Generac Standby Generator Review

Overall Rating

Auto start after 12 second power outage. Propane fuel. Auto started and exercised every Monday automatically.

Noise when running is undesirable. Failed when really needed not dependable

This is a 15 KW Model 0046661 propane standby home generator. Centurion brand made by Generac sold at Lowes stores. Also sold as Guardian at Home Depot stores. Essentially a new machine, failed totally during Hurricane Ike on the Gulf Coast in Sept 2008 when needed.

Several dealers would not drive less than 50 miles to service me. I could get only one Dealer to come out but not until Nov 4 After Hurricane Ike in September Over a month after the storm. I purchased a 15KW propane Centurion standby generator in Nov. 2005, but did not put it into service until Aug 2006, It has operated perfectly up until I needed it during Hurricane "Ike". It auto exercised every Monday and has auto started on at least 4 known power outages of short duration. It has about 20 hours exercise run time and about 6 hours loaded run time.

My whole Hurricane survival in the aftermath was planned and centered around the reliability and expectation of performance of this standby generator. That is the reason I purchased and installed it. When hurricane "Ike" hit and power was lost, it started up, according to a neighbor, but shutdown and will not continue to run. I can manually start it, but it shuts down after about 15 seconds. It was not under water, nor was it hit or damaged by any debris.

I found myself in the same shape everyone else was in. I had to go hustle up a gasoline small generator as my standby would not continue to run. When I really need it, it did not perform. That destroys my confidence in an automatic standby generator now. I could not get any service on it of course with all the activity after the storm.

It is really a sad commentary to spend that much money for storm protection and have it fail during a storm, which it was designed for. Something no more reliable than that is not worth much to me. I don't see how I could recommend anyone down here installing one only to have it fail. Something must be wrong with the quality and reliability of the Generac machines.

After an added $1000.00 expense to buy myself a portable generator after the storm, I'm of course not a real happy camper. I wish I had not purchased the Generac now.

I have power restored now so I'm getting back to normal. Having a hard time finding someone to come check it out. I guess when things are settled down I may be able to get someone.

Service call on 11-4-08 Diagnosis by Technician: Stater Shorted out. $241.25, total charge $170.00 call out and 17.25 for .75 hrs analytical. Generator is worthless now. Total loss of initial investment because it was slightly over on warranty.