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Anyone running the predator 13k generator?
Posted on 7/31/24 at 9:12 pm
Posted on 7/31/24 at 9:12 pm
I've been going back and forth over a whole home gen set and I finally broke it down by cost per hour of expected use over a 10 year period.
Let's just say I didn't like the number.
At all.
And after calculating out what I could run with 10kw, it also seems kind of pointless.
Let's just say I didn't like the number.
At all.
And after calculating out what I could run with 10kw, it also seems kind of pointless.
9
Posted on 7/31/24 at 9:17 pm to X123F45
Mind sharing the numbers runout
Posted on 7/31/24 at 9:17 pm to X123F45
I do not. I have the predator inverter 8250/7000 and it runs my house 2800sq ft. 2 hard start kits on 2.5 ton and 3 ton ACs. Only run one at a time but turn temp down. Also have gas cooking appliances and water heaters
Posted on 7/31/24 at 9:40 pm to X123F45
I just went through the same thought process. I've had a whole house generator at the previous house. Always had issues when I needed it. For this house I put in a 50 amp plug and transfer switch. Using a smaller generator now but plan to get a larger one that puts out the full 50 amps. Will keep the smaller one as a backup too. Biggest reason I didn't go whole house is the worry about natural gas pressure. When all the generators kick on around here the lights outside don;t stay lit.
Posted on 7/31/24 at 10:54 pm to X123F45
I bought the champion 11,500k gen that runs ~7,500k on NG. It powers the house via a 50 amp inlet and can start up two 2 ton ACs w/o soft starts. The second one will dim the lights while starting, but it turns over. It had no chance starting my 5 ton even with all other stuff off though. I'm probably in for $1,400 between generator, 50 amp inlet, power cord, wiring, interlock and NG fittings (all DIY).
Posted on 7/31/24 at 11:22 pm to Bow08tie
quote:
Mind sharing the numbers runout
Assuming, 5-6 outages per year. Most 2-3 hours in length. One a day or more.
Expected livespan 10 years.
15k ÷ 378ish hours of use. $40 per hour... Before fuel and maintenance.
If the predator lasts 40 hours of run time, its still cheaper
Hell it's cheaper to throw it away every 50 hours
This post was edited on 7/31/24 at 11:26 pm
Posted on 7/31/24 at 11:33 pm to X123F45
If you don't get a standby you won't be able to casually mention how the power went out last week but thankfully the generator kicked on and yall hardly noticed.
That and no GENERAC sticker to go next to the 30A sticker on the back glass.
That and no GENERAC sticker to go next to the 30A sticker on the back glass.
Posted on 7/31/24 at 11:35 pm to Turnblad85
The generator has a key fob. I think I can make that work
Posted on 8/1/24 at 8:33 am to X123F45
quote:
Assuming, 5-6 outages per year. Most 2-3 hours in length. One a day or more.
seems excessive.
I've been in my house in Baton Rouge for 9 years and i'ts probably been 5-6 outages during that time that actually mattered, and only two or three times was it for more than a day.
quote:
Expected livespan 10 years.
My Briggs and Stratton 5750kW generator is 16 years old, still cranks on the first pull every time. Don't put ethanol in your generator and use stabil.
I can run one of my 4.5 ton AC's, 2 fridge/freezer, all the ligths/fans, and a microwave easily on that generator.
13kW is a big arse generator. You'd definitely be able to run everything, but do you actually need to? Do you really need to wash clothes and dry them, while you cook a roast in the oven for 10 hours with both AC units running? I think finding one in the 8-9kW range is a smarter option. get a soft start for the AC instead of buying a bigger generator. You aren't using that much electricity outside of the AC's, and they aren't using that much after startup.
In my opinion, having a generator that can run the essentials at night and last at least 8 hours on one tank of gas is extremely important, at least to me.
This post was edited on 8/1/24 at 8:34 am
Posted on 8/1/24 at 8:34 am to X123F45
Wife is happy in the AC. Wife is not happy with no AC and she makes me miserable. Home generator solves this.
Posted on 8/1/24 at 8:47 am to TeddyPadillac
quote:
13kW is a big arse generator.
Keep in mind Predator rates theirs on peak power on gasoline.
The Predator 13k is actually only good for 7800 running watts on NG. So it’s not that big and probably the right size for a portable home backup generator.
Posted on 8/1/24 at 8:58 am to LSUtigerME
quote:
Keep in mind Predator rates theirs on peak power on gasoline.
The Predator 13k is actually only good for 7800 running watts on NG. So it’s not that big and probably the right size for a portable home backup generator.
I assume he's running gasoline, not NG.
As others have stated, running NG can have it's issues with the proper pressure when everyone else is using more gas than normal b/c the power is out.
Posted on 8/1/24 at 9:08 am to X123F45
There's two ways to go with a portable generator, either you want to try and run your central air so you get a 10,000-12,000 watt generator, or you don't want to run your central air so you get a 6,500 watt generator.
That said, there are some standby's out there that aren't far from the price of a portable.
Briggs has a 13kw (11.5kw ng) for $4200 with a 7 year warranty.
Kohler has a 12kw (11kw ng) for $3750
Kohler also has a 10kw (9kw ng) for $3475 that can start a 3 ton AC unit with a pre load.
Champion has a 12.5kw (11kw ng) WITH automatic transfer switch for $3700.
You don't have to have a big $12,000 22kw standby and an automatic transfer switch. There are options out there. Any quality portable generator with 10kw continuous will be at least $2,000 - $2,500, up to $4,000 - $4,500, especially if converting to natural gas.
ETA: inadequate natural gas supply for the neighborhood / your house is either a problem or it isn't. There are solutions to that problem also.
That said, there are some standby's out there that aren't far from the price of a portable.
Briggs has a 13kw (11.5kw ng) for $4200 with a 7 year warranty.
Kohler has a 12kw (11kw ng) for $3750
Kohler also has a 10kw (9kw ng) for $3475 that can start a 3 ton AC unit with a pre load.
Champion has a 12.5kw (11kw ng) WITH automatic transfer switch for $3700.
You don't have to have a big $12,000 22kw standby and an automatic transfer switch. There are options out there. Any quality portable generator with 10kw continuous will be at least $2,000 - $2,500, up to $4,000 - $4,500, especially if converting to natural gas.
ETA: inadequate natural gas supply for the neighborhood / your house is either a problem or it isn't. There are solutions to that problem also.
This post was edited on 8/1/24 at 9:14 am
Posted on 8/1/24 at 9:47 am to X123F45
my opinion on the matter:
Want to be able to run other high power electric appliances (oven, dryer, hot water heater, etc.) along with the AC? -> whole home backup generator
Want to run the AC, refrigerators, electronics and don't mind turning off the AC to run any other high power electric appliance -> Big portable generator with an inlet and an interlock
Want to be able to run other high power electric appliances (oven, dryer, hot water heater, etc.) along with the AC? -> whole home backup generator
Want to run the AC, refrigerators, electronics and don't mind turning off the AC to run any other high power electric appliance -> Big portable generator with an inlet and an interlock
Posted on 8/1/24 at 10:10 am to DVinBR
Call me crazy but send your wife and kids to stay with family or to Houston, Biloxi, or Gulf shores. Its easier to get a small generator and a window unit and get them away for a couple of days anyway.
If you want it strictly as a luxury its going to have a luxury cost. If your wife has a great job and needs to work, that's different. Most of the time power is out though places like schools and what not are shut down.
ETA: We have started to book a hotel the minute we are in a cone with 24 hour cancellation. As soon as we are safe, we unbook. My wife freaks with storms and I don't want her around anyway. Hang with the guys somewhere safe and move on with life.
If you want it strictly as a luxury its going to have a luxury cost. If your wife has a great job and needs to work, that's different. Most of the time power is out though places like schools and what not are shut down.
ETA: We have started to book a hotel the minute we are in a cone with 24 hour cancellation. As soon as we are safe, we unbook. My wife freaks with storms and I don't want her around anyway. Hang with the guys somewhere safe and move on with life.
This post was edited on 8/1/24 at 10:13 am
Posted on 8/1/24 at 10:13 am to TeddyPadillac
quote:
I've been in my house in Baton Rouge for 9 years and i'ts probably been 5-6 outages during that time
I live at the end of a 14 mile 2 lane road. My electricity comes from 41ish miles away... Also on two lane roads.
Any outtages further up will affect me.
quote:
My Briggs and Stratton 5750kW generator is 16 years old,
And my small honda generators are 38 years old
the two products are unfortunately not comparable. quote:
13kW is a big arse generator. You'd definitely be able to run everything, but do you actually need to? Do you really need to wash clothes and dry them, while you cook a roast in the oven for 10 hours with both AC units running? I think finding one in the 8-9kW range is a smarter option.
13k will likely not run everything in my home. Ideally, I'd like to be able to run a new carrier 5 ton variable unit, a refrigerator, all led lights, router, TV and fans. We are all electric.
I have no problem shutting down the AC to heat water, and shutting down both to do laundry if it extends past two days.
quote:
You aren't using that much electricity outside of the AC's, and they aren't using that much after startup.
In my opinion, having a generator that can run the essentials at night and last at least 8 hours on one tank of gas is extremely important, at least to me.
I will run gas for the most part, but we will have NG service available within three months.
Thankfully, acquiring gasoline is never an issue.
Posted on 8/1/24 at 10:15 am to X123F45
FWIW, I've been considering buying two 5000-6000w units that I can parallel. and have at least one with tri fuel. Then I have multiple levels of redundancy built in, and I'd rather have a smaller unit that I can use for more items, more portability, loan out on occasion, etc and run more often.
Nothing is perfect though for sure.
Nothing is perfect though for sure.
Posted on 8/1/24 at 10:23 am to baldona
Unfortunately i already have a bunch of small inverters.
Posted on 8/1/24 at 10:33 am to TheBoo
option 1: spend 5K, have to deal with transport/storage/manual start/transfer of a big portable...and possibly not be able to run everything
option 2: spend another 5K, deal with none of the above
i know which i'm choosing (and did choose)
option 2: spend another 5K, deal with none of the above
i know which i'm choosing (and did choose)
Posted on 8/1/24 at 10:34 am to X123F45
quote:
Unfortunately i already have a bunch of small inverters.
Sell them to upgrade? Something you need to consider if you don't have a large propane tank or NG hook up is how you are going to store an appropriate amount of gas. A lot of people are buying 10-20 gallons and that's just not going to last very long with a larger genny.
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