Paging Red Beard ........ generator question

rfuerst911sc · 09-04-2021, 01:10 PM

I know Red Beard is a generator subject matter expert but anyone can chime in with knowledge of whole house generators. Local to me is a Honeywell 11 kw propane generator for sale with 714 hours on the hour meter . Owner says they bought it to have power while their house was being built . House now done and they decided to sell it.

It comes with a transfer switch and I have asked what paperwork might be included . They are asking $2,000.00 which sounds like a decent deal . Seller says in the ad it runs great but has a " slight oil leak " . I would have to look at it and see if it's a big deal or not regarding the oil leak . So Red Beard or anyone else does this sound like a good deal ? Are Honeywell generators good quality ? Thanks in advance 🙂

rfuerst911sc · 09-04-2021, 02:23 PM

Looks like an air cooled twin like most are . Off hand don't know the engine brand I will do some research . Seller says he has original owners manual and the oil leak is tiny ....... so small he says he can't find where it's coming from . It doesn't concern me it won't run that often . I did ask him why he's not keeping it for backup power , he said he would but needs the money .So I will try some negotiation .

rfuerst911sc · 09-04-2021, 02:58 PM

Ok so Generac makes Honeywell so they use Generac branded engines . And nearest I can tell this sold for 3500 - 4000 new in 2016 when it was purchased . That's all I know at the moment 😁

rfuerst911sc · 09-04-2021, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arizona_928

If an air cooled twin that motor might be at end of life. Kohler 20 ish hp twins usually don't make it past 1500 hours.... the last one i ran using it for a hydraulic motor made it to 1100ish hours before it was completely worn out.

I would load test and make sure it's still good....

Any ideas on how to do that when the generator has been fully disconnected ? So it's basically just how you pull it out of the box when new . I would have to " rig " a BBQ propane tank is my guess .

Arizona_928 · 09-04-2021, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by afterburn 549

Whilst we are at it I am looking for a 3 cylinder turbo-charged Genset too! (Nothing from China please)
thanx

Kubota 1105 or Mitsubishi l3E. Both will get 15,000+ hours on 6kw 1800 rpm gen heads

rfuerst911sc · 09-04-2021, 05:12 PM

Did a few internet searches for " how many hours will a Generac engine last " and most sites say 3000 hours with proper maintenance . Proper maintenance looks like oil/filter change every 200 hours and valve adjustment every 400 hours . If that is accurate AND if the seller followed the schedule then it " should " have a lot of life left in it .

rfuerst911sc · 09-06-2021, 08:12 AM

Well another option has appeared but it's 160 miles away . An 11kw Kohler whole house style generator with 140 hours for $1900.00 but does not include the transfer switch . He has the transfer switch but wants extra $$$ for it . The engine is a 7000 series air cooled twin .

Compared to the first one there is a difference of aprox 600 hours , other than that I think the Honeywell and Kohler are similar in quality . Is the road trip worth the less hours ? Common sense says yes . What do you guys think ? I think an 11kw will run our 3 ton AC and well pump and a few other items using some common sense . I also will have to find a 250 or 500 gallon propane tank .

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

Sorry, only just saw this.

#1. What size transfer Switch for each one? It has to be enough to allow power to your house under normal circumstances. If you have 125A service, you need a 150A or larger TS.

A 200A Transfer switch is about $1K new. You can order Generac TS through Home Depot.

The First deal sounds pretty good, but I would question the owner to the number of times the oil and filter were changed. It should be about every 100 hours. The other Generator with 140 hours, again ask about the maintenance.

You should stick with a transfer switch from the same company or manufacturer since some "talk" between the generator and the TS. We used to sell Briggs & Stratton. Each one "starts" the generator in a slightly different way.

That said, all of the generators are comparable. I like the Kohler for the way the generator starts. But we could accommodate any system with our Control System,

$2K for a 11kW Generator is a decent deal. The hours are OK if it were taken care of properly. $1.9K for a used 11kW with 140 without the TS seems a little bit high, but in the ball park..

rfuerst911sc · 09-06-2021, 02:46 PM

Red Beard here's what I know . My house has a 200 amp main service panel . The first generator is a Honeywell that includes a Generac # 6334 100 amp transfer switch . To me it looks like a manual switch . Can a 100 amp be used to feed a 200 amp panel ? I know that sounds silly but can't I control load via my home breaker box ? Turn off high amp breakers then add as needed .

Second generator is a Kohler and he is selling a Honeywell transfer switch for $300.00 . I can't see a model number but it is physically fairly large and the nomenclature on the decals sounds like it is a auto transfer switch . I do not see an amp rating .

CalPersFatCat · 09-06-2021, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

Red Beard here's what I know . My house has a 200 amp main service panel . The first generator is a Honeywell that includes a Generac # 6334 100 amp transfer switch . To me it looks like a manual switch . Can a 100 amp be used to feed a 200 amp panel ? I know that sounds silly but can't I control load via my home breaker box ? Turn off high amp breakers then add as needed .

Second generator is a Kohler and he is selling a Honeywell transfer switch for $300.00 . I can't see a model number but it is physically fairly large and the nomenclature on the decals sounds like it is a auto transfer switch . I do not see an amp rating .

The 6334 is, as you stated, a manual transfer switch. I am a VERY minority partner in a Generac Premier Power Pro Dealer ($1.5m or more purchased from Generac annually, and a bunch of other service/technician related requirements). If you bought the generator from me, I would sell you that switch for $199. It is a current model. Lowes cost on it is probably $100. I'm not kidding.

You need a 200 amp automatic transfer switch. When you are out of town, you want the system to work as if you were in the next room. Again, Lowes is your best bet for that. Expect to pay $700 for it. The Honeywell costs $10 more than the Generac. If I had a Honeywell Gen then I would get a Honeywell Xfer Automatic Xfer Switch. When you sell your house it will present better.

Lowes is fantastic. We have the installation agreement for 15 Lowes Stores in a region in Florida and we do several installations for them each week. They will treat you right on that Auto Xfer Switch.

DL

rfuerst911sc · 09-06-2021, 04:23 PM

^^^ Appreciate the advice and now that I read what you said it makes perfect sense to have the 200 amp auto transfer switch .

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

Yep, you have to have a TS switch at least equal to the size of the house service. I would agree that you want an Automatic TS.

rfuerst911sc · 09-07-2021, 03:17 AM

The transfer switch the Kohler generator guy has is a Honeywell OH7264E which is an auto switching but I think rated 100 amps . So either generator I am looking at I will have to purchase a 200 amp rated transfer switch .

rfuerst911sc · 09-07-2021, 05:24 AM

Hmmm I had asked the Honeywell seller how often has he changed the oil/filter in the 700+ hours . And have the valves been adjusted . He just replied .......... he has NEVER changed the oil/filter just topped it off as needed . And no valve adjustment ever done . I can live with the lack of valve adjustment but very concerned about the lack of oil and filter changes . Don't most air cooled generators come with break in oil that needs to be changed after 10 hours or so ? Then once yearly or every 100-200 hours ?

Not sure if I should make an offer of 1500 or not . No guarantee that he would accept and based on lack of maintenance I wouldn't pay any higher than that . What do you guys think ?

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

That is a non maintained air cooled engine. This filters (air and oil), oil and spark plugs should be changed yearly or after 100 hours of operation.

These engines are basically 2 cylinder lawnmower engines, but with filters. I'd skip that one.

rfuerst911sc · 09-07-2021, 05:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red-beard

That is a non maintained air cooled engine. This filters (air and oil), oil and spark plugs should be changed yearly or after 100 hours of operation.

These engines are basically 2 cylinder lawnmower engines, but with filters. I'd skip that one.

Appreciate the honest feedback . And check your PM please 😁

rfuerst911sc · 09-07-2021, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CalPersFatCat

The 6334 is, as you stated, a manual transfer switch. I am a VERY minority partner in a Generac Premier Power Pro Dealer ($1.5m or more purchased from Generac annually, and a bunch of other service/technician related requirements). If you bought the generator from me, I would sell you that switch for $199. It is a current model. Lowes cost on it is probably $100. I'm not kidding.

You need a 200 amp automatic transfer switch. When you are out of town, you want the system to work as if you were in the next room. Again, Lowes is your best bet for that. Expect to pay $700 for it. The Honeywell costs $10 more than the Generac. If I had a Honeywell Gen then I would get a Honeywell Xfer Automatic Xfer Switch. When you sell your house it will present better.

Lowes is fantastic. We have the installation agreement for 15 Lowes Stores in a region in Florida and we do several installations for them each week. They will treat you right on that Auto Xfer Switch.

DL

Sent you a PM .

rfuerst911sc · 09-07-2021, 03:17 PM

Any feedback on this Cummins ? Supposedly in stock and includes a 200 amp transfer switch . Not sure what shipping cost is .

https://themobilegrid.com/product/cummins-quiet-connect-20kw-air-cooled-home-standby-generator-rs20a/

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

Looks good. Figure $750 for shipping.

David · David's Garage

What's involved for installation? What size gas line for a 20kw unit if running natural gas? How does the transfer switch get wired in?

My mom is looking at having one installed and it seems the going rate is over $10K installed. I don't see where the $5-6K of installation comes from. Looks like a days worth of work and a couple hundred dollars in material. Plus permits of course.