Looking for Answers about Generac Power Systems 14kW Guardian Series Automatic Standby Generator?

If the outage is only for a few seconds, the control board would not as the generator to start.

The limit of distance is your budget for wire and depending on the placement of fuel source, the piping. At 100 feet between the Gen-Set and the Transfer Switch / Panel, I would recommend #4 copper wire type THHN in PVC conduit, or #4 copper wire type USE in direct burial. The #4 AWG wire is recommended to minimize voltage drop and to minimize amperage draw of motorized equipment. The advantage of installing conduit is that it does not need to be burried as deep and the control circuit wiring can be placed in the same conduit as the power wiring. Please verify wire sizing and grounding requirements of your local authority having jurisdiction. If utilizing natural gas, in order to minimize the pipe size, I suggest that you contact your local utility company and see if they will provide a 2 PSI source and place a regulator at the Gen-Set. If operating on Propane, either place the Tank in the vicinity of the Gen-Set, per local code, or run a medium pressure source to the Gen-Set and then place the low pressure regulator at the Gen-Set. Remember that in either case the Regulator Vent must be piped away from the Gen-Set for safety reasons. Remember to follow the recommended break-in procedure and to install the proper Engine Oil upon completion of the break-in period. Emergency use is not a substitute for proper break-in! Good Luck with your installation.

If a model 5872:

http://www.generac.com/SpecSheets/0186140SBY.pdf

Consult your local electrical codes for a final decision. However, Generac backup generators from 8 to 20kW can be installed as close as 18" from the home, if your local codes allow.

The answer depends upon how long you would like the generator to run continuously in a power outage. The 14kW Guardian Series consumes 2.30 gal/hr of liquid propane at full load. At that rate, you will have a little over 43 hours of continuous running time before your are out of fuel. You should size your propane fuel supply based upon how long you would want the generator to run in a power outage.

The only running requirements regarding LP fuel are regarding fuel pressure. At the generator inlet, fuel pressure must be 10 - 12" of water column for the generator to operate properly.

For additional fuel consumption information, please see the product spec sheet at http://www.generac.com/SpecSheets/0...

Generac does not recommend mounting the generator on a combustible surface of any kind. Additionally, there might be local building codes that preclude such an installation.

Local codes usually dictates 5 - 10' from the point of ignition. To comply with your local codes, we recommend discussing with your local building code authority.

The 14kW is 66dB under normal load and during the weekly self-test cycle. At this sound level, you can stil carry on a conversation while standing near the unit. In comparison, a portable generator will be louder.

I'm a contractor in NE and have 22 machines I ordered in early Nov. the ship date I got from Generac was 1/30 - 2/15.

Yes, Generac partners with a company called diversitech which sells "genpads" which have pre drilled/threaded holes inside which will mate to your generator to allow it to be bolted down creating a more secure installation.

You should stop it every 24 hours to inspect the oil level

The 14kW unit can cover a wide range of household appliances and items, however the exact items it can cover will vary for each application. The 14kW automatic standby generator is rated for a continuous output of 14,000 watts when utilizing propane, with a rated amperage of 58.3 amps at 240 volts. When utilizing natural gas, the unit is rated for a continuous output of 13,000 watts, with a rated amperage of 54.2 amps at 240 volts. You will want to ensure that all of the items you intend to run will not exceed this rating.

The 14kW automatic standby generator is designed to be run off of natural gas supplied by a utility line, or propane supplied by tank. The smallest propane tank a unit can run off of is 120 gallons. Natural gas is not able to be compressed in the same manner that propane is, so running off of a natural gas tank is not recommended. The volume and pressure required for the 14kW unit utilizing natural gas is 220,000 BTU/hr with 5-7” of water column, and if utilizing propane is 211,680 with 10-12” of water column.

The smallest propane tank we can recommend is a 120 gallon tank. The volume and pressure required for the 14kW unit utilizing liquid propane is 211,680 BTU/hr with 10-12” of water column. The 14kW unit will consume approximately 2.3 gallons per hour when operating at full load.

The smallest propane tank we can recommend is a 120 gallon tank. The volume and pressure required for the 14kW unit utilizing liquid propane is 211,680 BTU/hr with 10-12” of water column. The 14kW unit will consume approximately 2.3 gallons per hour when operating at full load, and will consume approximately 1.56 gallons per hour when operating at half load.

You will need to have a local plumber check the line for leaks and to make sure it is of the proper size BEFORE attempting to connect the unit. You will also need to make sure the line complies with all current codes in your area.

No, you cannot change how long the exercise cycle runs, although you can change the day and time that it runs.

We recommend using a Generac automatic transfer switch with the 14kW generator. To purchase the right switch for your application, find a dealer near you by using our dealer locator at http://www.generac.com/Service/Deal...

We recommend stopping the unit and checking the oil after 24 hours of straight operation and changing the oil and oil filter after 200 hours of operation. It may be necessary to top off the oil during an extended outage since all air cooled engines do consume a minor amount of oil.

To begin this process, turn off the breaker on the generator to take the load off of it. Then turn the auto/off/manual switch on the control panel to the off position. Once this is complete, an oil change can be done if required.

We design standby generators specifically for extended run times, so having it run for a week or longer is definitely possible. Your only limitation is the fuel type, meaning the size of your propane tank or the supply of natural gas. For natural gas at ½ load, the 14kW uses 156 cubic feet per hour. For liquid propane at ½ load, the 14kW uses 1.56 gallons per hour. Refer to the 14kW spec sheet for additional fuel consumption data. http://www.generac.com/SpecSheets/0...

We also recommend stopping the unit and checking the oil after 24 hours of straight operation and performing scheduled maintenance after 200 hours of operation.