the shop doing generator service and sales I feel good about my purchase. I can do valve adjusting when the time comes too, I prefer to do all the service my self except what the warranty covers til it expires. But I agree with the 3 top ones you listed as great brands, I might throw champion in there too, I’ve heard they make a good smaller unit.
I'm glad I came across your comment here, I'm looking to install a backup gen this summer and was thinking Generac was better than Kohler since I hear about Generac all the time due to their advertising. With your insight and more research on my end, you've saved me from making a huge mistake buying a Generac and I'll now be going with the Kohler!
They are oil injected and do not require oil changes as they are a 2 stroke with dry sump. i use amsoil interceptor 2T in my natural gas 2 stroke 22 kw and she purs at only 1800 rpms which is half the speed of a 4 stroke joke! Amsoil interceptor burn very clean in a natural gas 2 stroke!
That's hilarious! Market Market Market...my toyota is 20 years old now and still putzing down the roadways. Holding on to it for dear life. These newer cars and trucks to me are mass-produced trash.
I have a 30 KW Kohler. It runs at 1800 RPM's its quiet and reliable. It ran for 10 days straight after Ian. I only shut it down to check the oil and for an oil change. Living in Florida I like the liquid cool generators better than the air cool ones.
Liquid cooled sounds great, only issue is how does the system work in -20 degree temperatures or more? I understand it has antifreeze in the system but the Generac has no issues with it being cold.
@@Balticblue93 At my business in NJ we have a 60 KW Kohler. The coldest It ever started was around 0 to 5 above. It has a heater that circulates the antifreeze in the Block. -20 where your at is VERY cold. At that temperature even Battery's must be an issue.
Ive been a generator mechanic for 35 years now. I've had more problems with the generacs then any other brand. Notice they leave Cummins Onan out of this comparison. 9 times out of 10 i find water in the oil when i service the generac air cooled units. Why? Because they only run 12 mins on exercise each week. Not long enough to get hot enough to get rid of moister and with the short run time they actually pull moister out of humod air! Generac's answer? Not to change the run time (cant be done in the field) but to tell your customers to run it once a month, under load, fir an hour!
At 2:49, you mentioned that the Generac turns at 1800 RPM. This is not true for any Air Cooled Home standby! The Generac utilizes a 2-pole rotor and therefore it must turn at 3600 RPM to produce 60Hz, which is the North American standard. Only the Protector Series (liquid cooled) has a 4-pole rotor which spins at 1800 RPM.
I have owned a product of each manufacturer and currently have a Generac 24kw system on my farm. Both are good, but if you have one you must maintain it. Just changing the oil is not enough. Yesterday, I had the technician that installed my system do the annual service, that was not only an oil change, but a full diagnostic to ensure peak performance. Well worth the cost.
Good stuff...I purchased my 24KW Generac this summer. I have signed up for a company to do 1 or 2 check ups a year....I haven't had my 1st inspection.....when my 1st inspection happens what all should be done exactly besides checking/changing the oil??
@@coreypatterson1386 The technician will run check the system to insure your output is correct. If not he will adjust the output. I have had a technician service my equipment for 20 years with no problems
You are the luckiest guy ever! From my experience (40 years of generator experience as a generator technician) 🙂 most Gen-A-Crap customers aren't so lucky!!!!
That guy has absolutely no Idea what he is talking about. First of all he is stating the starting watts at both units normal running watts. Kohler 20RESC or 20RCA are 20,000 watts continuous and 41,000 watts starting which is 210% starting capacity. Generac 7043 or 22kw Air cooled is 22,000 watts continuous and 33,000 watts starting which is 150% starting capacity. Further as many years as I have been installing generators all Air cooled generators run at 3600 RPMs. This is because of using a 2 pole vs 4 pole rotor. They are less expensive and allow for a smaller engine to run higher rpm to produce HP needed to make wattage. Third of all they are talking about the pricing of a Generac without ATS versus a 20RCA(L) Kohler that comes with an $800 Service Rated 200amp ats. Generac Switch of similar design is around $700. Kohler is more expensive by a few hundred even if you don’t get the same running watts but wait till you try to turn on a 5 ton A/C or 2 or 3 on the same generator. Hands down Kohler will win that battle every time. I am a dealer for both brands. Yes Generac advertises and holds a bigger market share in Residential products. But thats only because people prefer what they see more often than doing the research. This guy needs to read some more into the spec sheets before comparing. If you want to know more feel free to visit our site at Star-Generation.com you can find out how to contact us there.
This was the best comment on this post; when I checked your website, I determined you were well qualified. My disappointment was that you are not located in the Space Coast area; nonetheless, thanks for posting.
02:50 Incorrect on the Generac RPM. All of these air-cooled engines run at 3600 RPM, either Generac or Kohler. You don't get into the 1800 RPM engines until you get to the larger, liquid-cooled engine models.
I've seen in past videos that the Generac has a design flaw. The air filter box has a drain port for moisture build up. In sub freezing temps. this drain hole clogs up with ice and pressure builds up and blows oil all over the interior of the cabinet and making the engine oil level low. Now, I don't know if this flaw was ever fixed, but ,to me that could cause problems.
One more minor detail regarding quality of build...anyone who has a generac go to it and see how much unbalanced load the alternator will support during operation. There is a decal that will tell you that the maximum unbalanced load is 50% of rating. Go to a Kohler air cooled, and look at the same sticker-it will say maximum unbalanced loads allowed is 100%. Think about that one.
We have used the ua-cam.com/users/postUgkxOTeIs0vv4_9B5hsmnLsk9r930uDQLu_Y for probably 30 hours with our camper and it’s been great! The noise level is really only noticeable when running the AC and other appliances like the microwave, hair dryer, or coffee pot. It’s not huge like other ones and it has wheels so even at 90lbs, I can move it!
Given the reason most consumers buy a Home Generator is for emergency use your criteria for deciding which one is best is flawed. Reliability, installation cost, maintenance cost, and service availability are all more important than cost per kilowatt hour given most of these generators will be operated for a few days or less. Of course, if you are using the generator in an off-grid application or experience frequent long-term power outages the kilowatt hour criteria may be a consideration but still does not trump reliability or the other costs involved in installing and maintaining the generator.
I would never own another Generac house generator. Bought one almost twenty years ago and had nothing but trouble with it. Came with several broken teeth in the flywheel right out of the box. Hard time getting warranty service too. Never again. I gave it away to a guy that I have do work for me. I replaced it with a 10KW multifuel one I bought on line five years ago. Runs on gas, or LP. I have to start it myself, and that's even better for me. No problems at all. My neighbor bought a Generac and had the dealer install it probably ten years ago and their out here having to work on it several times a year. Mine even has a hand start as a hack up in case the battery is low.
Everyone is talking just about the two Generators. They are both good Generators. The problem I have found being a Trouble Shooter for a large east coast Utility are the transfer switches. After an outage has been picked up we get calls from customers about the generator still running. All transfer switches I have found were Generac. I explained to the customer that they have full power at the meter. Since i am not allowed to mess with customer owned equipment I tell them to pull the cover off and they will find the electric plunger that operates the transfer switch is burned up. I have yet to find a Kohler switch burned up.
James, yes you are correct this is a common problem with Generac transfer switches. It has to do with the programming in the switch itself and has never been addressed by Generac. We install a small relay that does not allow the switch to transfer back to utility until the utility voltage is at least 210 volts (factory setting is approx. 180 VAC and non adjustable). If the power, when restored, is not high enough for the coil to pull the switch up to the utility position, the upper coil burns up
@Jennydog100 We keep tge main switch off so it doesn't feed to the pole n when power is restored it doesn't blow up the generator and all the breakers . Not really rocket science as we use a check list for power outages. Have had a generac for 23 years n works every time
I have a 22kw Generac and my biggest complaint is how loud it is. In your video you mention you can hold a conversation around it. Mine is not at all quiet enough to conversate around. If I could do it again I would go with a smaller, quieter unit.
I purchased a Generac 13kw unit in 2020 and it weathered the Texas freeze in 2021 for a solid week. Of course, knowledge about serving them is key and Generac generators are very easily self-serviceable.
We love our Kohler 14KW. We have had it for 12 years and have had several outages that were a week long and two that were 8 and 9 days. During the evening, night, and laid back times we turn the Kohler off and use a smaller 125V gas generator to save fuel cost. The larger propane generators go through a LOT of fuel. Our neighbor has a Generac, 10KW I think, and they are happy with theirs. Either one would be great. Also we don't use the automatic transfer feature even though it works flawlessly. If an outage occurs at night or when we're away it's just wasted fuel. I wouldn't get too technical when choosing. More important is longevity and service. Generators of this size are going to make noise and they're going be thirsty.
Kohler will go up to 120 percent of that rating. WHy dont you do a segment where you load bank both of them at the same time and see which one holds up. It WILL be the Kohler.
Our 20 kw generator is on the blink right now. The message panel says low oil pressure. Repair man has changed the switch twice plus the board and it still shuts down and gives the low oil pressure message. Could moisture in the oil be the problem? It’s very humid here in the South. The generator is almost 14 years old.
Pull the plug wires, remove the OPS, hold your thumb over the OPS port and turn the engine over, have a rag handy. If you get oil out of the port the problem lies elsewhere. If you get no oil out of the port, your oil pump took a crap. You can also pull the front valve cover and see if you have bits of white nylon on the underside of the cover. The oil pump gear is made of nylon and when the pump goes it is usually because the teeth are shearing off the oil pump gear. Use care when removing the valve cover, you don't want to damage the gasket unless you have a spare hanging around. If it turns out to be the oil pump it can be fixed, we do them in the field, also ask for your money back on the previously unsuccessful repairs.
Generac notoriously lies on their spec sheets. They've been sued multiple times. Ask dealers who work with both to give you their feedback. The joke in the industry is Generac is a marketing company that sells generators and Kohler is a generator company that doesn't know what marketing is. The quality and reliability, and warranty of Kohler is heads and tails above Generac.
Where does Cummins fit in this comparison? We have a Cummins and a Generac at my employer's office, and when I asked the service tech he recommended Cummins.
@@winstonelston5743 Cummins is a great product. Generally has a less dense dealer network so there may be some areas where you're in a blackout for real service needs. Typically priced higher than the competition for not a big leap in quality if any.
Are Batteries required? My only experience working with a backup power generator is, where an inverter runs off a battery string and the generator is there to keep the batteries charged. If no batteries are required, is there a risk of damage to all ac device in the home? Thanks
I work for a generac dealer and let me tell you, buy a Kohler. Generac has major manufacturing issues. 2 of the same unit can be made with the same exact model, same production date, same spec sheet - open it up; different parts with completely different part numbers making it very difficult to source parts.
Thank you for this comment. I live on the Gulf coast and we just had a derecho storm last week-was out of power for 5 days. Researching generators and a family friend recommended Kohler. Generac is what all of our neighbors have…glad to see honest insider information.
@@Quetzali19 I'm in Houston area too. My neighbor has a Kohler and is not happy with her service. My generac did have a problem during the storm but they are very attentive and fixed it quickly. So, perhaps Kohler is a better machine ( I don't know) but really research the service issue because that is very important too.
I bought a 14 kw Generac ten years ago and the stator, rotor and control panel ate themselves at 16 months. Generac had a one year warranty at the time and told me to GF myself.
One thing you forgot to mention the generac 22kw is on propane the same generator on natural gas is 19.5 kw. I have noticed a little condensation on the dipstick, so will start running for an hour once a month.
There is a reason why the electrical contractors I know call them gene-wrecks. Go with the Kohler and save yourself a lot of hassles and expensive repairs.
Pink energy went out of business due to crappy Generac products. Please research before you buy. I had a 20K Generac installed after hurricane Sandy. It never worked once when I needed it. The ATS froze and caught fire, almost burning down the house. Then the control board went bad. Never again.
You forgot to mention that Generac currently holds 82% of the North American market share for residential standby generator sales and they're the only manufacturer that regularly advertises on TV and radio to support dealer sales. 👍
I am not a Generac dealer, but I do own one. There are far more dealers and service providers in the Denver Metro area for the Generac. I was aware they held the market share but did not know it was 82%, which is more than the Apple iPhone and pretty amazing. I believe mine is a 27kW unit and has worked flawlessly with automatic transfer switch and solar panels. I have never tried a Kohler but I like their other products, so I wouldn't hesitate to use them, but I like the larger support group of businesses. But my dealer is responsive 24/7 by automatic connection. The system can dispatch them for repair or service automatically. If they lose contact, they call me directly and if I am not available, they come to my home to check the status of the system. Seems pretty good to me. Thankfully we do not lose power much though. I kind of wish it would drop out occasionally to really test it out.
That's because Kohler and Onan don't run TV ads. Did you know Generac's business statement is "quantity over quality" and there have been several law suits against generac?
This video is just a gloss over and really does not get into the important information. Generac is NOT a great product. It's good but has less quality, design and requires more professional servicing. The engine valve lifters are not hydraulic and need to be adjusted after a break-in period and again at 400 or so hours. It's louder and uses more fuel than the Kohler. The Kohler has better harmonic distortion specs protecting your electronic equipment. Kohler is a bit more money for very good reasons. Do your own research and see the true important facts. Who gives a crap on how much they weigh. It's not important.
I have a Generac 22kw generator that runs everything in my 2200 sq ft house. I can't complain about the fuel consumption: I have used less than 9 gallons of propane over the past year, which includes a 5-minute run once a week, and a power outage of around three hours. It kicks in automatically after the power has been out for 5 seconds and does a cool down cycle after power is restored.
$16000.00 for a Generac 24kw installed at NJ beach home. Price included: The Generator The transfer unit. Building a 3 ft high platform - by code. Municipal Code permits and inspections. Plumbling for gas lines and Code inspections. Electrical inspections. Elevation Certificate from Engineering Surveyor for Code.Building permit for raised platform and inspection. Transfer line to opetated seperate stand alone garage. 4 exterior gfi exterior outlets. 2 Gfi outlets installed in garage. ** In NJ I would not install a home standby generator WITHOUT all the Municipal building code permits and inspections. The 24 kw is a bit loud running at full load. When and if neighbors complain do as I do and show tell them that the Generator has been installed and APPROVED per the Municipal Code office and I have all the approved closed out permits to prove it. If not you will run the risk of the Municipal Code inspector shutting down your unit / fines / and costly reinstall.
stay out of New Jersey. I escaped the state years ago and it has gotten a lot worse since. safe beautiful Pennsylvania in the mountains, can’t be beat.
I used to sell,install briggs & stratton standbys.of course i,m not a fan of generac.every service call outside of my client base were for generacs.i did install about a dozen kohlers that customers wanted.ran like crazy,good gens.never once got a call back for service other than mntnce.installed a 12k briggs in my new retirement home and a 100 amp select service transfer switch.the heat is heat pump / inductive electric coils.bought a couple of plug in heaters we use ,just 2 of us.damn thing is on a 70 amp breaker.not buying a gen to cover that.water htr fridge every outlet in house runs fine off the 12k.great gens installed dozens up to 30k.no complaints.17k were the best.most homes had all natural gas ,minimal load.
For the first year of ownership the Generac would produce more energy and cost $6335.59 for 50hrs at a LP Cost of $2.40, while the Kohler producing less energy would cost $6806.52. for the same LP cost, all the while producing less energy, and more noise. The savings from the first year at 50hrs would almost pay for another 50hrs. My pick is the Generac!
Kohler has been around for well over a hundred years (1873) and has an excellent reputation for building rugged and durable small engines. I'd take a Kohler any day over Generac despite the higher cost. Most people also do not need the higher wattage produced by the Generac generator.
The first year at 59 hours? IF it runs 1/2 hour exercise per week you'll have 25 hours in a year. I said IF because a generac only runs 12 mins per exercise period. That is a problem with them as they don't get hit enough in that run time. You'll find water in the oil of your air cooled generator at service 9 times out of 10.
Why didn't you compare the Generac 20kW with the Kohler 20kW? - That screams a lack of knowledge on your part. You literally have images of the 7077 20kW Generac all through your video starting at 1:02! LMAO Also, your price comparison is of a Kohler "Bundle" with an Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) included, and just the Generac 7077 unit without the ATS bundle. Also, The 22kW Generac does not run at 1800 RPM, It runs the Same 3600 RPM because it's an air-cooled model. That is the Liquid Cool version specs you are quoting. (You don't understand generators, do you?) Our takeaway: Don't get your generator advice from a gardening company!
This comparison completely ignores another significant consideration with code-compliant standby installations. If ATS (rather than manual transfer) is used, a load-shedding component is essentially mandatory unless you want to install a MUCH larger and more costly genset [702.4]. The Kohler shedding system is, in my opinion, far superior to the functionally primitive Generac approach, particularly if operation is likely to occur when unattended. This can also be avoided in well-planned new construction where emergency and non-emergency panels are organized to segregate loads at the outset, but the more typical experience is adding standby power to an existing electrical system.
FORGET Kohler. I was living out in the desert in Mexico and had a Koehler 20Kw generator as my backup generator. Thing ran exactly 48 hours and died. NOBODY in Mexico or the USA could fix it. I now have a Cummins 13KW and it runs so good. Wouldn’t recommend anything else but a Cummins Generator. Nice on the noise too.
I notice that you use a 22Kw vs 20Kw. Who are you trying to fool? You did not talk about oil consumption. A air cooled engine uses a lot of oil. Generac does not run at 1800 rpm. It runs at 3600 same as the Kohler. If you want a home standby that will work all of the time, use a liquid cooled engine. They do run at 1800 rpm.
A home owner on this UA-cam has a brand new 25000 watt Generac standby generator, running on propane. He spent $12,000.00 (?), installed. During a recent bad storm, with wires down everywhere, the unit failed after two hours of operation. Generac wanted $350.00 up front just to get a callback to the home owner. The desperate homeowner borrowed a neighbor's small portable gasoline powered generator. But he eventually could not find gasoline. He bought a small propane generator. Because propane was found in abundance. The lack of reliability (He said that it was probably made overseas, China?) and the way Generac treated him is a big reason to not buy this junk.
I've read that Generac has a moisture build-up and freezing problem. Also, I've read some consumer reviews and it seems that the after-sales service for Generac is terrible. In my opinion, the Kohler is better.
I would add that the Kohler enclosure is plastic and subject to fading from the sun as well as damage. The Generac is all aluminum with a baked on finish.
General is pervasive in my area. For every approximately 10 General dealers, there is one Kohler dealer. I have a friend who has been in the electrical industry for over 35 years. Generac generates more profit for its suppliers than others. There is an active radio campaign advertising for franchisees in an area that already has a glut of suppliers/installers. I’ve been researching these units and more for over three months now. I always found Generac to be the unit you buy when you do not want to do research or do not understand the research. It’s the brand everyone mentions when I say I’m in the market for a standby generator. It’s like the Bose brand in electronics. Well known, not necessarily the best in class. When I mention Kohler, their response usually is, “I thought that they made toilets”. I’ve asked both suppliers to do a home visit. This ought to be interesting. I had one Generac supplier say that they do not work in my area or in the two adjacent cities. I think it’s an unspoken turf issue. This video is about as lightweight as they come. You can get both brochures online and do the same comparison.
Fuel consumption is very minimal. Not even noticeable in reality. The Generac also has much better customer support all the way back to the factory level.
I bought a Generac 18kw over 12 years ago from Home Depot. I paid about $1800 out the door(on deep discount because a new model came in) and another $100 for parts. I am a DIYer. It took about 2 days to do the complete install. I had a hvac friend check my gas line install. I did the electrical because of my military training. The only problem I have had is bad battery. So I change the battery every 2 years along a with a synthetic oil change.
I have to agree with you. I had the 14 kw unit installed 11 years ago. We do the periodic maintenance on the unit, and have to change the about every battery every 4 years. It runs well and has kept their house warm and safe in Central NY. Water in the oil is not an issue because we do not live in a humid climate or near the ocean. The only issue that we have had is with a lightning strike which took out the Generac PLC board and battery. (It also took out the TV, furnace board, internet, garage door opener and ever surge protector in the house.) We had the service tech look at it and replace the board and battery. It is a great unit for us.
Interesting, 8 out of all home gens are Generac. You get more kw for less and Kohler is noisier .With more and more electric appliances and Mini splits the Generac gives more bang for the buck.
This is brutally loud, and my neighbors would not be happy with me. Why can't you and the other generator manufacturers look at the Malie DCA-45MZ Generator, which is quiet by design rather than loud and putting a bunch of installation around it.
Because he misquoted the Generac RPM. That model, like all the Generac air-cooled units 26KW and down, run at 3600 RPM. You don't get into 1800 RPM units until you get into the larger liquid-cooled engine series.
The Generac uses a newer technology, buy multiplying the field windings, and modifying the roto, they get a 60 cycle sine wave at 1800 RPM. Of course the Kohler uses the standard configuration, witch the motor must spin at 3800 RPM to obtain 60 cycles. In my opinion 1800 RPM will put less strain and wear on the engine, this makes the Generac, the one I would purchase.
Kohler much better engine, Comment from Kohler use in pro Lawn business. Neighbor has a Gererac it's noisiy. Both are expensive Don't know why people need to spenf 15k when they can spend 1600.00 on a nice electric start duel fuel invertor at 7250 watts with 50amp outlet, I bought the Genmax on AMZ, 15k is a lot of money for a unit that may only 2 a couple a times a year. I have 17 hrs on my 3 year old gen w/ 1 Hurr.
i tell you what the generac sounds like a lawn tractor from 250 feet away at the neighbors
5 днів тому
No comparison IMO. Generac generators are real POS. Many home owners opt for this brand because they are cheaper. And as the old saying goes, You get what you pay for. I Helped install many commercial and home Generac gen sets. Kohler too. Kohler are far and apart a better generator. I own a commercial 25 KW 4cyl. water cooled Kohler at my home. Still operating perfectly after 5 LONG Maine winters. No value in a unit that doesn't work when you need it , or finding out during a storm the company warranty isn't worth the paper it's written on. That's my professional opinion, your mileage may vary.
Genecraps are cheap to buy but expensive to repair......you see these cheap unit's at home center's in the front door......good luck getting service from these home center's, buy a Kohler or a Cummins from your local distributor and you'll get better service....if you call the local Generac distributor for service and bought your unit from a home center you'll wait weeks for service and you can't blame them, they didn't sell it and didn't make any money on it
I couldn’t believe when this video stated Generac used 93 (cubic ft) per hr. I would go broke using this generator. So I made my own calculations and it’s 93.6 cubic ft per day. Or 3.9 gallon per hour full load or 2.5 gallons per hour half load. Poor video
Home come you are comparing a 22kw to a Kohler 20kw and saying they are comprable but you show a photo of a Generac 20kw? Shop apples to apples . Kohler outperforms your 20 and 22kw Generac all day long. Generac wont handle handle a full load without dropping Hertz. Want something to last 8 years buy a Generac. Want something for 15 years or more get you a Kohler.
This video is just a paper comparison. What the internet needs is a real electrician who's worked with both and which one they would put in their house, an honest opinion without trying to milk affiliate marketing.
this is a horrible clip and a waste of time, gerecrap are junk and so is there customer service,
From experience, the worst people to talk to, in general, are gas installers and the electricians. Find a generator tech, and talk to them-they work on all of them-some more than others....
Every "real" electrician is going to work with one and ONLY one of these so they would be bias... unfortunately
Yes, this video was created by a PC robot, afraid to offend either company with an actual opinion!
Where do I start. There is so much wrong with this video. I've seen comments with the RPM discrepancy. They do both run at 3600 RPM. The STARTING wattage of these units is not 20,000 and 22,000. That is their nominal running wattages. Kohlers advertise their STARTING wattage, which in this case is in excess of 40,000 KVa for the 20KW. Generacs do not advertise their STARTING wattages. There is a reason. This is important in selecting a generator if you want it to start large motor loads, such as large central air conditioning units. It does mention that the Kohler is heavier. This is true. Most of that weight difference is in the rotating mass of the generator. The higher the rotating mass, the more inertia it has, which will counteract any large load trying to screech that generator to a halt when it is applied.
Generac is the top market share because they spend enormous amount of money on advertising. I wonder how much money they spend on their generators?
Generac also mentions in their promotional material that they manufacture engines specifically for their generators. All I understand when I read that, is that nobody else wants their engines for their power equipment. Kohler Engines have a huge following from multiple manufacturers. Kohler engines (in their horizontal air-cooled generators) have hydraulic lifters, while Generacs have solid, that require periodic valve adjustments. I'll let you figure out how many generators I visit that won't run because the valves are out of adjustment. I will tell you, the valves are out of adjustment because electricians think they are servicing the unit by changing the oil. This is why it is important to have a very well versed generator tech work on your unit. There are some electricians that do ok, but most leave a lot to be desired.
Generator quality in my opinion of the four top market share manufacturers is as follows from best to worst.
Kohler
Cummins (a very close second)
Briggs and Stratton
Generac
Yes, all generators have their issues. No you will not change my mind.
Thanks for posting this!
I have a Briggs 20 kw and have nothing but good things to say about it. I to looked at the other 2 you listed above the B&S as front runner candidates. Biggest reason I got what I have is the company that installed and preforms service is right down the road and a friend works there. They primarily do industrial electric motor work from winding stators and rotors. I think they know a thing or too about the generator side and with the other side of the shop doing generator service and sales I feel good about my purchase. I can do valve adjusting when the time comes too, I prefer to do all the service my self except what the warranty covers til it expires. But I agree with the 3 top ones you listed as great brands, I might throw champion in there too, I’ve heard they make a good smaller unit.
I'm glad I came across your comment here, I'm looking to install a backup gen this summer and was thinking Generac was better than Kohler since I hear about Generac all the time due to their advertising. With your insight and more research on my end, you've saved me from making a huge mistake buying a Generac and I'll now be going with the Kohler!
Thank you so much for this information.
They are oil injected and do not require oil changes as they are a 2 stroke with dry sump. i use amsoil interceptor 2T in my natural gas 2 stroke 22 kw and she purs at only 1800 rpms which is half the speed of a 4 stroke joke! Amsoil interceptor burn very clean in a natural gas 2 stroke!
Thanks everyone for the real reviews it means a lot I’m trying to decide .. Koehler seems to b winning!
I have a Kohler 14resa. Tons of issues after 500 hours. All the repair people say Kohlers are junk.
@@CJINW This repair person doesn't say Kohlers are junk.
Kohler #1. Topgun.
The Toyota of home generators. 💯
That's hilarious! Market Market Market...my toyota is 20 years old now and still putzing down the roadways. Holding on to it for dear life. These newer cars and trucks to me are mass-produced trash.
Mine runs a Ford 6 cyl engine 300 straight 6.
I have a 30 KW Kohler. It runs at 1800 RPM's its quiet and reliable. It ran for 10 days straight after Ian. I only shut it down to check the oil and for an oil change. Living in Florida I like the liquid cool generators better than the air cool ones.
more money and better quality
Liquid cooled sounds great, only issue is how does the system work in -20 degree temperatures or more? I understand it has antifreeze in the system but the Generac has no issues with it being cold.
@@Balticblue93 At my business in NJ we have a 60 KW Kohler. The coldest It ever started was around 0 to 5 above. It has a heater that circulates the antifreeze in the Block. -20 where your at is VERY cold. At that temperature even Battery's must be an issue.
Were you running it off your own tanks, or natural gas feed? I just wonder if they shut down those gas lines during a hurricane.
we have our own tank. .@@Mike-01234
Ive been a generator mechanic for 35 years now. I've had more problems with the generacs then any other brand. Notice they leave Cummins Onan out of this comparison. 9 times out of 10 i find water in the oil when i service the generac air cooled units. Why? Because they only run 12 mins on exercise each week. Not long enough to get hot enough to get rid of moister and with the short run time they actually pull moister out of humod air! Generac's answer? Not to change the run time (cant be done in the field) but to tell your customers to run it once a month, under load, fir an hour!
The problem is so significant that Generac came out with a hydrophobic oil because of the water issues associated with their exercise times.
Thank you so much for this information.
@@ChubbsyUbbsey There's is oil that is non-hydrophobic?
And it is the same with the other brands. This is not a generac problem, it is an industry problem.
@@moonbounce Kohler still runs a 20 minute exercise, generac is down to 7 minutes for some models.
At 2:49, you mentioned that the Generac turns at 1800 RPM. This is not true for any Air Cooled Home standby! The Generac utilizes a 2-pole rotor and therefore it must turn at 3600 RPM to produce 60Hz, which is the North American standard. Only the Protector Series (liquid cooled) has a 4-pole rotor which spins at 1800 RPM.
You are correct lol
The liquid cooled model might be 1800
I have owned a product of each manufacturer and currently have a Generac 24kw system on my farm. Both are good, but if you have one you must maintain it. Just changing the oil is not enough. Yesterday, I had the technician that installed my system do the annual service, that was not only an oil change, but a full diagnostic to ensure peak performance. Well worth the cost.
Good stuff...I purchased my 24KW Generac this summer. I have signed up for a company to do 1 or 2 check ups a year....I haven't had my 1st inspection.....when my 1st inspection happens what all should be done exactly besides checking/changing the oil??
@@coreypatterson1386 The technician will run check the system to insure your output is correct. If not he will adjust the output. I have had a technician service my equipment for 20 years with no problems
You are the luckiest guy ever! From my experience (40 years of generator experience as a generator technician) 🙂 most Gen-A-Crap customers aren't so lucky!!!!
Thank you 🙏
What is the expected cost for a full service?
I'd buy a Kohler, without hesitation.
That guy has absolutely no Idea what he is talking about. First of all he is stating the starting watts at both units normal running watts. Kohler 20RESC or 20RCA are 20,000 watts continuous and 41,000 watts starting which is 210% starting capacity. Generac 7043 or 22kw Air cooled is 22,000 watts continuous and 33,000 watts starting which is 150% starting capacity. Further as many years as I have been installing generators all Air cooled generators run at 3600 RPMs. This is because of using a 2 pole vs 4 pole rotor. They are less expensive and allow for a smaller engine to run higher rpm to produce HP needed to make wattage. Third of all they are talking about the pricing of a Generac without ATS versus a 20RCA(L) Kohler that comes with an $800 Service Rated 200amp ats. Generac Switch of similar design is around $700. Kohler is more expensive by a few hundred even if you don’t get the same running watts but wait till you try to turn on a 5 ton A/C or 2 or 3 on the same generator. Hands down Kohler will win that battle every time. I am a dealer for both brands. Yes Generac advertises and holds a bigger market share in Residential products. But thats only because people prefer what they see more often than doing the research. This guy needs to read some more into the spec sheets before comparing. If you want to know more feel free to visit our site at Star-Generation.com you can find out how to contact us there.
This was the best comment on this post; when I checked your website, I determined you were well qualified. My disappointment was that you are not located in the Space Coast area; nonetheless, thanks for posting.
It’s an ai voice and some bullshit writing by someone who knows nothing about generators designed for clickbait. What do u expect. Fuck this video
02:50 Incorrect on the Generac RPM. All of these air-cooled engines run at 3600 RPM, either Generac or Kohler. You don't get into the 1800 RPM engines until you get to the larger, liquid-cooled engine models.
I've seen in past videos that the Generac has a design flaw. The air filter box has a drain port for moisture build up. In sub freezing temps. this drain hole clogs up with ice and pressure builds up and blows oil all over the interior of the cabinet and making the engine oil level low. Now, I don't know if this flaw was ever fixed, but ,to me that could cause problems.
they have corrected the issue and for the older GENSET have a heater to install to keep the crankcase free from ice in cold weather
@@patthefireman100
Yep, THEY'RE mess up but YOU pay for the heater
One more minor detail regarding quality of build...anyone who has a generac go to it and see how much unbalanced load the alternator will support during operation. There is a decal that will tell you that the maximum unbalanced load is 50% of rating. Go to a Kohler air cooled, and look at the same sticker-it will say maximum unbalanced loads allowed is 100%. Think about that one.
We have used the ua-cam.com/users/postUgkxOTeIs0vv4_9B5hsmnLsk9r930uDQLu_Y for probably 30 hours with our camper and it’s been great! The noise level is really only noticeable when running the AC and other appliances like the microwave, hair dryer, or coffee pot. It’s not huge like other ones and it has wheels so even at 90lbs, I can move it!
Given the reason most consumers buy a Home Generator is for emergency use your criteria for deciding which one is best is flawed. Reliability, installation cost, maintenance cost, and service availability are all more important than cost per kilowatt hour given most of these generators will be operated for a few days or less. Of course, if you are using the generator in an off-grid application or experience frequent long-term power outages the kilowatt hour criteria may be a consideration but still does not trump reliability or the other costs involved in installing and maintaining the generator.
I would never own another Generac house generator. Bought one almost twenty years ago and had nothing but trouble with it. Came with several broken teeth in the flywheel right out of the box. Hard time getting warranty service too. Never again. I gave it away to a guy that I have do work for me. I replaced it with a 10KW multifuel one I bought on line five years ago. Runs on gas, or LP. I have to start it myself, and that's even better for me. No problems at all. My neighbor bought a Generac and had the dealer install it probably ten years ago and their out here having to work on it several times a year. Mine even has a hand start as a hack up in case the battery is low.
@dabprod can I ask which one you purchased?
Everyone is talking just about the two Generators. They are both good Generators. The problem I have found being a Trouble Shooter for a large east coast Utility are the transfer switches. After an outage has been picked up we get calls from customers about the generator still running. All transfer switches I have found were Generac. I explained to the customer that they have full power at the meter. Since i am not allowed to mess with customer owned equipment I tell them to pull the cover off and they will find the electric plunger that operates the transfer switch is burned up. I have yet to find a Kohler switch burned up.
James, yes you are correct this is a common problem with Generac transfer switches. It has to do with the programming in the switch itself and has never been addressed by Generac. We install a small relay that does not allow the switch to transfer back to utility until the utility voltage is at least 210 volts (factory setting is approx. 180 VAC and non adjustable). If the power, when restored, is not high enough for the coil to pull the switch up to the utility position, the upper coil burns up
Not true
@Jennydog100 We keep tge main switch off so it doesn't feed to the pole n when power is restored it doesn't blow up the generator and all the breakers . Not really rocket science as we use a check list for power outages. Have had a generac for 23 years n works every time
This comparison merely reads the sales brochures and spec sheets. Uses stock footage, he’s probably never seen one in person.
I have a 22kw Generac and my biggest complaint is how loud it is. In your video you mention you can hold a conversation around it. Mine is not at all quiet enough to conversate around. If I could do it again I would go with a smaller, quieter unit.
I purchased a Generac 13kw unit in 2020 and it weathered the Texas freeze in 2021 for a solid week. Of course, knowledge about serving them is key and Generac generators are very easily self-serviceable.
When you do your shopping remember the product is only as good as the people that serve it!
Exactly, make sure the dealer you have install your unit is actually a factory trained service dealer for Generac.
Generac dealers in my town are horrible.
@@Asidebar - Just the opposite in my area. Install and service are top-notch. 👍
@@antiquarian3942 Factory training for air cooled isn't a big thing.
We love our Kohler 14KW. We have had it for 12 years and have had several outages that were a week long and two that were 8 and 9 days. During the evening, night, and laid back times we turn the Kohler off and use a smaller 125V gas generator to save fuel cost. The larger propane generators go through a LOT of fuel. Our neighbor has a Generac, 10KW I think, and they are happy with theirs. Either one would be great. Also we don't use the automatic transfer feature even though it works flawlessly. If an outage occurs at night or when we're away it's just wasted fuel. I wouldn't get too technical when choosing. More important is longevity and service. Generators of this size are going to make noise and they're going be thirsty.
Kohler will go up to 120 percent of that rating. WHy dont you do a segment where you load bank both of them at the same time and see which one holds up. It WILL be the Kohler.
Seems to be a Generac commercial. Generaac has customer service issues on different forum platform.
Our 20 kw generator is on the blink right now. The message panel says low oil pressure. Repair man has changed the switch twice plus the board and it still shuts down and gives the low oil pressure message. Could moisture in the oil be the problem? It’s very humid here in the South. The generator is almost 14 years old.
Pull the plug wires, remove the OPS, hold your thumb over the OPS port and turn the engine over, have a rag handy. If you get oil out of the port the problem lies elsewhere. If you get no oil out of the port, your oil pump took a crap. You can also pull the front valve cover and see if you have bits of white nylon on the underside of the cover. The oil pump gear is made of nylon and when the pump goes it is usually because the teeth are shearing off the oil pump gear. Use care when removing the valve cover, you don't want to damage the gasket unless you have a spare hanging around. If it turns out to be the oil pump it can be fixed, we do them in the field, also ask for your money back on the previously unsuccessful repairs.
Wrong wrong wrong . 22kw on lpg on 19 kw on natural gas. Surge wattage is way above 22kw. 22kw rating is constant power. Time to go back to school.
Generac notoriously lies on their spec sheets. They've been sued multiple times. Ask dealers who work with both to give you their feedback. The joke in the industry is Generac is a marketing company that sells generators and Kohler is a generator company that doesn't know what marketing is. The quality and reliability, and warranty of Kohler is heads and tails above Generac.
Where does Cummins fit in this comparison? We have a Cummins and a Generac at my employer's office, and when I asked the service tech he recommended Cummins.
@@winstonelston5743 Cummins is a great product. Generally has a less dense dealer network so there may be some areas where you're in a blackout for real service needs. Typically priced higher than the competition for not a big leap in quality if any.
Are Batteries required? My only experience working with a backup power generator is, where an inverter runs off a battery string and the generator is there to keep the batteries charged. If no batteries are required, is there a risk of damage to all ac device in the home?
Thanks
I am fairly certain they need a battery to start the engine.
I work for a generac dealer and let me tell you, buy a Kohler. Generac has major manufacturing issues. 2 of the same unit can be made with the same exact model, same production date, same spec sheet - open it up; different parts with completely different part numbers making it very difficult to source parts.
Thank you for this comment. I live on the Gulf coast and we just had a derecho storm last week-was out of power for 5 days. Researching generators and a family friend recommended Kohler. Generac is what all of our neighbors have…glad to see honest insider information.
@@Quetzali19 I'm in Houston area too. My neighbor has a Kohler and is not happy with her service. My generac did have a problem during the storm but they are very attentive and fixed it quickly. So, perhaps Kohler is a better machine ( I don't know) but really research the service issue because that is very important too.
Sounds just like John Deere, profit over performance
Unless you experience frequent and long power outages, the fuel consumption numbers seem pretty irrelevant to me.
I bought a 14 kw Generac ten years ago and the stator, rotor and control panel ate themselves at 16 months. Generac had a one year warranty at the time and told me to GF myself.
lol 😂
Guess I won’t be getting one of those
Me neither 😂@@cardsfan5100
Thank you 🙏
One thing you forgot to mention the generac 22kw is on propane the same generator on natural gas is 19.5 kw.
I have noticed a little condensation on the dipstick, so will start running for an hour once a month.
There is a reason why the electrical contractors I know call them gene-wrecks.
Go with the Kohler and save yourself a lot of hassles and expensive repairs.
Generac is junk!
Gener-crap... That's what technicians call them online. Look at places that sell Gener-crap. They are running a Kohler generator for their business.
Good comparison. I'd of liked to know how those two compare in terms of Warranty coverages as well.
Pink energy went out of business due to crappy Generac products. Please research before you buy. I had a 20K Generac installed after hurricane Sandy. It never worked once when I needed it. The ATS froze and caught fire, almost burning down the house. Then the control board went bad. Never again.
You forgot to mention that Generac currently holds 82% of the North American market share for residential standby generator sales and they're the only manufacturer that regularly advertises on TV and radio to support dealer sales. 👍
Sounds like a comment from a Generac dealer or representative.
It's unlikely... but I did buy some of your maple syrup 2 weeks ago. 😅
I am not a Generac dealer, but I do own one. There are far more dealers and service providers in the Denver Metro area for the Generac. I was aware they held the market share but did not know it was 82%, which is more than the Apple iPhone and pretty amazing. I believe mine is a 27kW unit and has worked flawlessly with automatic transfer switch and solar panels. I have never tried a Kohler but I like their other products, so I wouldn't hesitate to use them, but I like the larger support group of businesses. But my dealer is responsive 24/7 by automatic connection. The system can dispatch them for repair or service automatically. If they lose contact, they call me directly and if I am not available, they come to my home to check the status of the system. Seems pretty good to me. Thankfully we do not lose power much though. I kind of wish it would drop out occasionally to really test it out.
Generic is junk compared to Kohler.
That's because Kohler and Onan don't run TV ads. Did you know Generac's business statement is "quantity over quality" and there have been several law suits against generac?
This video is just a gloss over and really does not get into the important information.
Generac is NOT a great product. It's good but has less quality, design and requires more professional servicing. The engine valve lifters are not hydraulic and need to be adjusted after a break-in period and again at 400 or so hours. It's louder and uses more fuel than the Kohler. The Kohler has better harmonic distortion specs protecting your electronic equipment. Kohler is a bit more money for very good reasons. Do your own research and see the true important facts. Who gives a crap on how much they weigh. It's not important.
One is 500 pounds, one is 600. Exterior dimensions are sufficiently awkward that both will require a mechanical hoist to lift.
Why are you looking at the 3 phase 20kw unit pricing???
I have a Generac 22kw generator that runs everything in my 2200 sq ft house. I can't complain about the fuel consumption: I have used less than 9 gallons of propane over the past year, which includes a 5-minute run once a week, and a power outage of around three hours. It kicks in automatically after the power has been out for 5 seconds and does a cool down cycle after power is restored.
Any input on engineering standards? Which one has superior cooling and reliability?
$16000.00 for a Generac 24kw installed at NJ beach home.
Price included:
The Generator
The transfer unit.
Building a 3 ft high platform - by code.
Municipal Code permits and inspections.
Plumbling for gas lines and Code inspections.
Electrical inspections.
Elevation Certificate from Engineering Surveyor for Code.Building permit for raised platform and inspection.
Transfer line to opetated seperate stand alone garage.
4 exterior gfi exterior outlets.
2 Gfi outlets installed in garage.
** In NJ I would not install a home standby generator WITHOUT all the Municipal building code permits and inspections.
The 24 kw is a bit loud running at full load. When and if neighbors complain do as I do and show tell them that the Generator has been installed and APPROVED per the Municipal Code office and I have all the approved closed out permits to prove it.
If not you will run the risk of the Municipal Code inspector shutting down your unit / fines / and costly reinstall.
stay out of New Jersey. I escaped the state years ago and it has gotten a lot worse since. safe beautiful Pennsylvania in the mountains, can’t be beat.
Kohler is best. I have one.
Love my Kohler
I used to sell,install briggs & stratton standbys.of course i,m not a fan of generac.every service call outside of my client base were for generacs.i did install about a dozen kohlers that customers wanted.ran like crazy,good gens.never once got a call back for service other than mntnce.installed a 12k briggs in my new retirement home and a 100 amp select service transfer switch.the heat is heat pump / inductive electric coils.bought a couple of plug in heaters we use ,just 2 of us.damn thing is on a 70 amp breaker.not buying a gen to cover that.water htr fridge every outlet in house runs fine off the 12k.great gens installed dozens up to 30k.no complaints.17k were the best.most homes had all natural gas ,minimal load.
Generac 22kW runs at 3600 RPM as well.
Also only generac liquid cooled units run at 1800 rpm. All generac air cooled models run at 3600 rpm.
Do a comparison between the 3 most powerful power stations.
And consider how quickly you can find parts and service people to replace them if necessary.
One of the biggest issues is dependability. Who is better?
The images in your video show the General is 20kw, same as the Koehler unit
For the first year of ownership the Generac would produce more energy and cost $6335.59 for 50hrs at a LP Cost of $2.40, while the Kohler producing less energy would cost $6806.52. for the same LP cost, all the while producing less energy, and more noise. The savings from the first year at 50hrs would almost pay for another 50hrs. My pick is the Generac!
Kohler has been around for well over a hundred years (1873) and has an excellent reputation for building rugged and durable small engines. I'd take a Kohler any day over Generac despite the higher cost. Most people also do not need the higher wattage produced by the Generac generator.
@@williamjones4483 My furnace uses 25K for the heat strips, so I would need just a little bigger
Have you looked at auctions usually they sell older military generators. That might meet your needs
@@Hibbie2963 I think you should upgrade to a heat pump sysytem. Where do you live?
The first year at 59 hours? IF it runs 1/2 hour exercise per week you'll have 25 hours in a year. I said IF because a generac only runs 12 mins per exercise period. That is a problem with them as they don't get hit enough in that run time. You'll find water in the oil of your air cooled generator at service 9 times out of 10.
Why didn't you compare the Generac 20kW with the Kohler 20kW? - That screams a lack of knowledge on your part. You literally have images of the 7077 20kW Generac all through your video starting at 1:02! LMAO
Also, your price comparison is of a Kohler "Bundle" with an Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) included, and just the Generac 7077 unit without the ATS bundle.
Also, The 22kW Generac does not run at 1800 RPM, It runs the Same 3600 RPM because it's an air-cooled model. That is the Liquid Cool version specs you are quoting. (You don't understand generators, do you?)
Our takeaway: Don't get your generator advice from a gardening company!
This comparison completely ignores another significant consideration with code-compliant standby installations. If ATS (rather than manual transfer) is used, a load-shedding component is essentially mandatory unless you want to install a MUCH larger and more costly genset [702.4]. The Kohler shedding system is, in my opinion, far superior to the functionally primitive Generac approach, particularly if operation is likely to occur when unattended. This can also be avoided in well-planned new construction where emergency and non-emergency panels are organized to segregate loads at the outset, but the more typical experience is adding standby power to an existing electrical system.
FORGET Kohler. I was living out in the desert in Mexico and had a Koehler 20Kw generator as my backup generator. Thing ran exactly 48 hours and died. NOBODY in Mexico or the USA could fix it. I now have a Cummins 13KW and it runs so good. Wouldn’t recommend anything else but a Cummins Generator. Nice on the noise too.
We have a general and he is wrong about the noise level.. It is loud
In my area, Generac is the only way to go. Not because it's better, but rather it's the only game in town.
Go to the next town and buy one.
@ Service and parts are part of the equation.
I notice that you use a 22Kw vs 20Kw. Who are you trying to fool? You did not talk about oil consumption. A air cooled engine uses a lot of oil. Generac does not run at 1800 rpm. It runs at 3600 same as the Kohler. If you want a home standby that will work all of the time, use a liquid cooled engine. They do run at 1800 rpm.
You need to check the specs on the Generac again! The engine runs at 3600 rpm’s not 1800.
A home owner on this UA-cam has a brand new 25000 watt Generac standby generator, running on propane. He spent $12,000.00 (?), installed. During a recent bad storm, with wires down everywhere, the unit failed after two hours of operation. Generac wanted $350.00 up front just to get a callback to the home owner. The desperate homeowner borrowed a neighbor's small portable gasoline powered generator. But he eventually could not find gasoline. He bought a small propane generator. Because propane was found in abundance. The lack of reliability (He said that it was probably made overseas, China?) and the way Generac treated him is a big reason to not buy this junk.
I've read that Generac has a moisture build-up and freezing problem. Also, I've read some consumer reviews and it seems that the after-sales service for Generac is terrible. In my opinion, the Kohler is better.
I didn't just "read" something, I purchased it. Professionally installed and no issues and service is top notch!
I would add that the Kohler enclosure is plastic and subject to fading from the sun as well as damage.
The Generac is all aluminum with a baked on finish.
Yes, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is also known as propane.
I will stick with my 1966 ONAN generator diesel
Do not buy Generac… just don’t do it… I work for a company that has over 800 under contract and I’m telling you, don’t buy one.
A lot of bad reviews on generac on UA-cam
General is pervasive in my area. For every approximately 10 General dealers, there is one Kohler dealer. I have a friend who has been in the electrical industry for over 35 years. Generac generates more profit for its suppliers than others. There is an active radio campaign advertising for franchisees in an area that already has a glut of suppliers/installers. I’ve been researching these units and more for over three months now. I always found Generac to be the unit you buy when you do not want to do research or do not understand the research. It’s the brand everyone mentions when I say I’m in the market for a standby generator. It’s like the Bose brand in electronics. Well known, not necessarily the best in class. When I mention Kohler, their response usually is, “I thought that they made toilets”. I’ve asked both suppliers to do a home visit. This ought to be interesting. I had one Generac supplier say that they do not work in my area or in the two adjacent cities. I think it’s an unspoken turf issue.
This video is about as lightweight as they come. You can get both brochures online and do the same comparison.
Fuel consumption is very minimal. Not even noticeable in reality. The Generac also has much better customer support all the way back to the factory level.
I bought a Generac 18kw over 12 years ago from Home Depot. I paid about $1800 out the door(on deep discount because a new model came in) and another $100 for parts. I am a DIYer. It took about 2 days to do the complete install. I had a hvac friend check my gas line install. I did the electrical because of my military training. The only problem I have had is bad battery. So I change the battery every 2 years along a with a synthetic oil change.
I have to agree with you. I had the 14 kw unit installed 11 years ago. We do the periodic maintenance on the unit, and have to change the about every battery every 4 years. It runs well and has kept their house warm and safe in Central NY. Water in the oil is not an issue because we do not live in a humid climate or near the ocean. The only issue that we have had is with a lightning strike which took out the Generac PLC board and battery. (It also took out the TV, furnace board, internet, garage door opener and ever surge protector in the house.) We had the service tech look at it and replace the board and battery. It is a great unit for us.
The rated wattage is NOT the starting wattage. The starting wattage is much higher.
Without objective reliability data, your comparison is meaningless. In true emergencies, that’s all that matters.
Forgot to mention the Generac uses a Gforce engine? It's the same engine used in formula one race cars.
With EITHER, your natural gas bill will SKYROCKET, when the unit is being used!
Send the bill to your electric grid supplier.
Just because they advertise on tv does not make them the best. I can only tell you what I've read and seen. You like Generac? Fine. I'll get a Kohler.
Interesting, 8 out of all home gens are Generac. You get more kw for less and Kohler is noisier .With more and more electric appliances and Mini splits the Generac gives more bang for the buck.
Kohler unit price included panels. The generac did not. Units are also not similar sized. I would not use this review to make a decision.
This is brutally loud, and my neighbors would not be happy with me. Why can't you and the other generator manufacturers look at the Malie DCA-45MZ Generator, which is quiet by design rather than loud and putting a bunch of installation around it.
Invite them over when their power goes out and it get's really hot or cold and they'll shut up.
Generator techs say don’t buy generac they are junk or anything that is air cooled stay the hell away from
Fords or Chevy everyone has an opinion. Get the cold weather kits
Odd that a 3600 rpm generator consumes less fuel them a 1800 rpm generator.
Wonder why no one uses pulley and belts over direct drive coupling?
Because he misquoted the Generac RPM. That model, like all the Generac air-cooled units 26KW and down, run at 3600 RPM. You don't get into 1800 RPM units until you get into the larger liquid-cooled engine series.
The Generac uses a newer technology, buy multiplying the field windings, and modifying the roto, they get a 60 cycle sine wave at 1800 RPM. Of course the Kohler uses the standard configuration, witch the motor must spin at 3800 RPM to obtain 60 cycles. In my opinion 1800 RPM will put less strain and wear on the engine, this makes the Generac, the one I would purchase.
the guy lost me at the generac running at 1800RPM
Kohler much better engine, Comment from Kohler use in pro Lawn business. Neighbor has a Gererac it's noisiy. Both are expensive Don't know why people need to spenf 15k when they can spend 1600.00 on a nice electric start duel fuel invertor at 7250 watts with 50amp outlet, I bought the Genmax on AMZ, 15k is a lot of money for a unit that may only 2 a couple a times a year. I have 17 hrs on my 3 year old gen w/ 1 Hurr.
video is so full of errors - thumbs DOWN
Generac runs at 1800 rpm?? I don't think so! Try 3600 Sincerely, Richard Goodman
i tell you what the generac sounds like a lawn tractor from 250 feet away at the neighbors
No comparison IMO. Generac generators are real POS. Many home owners opt for this brand because they are cheaper. And as the old saying goes, You get what you pay for.
I Helped install many commercial and home Generac gen sets. Kohler too.
Kohler are far and apart a better generator.
I own a commercial 25 KW 4cyl. water cooled Kohler at my home. Still operating perfectly after 5 LONG Maine winters. No value in a unit that doesn't work when you need it , or finding out during a storm the company warranty isn't worth the paper it's written on. That's my professional opinion, your mileage may vary.
The generac DOES NOT RUN AT 1800 RPMS! .
Genecraps are cheap to buy but expensive to repair......you see these cheap unit's at home center's in the front door......good luck getting service from these home center's, buy a Kohler or a Cummins from your local distributor and you'll get better service....if you call the local Generac distributor for service and bought your unit from a home center you'll wait weeks for service and you can't blame them, they didn't sell it and didn't make any money on it
I couldn’t believe when this video stated Generac used 93 (cubic ft) per hr. I would go broke using this generator. So I made my own calculations and it’s 93.6 cubic ft per day. Or 3.9 gallon per hour full load or 2.5 gallons per hour half load. Poor video
Home come you are comparing a 22kw to a Kohler 20kw and saying they are comprable but you show a photo of a Generac 20kw? Shop apples to apples . Kohler outperforms your 20 and 22kw Generac all day long. Generac wont handle handle a full load without dropping Hertz. Want something to last 8 years buy a Generac. Want something for 15 years or more get you a Kohler.
Brought to you by the fine folks at Genetac..
So let me get this straight 😂. A generator is.....a generator? You don't say! 😂😂😂
When I lose power I lose the internet...so this will not turn on or off my generator...it is only good for monitoring...
I heard Cummings is best
Do NOT buy a Generac generator mine only lasted 3 years and NOONE will work on one trust me
Generac is junk
This is a puff piece at best, maybe AI generated.
Clearly a Generac commercial !!!!
This video is a joke do not listen to most of what you hear here.
Sick and tired of computer generated voice videos.
You start by picking 2 different size and then state the bigger one creates more starting power so it wins, another bs video.
So this is an ad for Kohler. FKohler for that.