Been looking at standby generators and wondering if anyone here has any experience with different brands. Generac/Guardian, Kohler, etc... these are the 2 that have surfaced around here. Fueled by propane. Thanks

I've been researching generators quite a bit lately. I'm working with a new company on developing gasifiers to convert wood and other biomass into a synthetic natural gas to run generators. Wood in... electricity out. Prior to that, I looked into a diesel generator running on WVO or biodiesel.

Do you hope to do net-metering? I do. And, I'm finding it is relatively smooth sailing to adapt a 20kw or larger generator for grid-tied operation. Computer controlled engine governors are the key point for sync-ing with the grid.

Under 20kw, the "experts" tell me the engines are too small to be effectively controlled by an electronic governor. So, you have to work with the grid in other ways. The only other options I've found has been to use inverters/controllers from wind or solar systems. And that can cost two to four times as much as the generator!

As for the individual generators, there's a big difference between portable and standby generators. In general, the smaller gensets that run at 3600rpm like you get at Home Depot or Lowe's are designed to run a few things through an ice storm and are generally worn out in a few hundred hours. On the other hand, a larger unit cruising along at 1200 or 1800rpm is going to last a long, long time.

However, I was surprised to find the 18kw Briggs unit I'm testing runs at 3600rpm but is still designed to run for 15000 hours or more!

The good news is the propane will keep the engine nice and clean. And, come to think of it, if you want to run on propane, you won't be able to do any net-metering. Well, not yet. We're working on renewable propane but isn't here just quite yet.

General rule... if it has wheels, it's disposable. If it runs at 3600rpm, it isn't built for the long haul... usually.

Great info thanks, No net metering, just backup. Leaning towards a Kohler. 8.5 or 10.