Generac GP5500????

Caribfan · Nov 4, 2012

I just went through Sandy with minimal problems. We only lost power for about 12 hours but I know my time is coming sometime in the future. I am too old to have to worry about alot of storm-prep so I have decided to bite the bullet and buy a portable generator. There seems to be alot of generator knowledge here. My local TSC has Generac GP5500 for $699. If it makes any difference I have a Mt Vernon AE with a battery backup so the pellet stove would most likely NOT be on the generator. However I would like to have capabilities to run the well pump, boiler (showers), fridge, freezer, ext and I am perfectly willing to switch circuits on/off at the breaker panel to limit the big drawing items.

Anyone have any input?

fevest · Nov 4, 2012

Some battery backups don't like generator power. check the manual on your backup. I have a 16kw generac and had to get different ups to work wtih the gen output.

jtakeman · Nov 4, 2012

Before you jump on it you should figure out your power needs are. Make a list of what you want to run and add up there running watts draw. Find the highest starting watts on the list and add that to your total. This will get you pretty close to what you need for wattage on the generator. Next is looking at the circuits you need to isolate with a Transfer Switch. Or you can do the whole panel with an interlock kit(shuts main breaker off before you can turn on the gennies breaker). Interlock kit is a lot cheaper and a lot less wiring. Plus you can run what ever is wired in the main panel.

http://www.interlockkit.com/

Caribfan · Nov 4, 2012

fevest said:
Some battery backups don't like generator power. check the manual on your backup. I have a 16kw generac and had to get different ups to work wtih the gen output.

The battery backup for the Mt Vernon is just a simple marine deep cell battery. The motors that run the blowers andd auger are DC so i just attach 1 end of a special (overpriced) cord to the battery and plug the other end into the stove. I haven't run it myself yet but estimates on this web page range from 25-50 hrs of operation - it has to be lit manually though. So the battery is never attached to the generator. I just make sure the battery is charged before the weather event hits. I'm told that once the battery runs out of juice you can just hook it to your car with jumper cables to recharge it.

Caribfan · Nov 4, 2012

jtakeman said:
Before you jump on it you should figure out your power needs are. Make a list of what you want to run and add up the running watts draw. Find the highest starting watts on the list and add that to your total. This will get you pretty close to what you need for wattage on the generator. Next is looking at the circuits you need to isolate with a Transfer Switch. Or you can do the whole panel with an interlock kit(shuts main breaker off before you can turn on the gennies breaker). Interlock kit is a lot cheaper and a lot less wiring. Plus you can run what ever is wired in the main panel.

http://www.interlockkit.com/

I think I'm in about the right range considering what I want to run - I'm fine with switching breakers on and off for showers, freezer etc. I was just wondering if anyone could speak to the Generac 5500 specifically. Also, any features that anyone has found handy such as low oil shut-off, hours meter, etc?

Justin M · Nov 4, 2012

If you can afford it get a XG or XP model. The engines on those are made in Wisconsin. The engines on the GP series are made overseas and are not of the same quality.

StihlHead · Nov 4, 2012

I am looking at the same gerneator here. I pulled out the old generator bypass wiring here as it was a rat's nest and done wrong. Power goes out here for about a week every winter. I just want to run direct extention cord lines to: the refer, some lights, the satellite internet and the well pump. The well pump is the issue with 5k size generators, as I need a 30 amp 220v with enough oomph to deal with the start-up of the pump and refer at the same time. Or I could unplug one and charge the pressure tank, and then plug in the refer and run it manually. The rest I can deal with but I need water, some lights and to keep the food from spoiling. The wood stove keeps the house warm w/o any power.

Reading online the Generac 5500 gets good reviews, 4.5 stars with 150 reviews in HD, 3 stars with 23 reviews on Amazon. Main complaint is that its heavy, it is not CARB compliant for CA use, and many carbs or tanks have gas leaks. The carb seals or float seems to be an issue with these, and the newer ones have engines from China. Maybe get an older used Tecumseh or B&S engine model?

imacman · Nov 4, 2012

Justin M said:
If you can afford it get a XG or XP model. The engines on those are made in Wisconsin. The engines on the GP series are made overseas and are not of the same quality.

XP are professional duty.....nice to have but the XG is probably plenty for homeowner. Same engine, same size gas tank, etc.

Caribfan · Nov 4, 2012

StihlHead said:
I am looking at the same gerneator here. I pulled out the old generator bypass wiring here as it was a rat's nest and done wrong. Power goes out here for about a week every winter. I just want to run direct extention cord lines to: the refer, some lights, the satellite internet and the well pump. The well pump is the issue with 5k size generators, as I need a 30 amp 220v with enough oomph to deal with the start-up of the pump and refer at the same time. Or I could unplug one and charge the pressure tank, and then plug in the refer and run it manually. The rest I can deal with but I need water, some lights and to keep the food from spoiling. The wood stove keeps the house warm w/o any power.

Reading online the Generac 5500 gets good reviews, 4.5 stars with 150 reviews in HD, 3 stars with 23 reviews on Amazon. Main complaint is that its heavy, it is not CARB compliant for CA use, and many carbs or tanks have gas leaks. The carb seals or float seems to be an issue with these, and the newer ones have engines from China. Maybe get an older used Tecumseh or B&S engine model?

Yes, I see there seems to be some problems with carb/float. Many complaints about the customer service and warrenty also. The deeper I dig, the more reluctant I get about this model.

Caribfan · Nov 4, 2012

imacman said:
XP are professional duty.....nice to have but the XG is probably plenty for homeowner. Same engine, same size gas tank, etc.

Good info. Thanks

Cleetussnow · Nov 4, 2012

That is the generator I have and it is great so far. I ran it for 80 hrs straight, and then changed the oil, then kept going another 20 hours. It handled my fridge, pellet stove, tv Xbox, lights, and my neighbors fridge as well as lights there, no problems. I used good surge protectors, and turned everything off before I shut it down to refuel. All electronics are fine.

It is loud, but I paid 25 bucks for some rigid insulation at hd and made a house for it kept the noise way down.

Really good for the money. I got it for 600 on eBay, with delivery.

Cleetussnow · Nov 4, 2012

StihlHead said:
I am looking at the same gerneator here. I pulled out the old generator bypass wiring here as it was a rat's nest and done wrong. Power goes out here for about a week every winter. I just want to run direct extention cord lines to: the refer, some lights, the satellite internet and the well pump. The well pump is the issue with 5k size generators, as I need a 30 amp 220v with enough oomph to deal with the start-up of the pump and refer at the same time. Or I could unplug one and charge the pressure tank, and then plug in the refer and run it manually. The rest I can deal with but I need water, some lights and to keep the food from spoiling. The wood stove keeps the house warm w/o any power.

Reading online the Generac 5500 gets good reviews, 4.5 stars with 150 reviews in HD, 3 stars with 23 reviews on Amazon. Main complaint is that its heavy, it is not CARB compliant for CA use, and many carbs or tanks have gas leaks. The carb seals or float seems to be an issue with these, and the newer ones have engines from China. Maybe get an older used Tecumseh or B&S engine model?

Mine leaked at the fuel line on/off switch. I fixed it in 2 minutes. I think mine was a factory return bc of that, but I snugged some connecttions with Teflon tape and viola.

New Hampshire Jim · Nov 4, 2012

I had a Generac 5500 series a few years ago and I was OK for running small draw household devices. As you stated you are on a well. I also have one. I ran into a problem when the family tried to take showers and the boiler and well pump lit off at the same time. Not a good thing for a small generator. I would have to run to the transfer switch and turn breakers on and off. I got tired of doing this very quickly I ended up selling the 5500 and bought a Generac XG 8000 that will handle all the needs through a 10 breaker transfer switch and deliver clean power. I do run the pellet stove through a cyberpower 1500 UPS just to be safe. but when the power is going to be out for any length of time I will run the oil furnace. I figure $10.00 in oil is cheaper than finding a frozen and burst pipe in a wall

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Generac GP5500????

Caribfan

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fevest

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jtakeman

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Caribfan

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Justin M

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StihlHead

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imacman

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Caribfan

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New Hampshire Jim

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