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This newest Generac 16,000 W standby generator (16LP/15NG) with aluminum case works as advertised, handling the full load of starting a 3.5 ton A/C, hot water heater (while heating), electric range top (2 burners on high) , electric oven (on at 350 degrees), microwave and all lights in a good sized home, when fully broken in. It's improved capacity can start up a 5-ton a/c unit or two (2) 4-ton a/c units.
This is more load than I need it to do, in actual usage, and it handles it just fine.
This is for light home/small business generating work, perhaps running 10-14 hours a day with full load for several weeks a year, longer hours with 1/2 load, and changing oil and filter more often than yearly to be real safe...Obviously your mileage will vary, and ask the dealer if another larger one is for you if you need more steady high loads. It's rated to last 3,000 hours.
It isn't a heavy duty commercial grade water cooled car engine type or diesel one made to run 24/7 with full load for months...and nor is it that price!
May you and I never need it, however I and others recommend this brand highly.
Pour a roughly 5 x 3 foot slab and or or a 5 x 5.5 foot cleared pea gravel bed on high ground >3 feet from your home, near the power distribution box and not too far from your gas source. Hope your bedroom wall isn't there, cuz even this "quiet" one is moderately noisy when running at it's full load mode when it's right next to you!
Be aware that it does need a ~$60 battery, 8 foot grounding rod, two quarts of synthetic oil, and a replacement generac oil filter to get you started and through the 4 hour break in period. Changing the oil is easy-just remove two bolts, the front panel comes off, and the filter and a draining hose for the oil are easy to get to. The maximum ambient temperature is 104 degrees...do not operate it in temperatures higher than this!
The generator cost is only the start of your entire costs..definitely shop for electricians, propane tank/NG gas installation and hookup, cost of pouring a slab,etc. There can be a 2x difference in quoted prices. Make sure someone gets you through the break in stage if you are not electrically/mechanically minded, and someone can adjust the valve clearance of the engine after 6 months of use.
If you are concerned about locking the top, this will not put your mind at ease...a 10 year old can pop off the unit's top quickly, as only one handle has this chintzy plastic "lock" (and two keys). This "lock" had the silly plastic cylinder pull out, stuck to the key! Perhaps a locksmith can find a replacement and put in a serious metal, not toy-like plastic lock!
If you are looking to use standby generator for home use after a hurricane, flood, snowstorm or similar long power outage, this is good for you. The aluminum housing is going to last longer than steel in wet/salt air regions. My neighbors had the earlier 15,000 watt versions running during the weeks without regular power after hurricanes in Florida, and the generators performed without problems. (A year later, one steel enclosure is starting to rust a bit). The top of my generator is slightly concave, so water pools on top...perhaps they will in the future make the tops slightly convex in the future, to shed water and dirt.
There are some significant improvements in the whole set up for the 16,000 over the prior 15,000 watt (besides getting a somewhat quieter engine, ability to run more air conditioning capacity,and add a few more circuits). Two separate electricians who have installed many units, said that this newer 16,000 Watt generator was WELL worth the extra
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