Generac Standby Generator Reviews
Summary
Features:
Power: 6KW Amps @120: 50 Amps @240: 25 Circuits: 8 Switch: 100 Amp
Media Gallery for Generac Standby Generator
Latest Reviews
★☆☆☆☆
“Not dependable at all”
Written on: 17/06/2013
The needle valve in the carb freezes up after sitting for only 1 month. I've had to take it apart 2 times already , and it's not even 1 year old. I'll see if the company will help me with this problem, but judging from these other posts, I'm not optimistic! (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“Poor quality made in Chine - prone to failure”
Written on: 09/05/2013 by Moosekevin
I bought my Generac Centurian generator approx. 3 years ago and as of today I will have spent more money in repairs that it cost me to buy it originally. It has spent more time in the repair shop that it has run. My problem has been the float getting stuck - despite running the gas dry and changing the oil after 40 - 50 hours of run time the float gets stuck. Generac is unwilling to assist with any repair costs and blames me for the issue, although their customer service rep agreed I am... (read more)
★★★★☆
“6 years no problem but rusted case”
Written on: 20/02/2013 by mecheng1 (1 review written)
Well touch wood, contrary to many of these reviews I have had my Centurion 15KW air cooled generator for 6 years now and it has perfomed perfectly. I live on the Gulf of Mexico on the water near Tampa and it has fired up every week for the exercise period and whenever we have lost power. I have replaced the battery once and I change the oil and plugs every year. I gave it 4 stars because the casing has rusted since we are on the water. I have repainted it but wish I had sprung for the... (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“Failure after 4 days”
Written on: 29/11/2012 by madtom
My 14KW Generac failed after 115 hours of use (4 days into hurricane Sandy). Our power was out for 12 days! Could reach no one at the company - only call centers which could not help in any way. Finally repaired a month later! Apparent problem with design of brushes/brush holder with too much pressure on the brushes causing them to wear quickly and to heat up enough to melt the plastic brush holder! I am telling everyone not to buy Generac! (read more)
★★★★★
“Lack of reliability”
Written on: 07/11/2012
Despite being only a few years old, regular testing, and regular maintenance, this generator failed during Sandy. The maintenance people couldn't fix it -- now want over $1k for parts. This product is awful. (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“Failed 3 times in 15 months -Extremely poor customer...”
Written on: 24/10/2012 by DanelE (2 reviews written)
Please consider our experience before purchasing an 8KW Generac 5870: I am a retired electrical contractor and am quite familiar with generator systems. Installed July 2011. Battery charging module in control panel failed immediately. Replaced battery in early August assuming that was the problem. New battery failed (completely discharged) end of August: we contacted Generac. Diagnosed as defective control panel. It took 1½ months more - October 15 - before new panel was installed. We then... (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“Do not buy from Generac”
Written on: 08/02/2012 by tondapatterson
we have had problems with this product since we have put it in. Always has a problem with not starting. Never buy a Generac. If you call factory for help it is useless. 14 KW Generator Model#0058840. (read more)
★★☆☆☆
“Manufacturer Customer Service”
Written on: 03/12/2011 by fllobo (1 review written)
I have a 14kw unit, model 0058720. The unit appears well built and, so far, reasonably dependable. Owner customer service from the mfgr however is far less than satisfactory. All reasonable questions are redirected to a dealer and will not be answered directly. I purchased a engine oil/battery heater for cold weather use. The instructions gave no info regarding fusing requirements. Now, each time the warmer starts (thermostaticly controlled) two sensing fuses blow and the generator... (read more)
★☆☆☆☆
“Do Not purchase Generac, Poor Service, Inexperienced...”
Written on: 27/09/2011
Purchased Generac 7kw unit in 2007. In 2010 unit kept tripping on Low Oil pressure, phoned local authorized dealer who came out and said "Main Controller Board" needs replacing, $400.00. Replaced Board, shortly after unit continued tripping on LOP, I replaced new Board with the original which I sent back. I then phoned Generac to discuss the problem but they refused to talk to me because I "was not an authorized dealer". I then installed a pressure gauge which confirmed any where between... (read more)
Grahamisted's Comment
Written on: 10/01/2012
HarrisonFire comment.
My problem was never the control Board even though they tried to sell me one. It was the Oil pressure system. Try bypassing the switch and see how long it runs for, if it runs for say 5minutes then next step is to replace the switch with a gauge and see what pressure is this will tell you a lot.
Good luck.
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★★☆☆☆
“Two of use and blown controller board. ”
Written on: 23/09/2011 by Archer3 (1 review written)
I own the Generac Guardian 05244 Propane 16KW version. It was installed in the fall of 2009. After hurricane Irene we attempted to use it but would not start. We found a blown 15A fuse, I knew this could not be a good sign. After replacing the fuse it would run but a relay was cycling/clicking continuously when in the off mode. I attempted to call Guardian to get tech support for trouble shooting given the unit is located on an out island in the Caribbean. They were no help and directed... (read more)
Grahamisted's Response to Archer3's Review
Written on: 28/09/2011
Check out a Briggs and Stratton.
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See next 10 reviews
Showing 1 - 10 of 18 Reviews
★☆☆☆☆
“Generac are Awful”
Written on: 08/07/2011
Generac finds any excuse (not valid ones) to honor its warranty. They play games with you when you call them and refuse to discuss where in your warranty you are not covered. They refuse to even refer to the warranty when discussing the issue with them. Last, they will not correspond in writing at all b/c they know what they are saying are complete lies. (read more)
Guest's Comment
Written on: 08/07/2011
Generac finds any excuse to NOT honor its warranty.
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Grahamisted's Comment
Written on: 28/09/2011
I know the feeling only too well.
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★★★★☆
“I purchased the Generac 20KW air-cooled home standby...”
Written on: 15/09/2009 by kratos1971 (1 review written)
I purchased the Generac 20KW air-cooled home standby generator from a local electrical contractor and Generac Dealer who provides sales, installation, service and warranty. The contractor did a wonderful job orienting me with the generator after it was installed and the unit has been put to the test twice in just the past year for extended times. With all mechanical equipment the generator needs to have scheduled maintenance like my car to keep it in good running order. During the power... (read more)
☆☆☆☆☆
“The generac standby generator was great for exactly...”
Written on: 11/06/2009 by Teresa H
The generac standby generator was great for exactly two weeks! we have had it 10 months but actually here on our place maybe five as it has been in the service/repair for generac most of the time and right now it has been 4 weeks gone again for the 4th time. Generac says,too bad. Make the retailer make it good The retailer says the same thing in reverse. We have talked to anyone that might help us and no one can. They can not even give an estimate as to when the parts may come in because... (read more)
☆☆☆☆☆
“This is a 15 KW Model 0046661 propane standby home...”
Written on: 18/12/2008 by george Irvin (1 review written)
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...
(read more)
☆☆☆☆☆
“I had a 60KW whole house Generac Standby Generator...”
Written on: 23/10/2008 by bobtx77356 (1 review written)
I had a 60KW whole house Generac Standby Generator installed and when Hurricane Ike hit us the generator failed to turn on due to an "overspeed alarm" . I was able to reset the alarm and start the generator but it only ran about 24 hours and shut down. The installer inspected the generator and found that the plastic idler pully on the fan belt had shattered. He contacted Generac but they were unable to furnish him with a replacemant pully and could not even give him a part description so he... (read more)
☆☆☆☆☆
“Have 3 liquid cooled 20kw gens. Generac Standby...”
Written on: 17/07/2008 by spicytabasco (1 review written)
Have 3 liquid cooled 20kw gens. Generac Standby Generator QTO 20 models. All 3 were split apart for warranty repair, then repair must not have lined something up properly. Two of the 3 starters died. One gen had cooling problems, we simply replaced it rather than continue to flog a dead horse. This gen arrived with broken radiator cap, then would run for 2 minutes and go into overheat shutdown. It also had brushes stuck and burned up ATS. Service was $85per hour plus mileage. I burned up... (read more)
☆☆☆☆☆
“We also have our second circuit board and it is not...”
Written on: 21/03/2008 by cahark (1 review written)
We also have our second circuit board and it is not working properly! We have spent over a $1000 for maintenance and work on this generator and have owned it less than 3 years! Our maintenance people now tell us not to use Generac. (read more)
☆☆☆☆☆
“The Generac Standby Generator does run, but the...”
Written on: 23/10/2007 by THOMASCATUS (1 review written)
The Generac Standby Generator does run, but the circuit boards are junk. I have watched 2 different authorized Generac dealers replace board after board, only to find the replacement boards faulty. I have seen these same techs wait for hours, literally hours, on hold to get a code to access the firmware/software config for the generator transfer switch. And get this, if the wrong boards fail, the generator will not even run manually. The Generac factory is now researching the problem for a... (read more)
overview
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• All the star ratings the company/product has received,
• The number of reviews
• How recent the reviews are
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Harrisonfire's Comment
Written on: 29/12/2011
A co-worker brought me a Generac 5500XL (owned by a little old lady) that would not run for more than 10 seconds. Removed the fuel bowl and let out the bad gas from last time it ran then changed the oil and filter.(smelled of fuel - thin too) Added new gas and it started right up and ran well for about 30 seconds. Watched the low oil light - it flickered every time the motor died. Keeps right on running with the 3 wire connector unplugged. How did you cure your control board? I can see how to bypass a direct wired oil pressure switch with an override switch to break the curcuit when starting. Sounds like the "Main Controller Board" has been a sore subject for many owners. Thanks for any help.