Call for Questions - (802) 863 5513

Most Frequently Asked Questions about Generators

What sizes are offered?
- Propane or natural gas operated 8KW-150KW
- Diesel operated 7KW - 35KW
- Most homes require a 14KW unit to back-up a majority of the house loads.

Oil recommendation:
a. Break in oil is in the unit following manufacturing. b. Synthetic 5W30 every 200 hours. We deliver the generator with synthetic oil. c. Mimimum oil change = annually.

Self exercise:
Initiated on generator or transfer switch; will repeat at the same time of day weekly and operate for approximately 10 minutes.

Support pad:
Air cooled are bolted to a composite pad and are placed on a pressure treated wood frame with crushed stone for drainage. Liquid cooled models are installed on concrete base or a pressure treated base with drainage stone. We can provide this base on the same day as delivery. Concrete bases to be provided by Owner or general contractor. 7 and 11KW diesel units are placed on a composite pad or 6x6 pressure treated base over drainage stone.

Fuel Supply:
All units (except for Kubota diesel) can operate on LP or Natural Gas. The conversion is done in our shop prior to delivery at no charge. We test the unit at our facility before delivering to the customer. Diesel units can use #2 home heating fuel by pumping the heating oil from the indoor tank to the generator located outdoors. Biodiesel fuel will reduce KW output of Kubota units.

Winter starting:
Our liquid cooled units can be equipped with thermostatically controlled block heaters. The block heater will be automatically turned of when the outside temperature reaches approximately 35 degrees. Air cooled units do not require auxiliary heating for cold weather starting.

Who makes the engine?
Liquid Cooled Units: Ford, Dodge, General Motors, and Mitsubishi provide most engines used by Generac and Kohler. Air Cooled Units: engines are built by: Generac and Kohler. Kubota manufactures the engine and genset for their units.

Engine Governor:
Air cooled units except the 8KW Guardian and Kohler 12RESL use an electronic governor. Kohler air cooled units use a digital control board that controls engine speed, system functions and voltage. Liquid cooled engines utilize an electronic governor utilizing a stepper motor for precise control. For computer based loads, an electronic governor and frequency/voltage regulator is recommended for precise output.

Fuel Consumption: (estimated @ 1/2 load.)
8KW – .82 gallon per hour.
10 KW – 1.25 gallon per hour.
14 KW – 1.55 gallon per hour.
17KW air cooled – 2.0 gallon per hour.
200 gallons of propane are a minimum requirement for the small units. Fuel demands are more challenging in cold temperatures. Depending on the price of natural gas, it should not cost more than $5 per month to run the unit in test mode for an air cooled unit.

Consumption considerably increases as the power load increases.

Pricing – See our Prices page or call our office at 802-863-5513 for custom prices.
An on site evaluation can be arranged at no charge within a 25 mile radius of our shop; a $100.00 charge will apply to site visits outside 25 miles (refundable with generator purchase).

Is 3 phase power available?
Yes – from 20KW to 150KW with voltages of 277/480 or 120/208.

Delivery:
Typically 2 weeks, however, we have several air cooled units in stock.

Warrantee:
Generac air cooled: 3 years parts and labor.
Generac liquid cooled: 2 years parts and labor.
Kohler: 5 years or 2,000 hours parts and labor (years 3, 4, and 5 parts only).
Kubota: 2 years or 2,000 hours parts and labor complete plus 3rd year or 3,000 hours on major engine parts only.

Off utility grid no warranty except for Kubota units.

Preventative Maintenance:
Packages are available; typically $500 per year for 2 comprehensive services, or $300.00 for an annual service. Price is based on location and generator size; see our website for sample. This service is automatically scheduled and a report is provided to you upon completion. We can quote a preventative maintenance price to you upon request.

Computer Loads?
If loads are substantially computer related, because of the high crest factor a multiplier of 2.5 must be used. Example: 5000 watts of computer load would require a 13KW generator.

Special loads:
Well pumps, hot tubs, air conditioners, and welders all require special consideration when sizing generators. Motor starting (LRA) can require several times the operating amperage (FLA). Approximately 1.75 KW is required for a 1 HP motor i.e. 7KW = 4 HP max (with no other loads).

Time before emergency system restores power:
Under 30 seconds, completely automatic. You do not have to be home.

Can the entire house be powered by the system?
Yes, if the loads are monitored by the householder and if the automatic transfer switch is sized at or above the service size. 100-400 amp automatic transfer switches are available for indoor and outdoor use. Larger generators above 20KW are recommended for large whole house operation.

Can the unit be installed in a garage or basement?
No, the enclosures are weatherproof and designed for outdoor installations.

Fuel oil or gas piping for LP or natural gas is not included, and can be completed by any propane supplier or licensed gas plumber.

Gas characteristics:
LP gas has more BTU output than natural gas, therefore a generator operating with LP gas produces more power. LP gas produces approximately 92K BTU per gallon. A 12KW generator operating at full load consumes 2.1 gallons per hour. 2.1 x 92K = 193K BTUs @ 11-14” water column. This would typically require ¾” piping. Propane weigh 4.2 pounds per gallon. 1 pound = 36.39 cubic feet.

Replacement parts:
Parts may be obtained through Reliant Electric Works for any service or repair needs.

Time to install:
Typically 14-35 man-hours, over 1 or 2 days.

Is a battery required?
Yes, we provide a 550 CCA 12V automobile type battery with the units at approximately $88.00. A battery charger is included with the generators.

Service Area:
Our installation and service area is an approximately 50 mile radius of the Burlington Airport.

Hour Meters
We require an hour meter on all units for maintenance purposes.
Kubota and Kohler units include hour meters. Generac includes an hour meter on all air cooled units, except 8KW unit.

Weight?
Small air cooled units weigh about 400 pounds and are about 2’ x 4’. Liquird cooled units weigh between 1,000 and 3,000 pounds and are about 75” long, 28” deep and 45” tall. Lighter, rust resistant aluminum enclosures are available on many Generac models. The 7KW Kubota weighs 518 pounds with dimensions of 42x24x27”.

Sound?
60-75 decibel at 21’ is to be expected. A lower sound exercise mode and sound attenuated enclosures are available. 60 decibel is about the sound of a vacuum cleaner and 75 decibel is much like a lawn tractor. The Kohler 12KW is at 64DB; the 12KW Generac is about 71DB. The quiet source Generac is under 65DB. The Kubota is about 66DB. 60-68DB range is acceptable to most close neighbors or noise restricted neighborhoods.

Cost to Operate:
Small LP gas units may use 1.5 GPH depending on load while diesel units may use 0.75 GPH. The diesel units cost roughly ½ the amount to operate.

Fuel Tank Required:
Because the evaporation of liquid propane into gas is slow in cold temperatures, we recommend a minimum of 200 gallons propane. A horizontal tank of 250 gallons or more is superior to vertical tanks because of the increased liquid surface area.

Life Expectancy?
A properly maintained unit should provide 10-20 years of operation with stand by power use. The liquid cooled units are designed for more continuous duty and should provide over 10,000 hours of run life. The diesel units should last 10,000 – 20,000 hours.

Delivery?
After the system is tested in our shop, we can deliver the generator to almost any remote location using a small tilt trailer and small all-terrain delivery vehicle.

Do I have to pay sales tax?
No, if the generator is to be installed by us as part of your real estate improvements. We pay sales tax on materials purchased in bulk for our projects.

Yes, if the unit is purchased from our shop to be installed by others.

24 hour service:
Yes, using our pager system: 863-5513 option 3

Website:
See us at: www.reliantelectric.biz