Residential Standby Generators - Onan, Kohler, other

 Decided to install a natural-gas stanby generator.  I have propane now, but
will am having natural gas run to my house specifically for the generator.
Propane will act as backup fuel (with a simple conversion, of course) so in
the unlikely event that both electricity and gas go out, I still have power.
Don't need much, just enough to run the well pump, furnace, hot water
heater, and a couple of other key devices like perhaps the refrigerator.
Making sure that an extended outage, especially in winter, doesn't cause me
to have to leave because I have no heat or water.

Pretty much got it narrowed down to the Onan RS12000 or the Kohler 11RMY,
very similar generators.  I've compared specs, researched the engines, and
pretty much now the minor differences.  I'm looking for any real-world
experience or advice, about these generators specifically, Onan vs. Kohler
in general, or any other advice that might be helpful.

Thanks in advance.

  wrote:


Go with the one that turns at the lower RPM.  When I was looking for a
backup for my off-grid system, the ONAN was a 3600 rpm unit and the Kohler
was an 1800 rpm unit.  Also, the Kohler had a much better warranty.  That
may not be as important in a backup situation.

Also, I do not believe you can rig up a simple "switch" to go between NG
and propane.  I'm pretty sure you have to at least change nozzles, and
there may be more involved.


-- ron  (off the grid in Downeast Maine)

 Both the Onan P224 engine and the Kohler CH25 are two-cylinder, air-cooled
engines that turn at 3600.  And yes, it's not just turning a switch, but the
conversion from NG to propane is something that I could do myself
(field-switchable).  Thanks.



generator.

 wrote:


Well, you made me go and look at my manual.  What I have is the Kohler 12RZ
which has a Ford engine.  Obviously a different beast than the one you are
looking at.

But I do note something interesting which you may want to check on yours.
On mine, the rating is significantly higher on LP compared with natural
gas.  The natural gas rating on the 12 RZ is 9kW, while the LP rating is 12
kW.

Best,
 
-- ron  (off the grid in Downeast Maine)

 lp has a higher btu than natural gas.

--
Steve Spence
www.green-trust.org

air-cooled