Looking for Answers about Generac Power Systems 20kW Guardian Series Automatic Standby Generator A?

Scott, our installer poured a concrete pad and bolted our 20Kw Guardian to it. We just had a five-day outage, and cannot say enough good about this unit. It seamlessly kicked in, and just as seamlessly shut off when power was restored. It's much quieter than our old unit too. We're on a well, and our unit is hooked up to our LP tank, underground. No worries.

The previous 'answer' states the info about mounting too concrete is located in the Owner's Manual. I have Owner's Manual Rev A (06/01/11). Read the book from cover too cover and the only thing specified about concrete base slab is:

Reference page 11 Para 1.12.1

Special attention should be given to the concrete base slab which should exceed the length and width of the generator by a minimum of six (6) inches (0.152 meters) on all sides.

This is a difficult question to answer but we get it all the time. The equipment itself is a standard price. Installation is sometimes very simple depending on the location of the generator. We found that using the load centers can save customers a lot of money for time and materials for the electrical install. If the unit is propane, many times the propane company will install the piping for a lower price in order to gain you as a customer to buy fuel from. There are many variables with every installation. We usually can give customers a range on what it will cost based on previous installs. Best thing to do is call and have us come out to give you a more accurate price on the entire job. We offer turn key installation and back it up with certified tech's to handle any service/warranty work. We always have someone ready to answer your call and answer any questions you may have. - John - Bay State Generator

My cost of installation by a professional Generac dealer was roughly equivalent to the cost of the generator. Contact a local Generac dealer for a quote.

Like yourself, I want to be able to disaster test the generator.

After speaking with my professional installer, I determined that the best way for me to simulate a loss of utility power was to kill the utility power by opening the 200 amp breaker at the top of the Transfer Switch.

By opening the breaker I interrupt the utility power to my house,

As soon of the utility power is interrupted the generator will start. It will take about 30 seconds for the generator to come up to speed. At this point will will hear a chunking sound from the transfer switch as the internal power relay is thrown.

After this sound your house power will be running from the generator.

I would test for at least 15 minutes (to properly exercise the generator). To complete the test, close the 200 amp breaker in the transfer switch to simulate the return of utility power. The generator will run for a few minutes after utility power has been returned and then the generator will turn off.

You have then successfully battle tested the generator.

The 20kW automatic standby generator is designed to test itself weekly for 12 minutes when installed properly; this exercises the engine and produces electrical output. During the exercise time, you will not see a transfer of power, but the unit is still producing electricity. If you would like to simulate a power outage situation, you will want to contact your installing electrician, as they will be able to provide you safe instructions on how to simulate an outage. Another way to test the system is with our Advanced Wireless Remote Monitor, which will allow you to run the generator and transfer function while you still have utility present.

If you look closely at the meter you will see a rating for total CFH (Cubic Foot per Hour). The 200 KVa requires 290 CFH. If you have other gas appliances such as gas heat, etc you will need greater than a total of 290 CFH.

In Pennsylvania, PECO provides one of 3 meters, 270 CHF, 425 CHF, and 1000 CHF (this is a commercial meter). PECO upgraded me from a 270 to a 425 CHF meter and no cost.

I have attached a photo from my gas meter.

The yellow LED is a maintenance reminder light. To reset a maintenance reminder, press the Enter key on the control panel. The reminders will be displayed at the following intervals.

“Inspect Battery” 1 Year

“Change Oil & Filter” 200 hours or 2 years, 100 hours or 2 years on 20kW models

“Inspect Air Filter” 220 Hours or 2 years

“Change Air Filter” 200 Hours Or 2 years

“Inspect Spark Plugs” 220 Hours or 2 years

“Change spark Plugs” 400 hours or 10 years

There is a contact that the generator pulls to ground to signal the transfer switch to activate. I wired this contact to a relay. The output of this relay I ran to my alarm system. I get a text message and an indication on the alarm keypads when the generator has transferred to backup power. While this isn't exactly the indication you are looking for, it's pretty close. I also wired the generator "trouble" contact closure to the alarm system. With the combination of these two signals to my home alarm system, I'm pretty confident of the state of the generator.

The 20kW automatic standby generator meets NFPA 37 in regards to installation near a structure. Please see the attached diagram for installation distances. We recommend consulting with your local inspector as local codes may vary and will supersede manufacturers recommendations.

The 20kW automatic standby generator meets NFPA 37 in regards to installation near a structure. Minimum distance from a combustible surface, such as wood, is 5 feet. Please see the attached diagram for installation distances. We recommend consulting with your local inspector as local codes may vary and will supersede manufacturers recommendations.

During times where snowfall is expected, you will want to ensure that snow and/or ice is cleared off of, and away from, the enclosure. There should be no snow piles or large accumulations of snow within three feet of the unit to ensure proper air flow if the unit were needed in an outage. If necessary, due to local codes or in areas with high precipitation, the unit may be installed on a structural steel base to elevate the unit. The base for the unit must be level, and meet all spatial recommendations in the manual, as well as comply with local and national codes.

I got mine through Lowes model # 5951.cost $308.00 nice unit. start and stop or start and transfer power from sitting in my family room. monitor everything on the generator easy to install and well worth the money.

The 20kW unit can cover a wide range of household appliances and items, however the exact items it can cover will vary for each application. We are unable to determine if there are other installation options for you or your neighbor, as we are unable to see your existing set up. The 20kW automatic standby generator is rated for a continuous output of 20,000 watts when utilizing propane, with a rated amperage of 83.3 amps at 240 volts. When utilizing natural gas, the unit is rated for a continuous output of 18,000 watts, with a rated amperage of 75 amps at 240 volts. You will want to ensure that all of the items you intend to run will not exceed this rating. We recommend contacting your local certified Generac dealer, or local certified electrician for sizing and installation assistance.

From my gas meter to the generator I am running 1.5" flex pipe. I get a static reading of 6.5 inches of water with the generator off, and it drops to 6.2 with the generator running in test mode.

I have yet to test it under full load conditions.

Hello Chaz:
Same problem
I wanted to keep the AC and DC wiring seperate from the same conduit and spoke to the electrician that was about to wire the unit up for me and he agreed that they should be kept separate. I let him drill another hole for the DC wiring. I agree there should be another knockout.

Hello Dan..
I had a RPM sensor fail on my unit 2 weeks ago. I reset at the control panel several times, no help. After a third attempt at a start the engine cranked and tried to start and i noticed an arcing the insulation acted like a mirror and it caught my eye. I saw that one nut on the stud of the starter solenoid was loose and rotated far enough to make contact with the opposite stud.
I saw that the nut didn't have a lock washer underneath it. I installed a lock washer and the next start worked fine. no problem since then. This is something worth looking at. hope this helps.

The unit ATS has load shedding capabilities... your fine my friend..

Wolf

Baby it's cold outside and you like others want the best for the investment.. let it run on the oil it came shipped with for 10 hrs...engine run time that is... then do a swap with the oil filter and synthetic oil..you can't go wrong..everyone is talking about the same issue that we both have...I know it's alot $ we have invested..Synthetic is the way to go..relax palomine just do it..I'm on the same coast as you.. Baby it's cold outside...

The 20kW automatic standby generator will monitor the battery to ensure it is capable of starting the engine. If the generator is displaying a Low Battery alarm, this will indicate that the battery will not be able to allow the engine to start. A Low Battery alarm is typically accompanied by a red LED. If the generator is displaying an Inspect Battery warning, it will be accompanied by a yellow LED. To reset the Inspect Battery alarm at the control panel, navigate to the Edit menu, and to the Reset Maintenance option. Once at Reset Maintenance, choose Yes and hit the ENTER key. The maintenance reminder will reappear in 1 year’s time. Please see the attached menu map for assistance.
If the generator is in fact displaying Low Battery, we recommend to remove the battery and have it tested, either on a separate charger or at an automotive supply store. If the battery is determined to be low, or in poor condition, replace the battery. If the battery is determined to be in good condition, we would recommend to contact a local certified servicing technician for service on the generator. To locate a certified servicing technician, search your postal code here: http://www.generac.com/Service/Deal....

The minimum distance the automatic standby generator can be placed from a structure or the transfer switch is 18” from the back side where fuel and wiring connections are made. Please see the attached placement guide for assistance. We recommend speaking to your inspector to verify installation distances, as local and state codes vary.

23 hrs at a time with a break for an hour.. to check oil level in the unit ...I calculate at the current price for NG. To be $32.00 and change a day..not a bad price for piece of mind .. Wife and kids are happy.. The Utility Company could care less if you have power at their convienyence.... Those crews love the overtime and trust me they take their time to get power restored to your home... So do you really care how much when you have you and your family taken care of??