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Updated by user Apr 25, 2017

Generac provided a new Stator. It did not arrive in time to get us through the week long power outage but after repair it has operated well for the last 5 years. We service annually and have replaced the battery and a starter but otherwise it is functioning well.

Original review posted by user Jul 03, 2012

I have a 20 KW Generac Guardian Series unit that was installed in Ohio less than 2 years ago. Ran for 4 hours when power went out then died.

Servicer says that control board and entire rotar electrical section has burned up. Generac is sending parts by ground freight. They will arrive about the time that the power company anticipates restoring power. It has been 5 nights without power and at least 3 or 4 more are anticipated.

The unit is totally useless. If others have similar issues, let me know as perhaps there is a class action that I can file.

Location: Columbus, Ohio

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Avonelle Ayb

same problem model 6730 now discontinued, generator ran for weekly tests and outages of half hour or less both time power outages of hour or more duration generator failed, control board blown 3 times authorized service center finally found both rotor and stator defective, still want me to cover costs of some labor and parts in resolution process with Generac at the moment. Purchased at Home Depot on special guess I now know why it was on special!

Guest

I guess once Genajunk, always Genajunk. They advertise a lot which makes them sell, but what I hear is JUNK.

I just got a 20 year old model and it ran before, and only 390 hours which is nothing because the exercise would be that much over 20 years. Generac give no online support like they say they do, all they do is send you to an authorized Generac dealer and they wont answer any questions, only come out for a service call and most I find start about 200.00.

I also found that just about any part you need is $500.00. If I was to buy a new one, Kohler , onan or Briggs.

Guest

I have a 20kw Guardian running on NG. The unit was installed 8 years ago by a Generac installer.

In this period of time we needed it for an hour or so one night when power went out. It worked great. We thought it was working great still because it runs each week as part of the schedule. However, we had a Generac service company come out to change the oil and they tell me it isn't actually working correctly as it is not generating electricity even though it runs once a week.

The bottom of the unit is full of copper and I am told that both the Rotor and Stator must be replaced.

Said that it would be more cost effective to buy a new unit. Yeah, will it won't be a Generac.

Guest

I have been thru 4 control boards and I am preparing to put it out on the road for trash.....20kw Generac piece of garbage.

Karl

krs@***.com

Guest

Biggest thing I see on here is customers trying to get the cheapest installs/fixes.. Do you call a plumber to fix your electrical issues? Dont call an electrician to work on your generators..

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-832642

Stupid comment. Iโ€™m a Master Electrician that has installed and serviced thousands of Generators over the last 20 years. The worst thing anyone can do is call an HVAC company that has no certified EGSA techs.

Guest

Mine was installed two years ago. Worked once for about two hours, we need it tonight so it is giving me a low voltage shutdown warning.

I Have a Koi Pond, and if this had happened two nights ago they would all be dead.

Ibought this for peace of mind, I guess you cant buy peace of mind for $8000. Count me in on class action suit if there ever is one.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-771240

Hi Kim, We are investigating problems associated with this product. If you would like to discuss any claims you have in connection with your purchase, please call 855-505-****. Thanks!

Guest

I live in NNJ and :) have a Generac 16KW (model 5244 with aluminum body) running on Natural Gas. I had it installed back in 2006.

Used my own (all licensed) Electrician and Plumber for gas pipe. I built my own concrete pad which is 6 inches above the ground level and I bolted the generator to it. I did make a mistake and it is installed a little too close to the wall, but I made a baffle to separate air exhaust and intake, so no issues seen. It has run flawlessly for over 7 yrs.

I even ran it almost non-stop for 8 days during Hurricane Sandy. I just shut off daily for 15 minutes and checked the oil level (had to add 1/4-1/3 qt. a day). I just replaced the battery today after more 7 years of use.

I am happy with my purchase so far. :)

Guest

You are one of the lucky few. Ours has never worked properly.

We used a generac platinum installer and everyone who touched the install was licensed. We also have it serviced by our generac approved service provider. We have done everything by the book and spent top dollar. Even with all of this generac has not stood behind their flawed product.

I was happy to see that when I called the Attorney General's office to file my complaint I talked the lawyer who helped me out of purchasing his Generac he was ready to install!

I guess all I can do know is steer others away.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-692039

you said "everyone who touched the install was licensed."

Well, just because someone has a driver's license, they MUST know what they are doing, and be excellent drivers, right?

Guest

We have a whole house set up with a Generac 20 KW.... it has performed flawlessly for over a year with numerous outages, 3 lengthy ones....

not a single problem.

They did have to upgrade our LP tank, lines and regulator when it was installed, and a licensed experience Master Electrician did the install. We are very happy with ours...

Guest

I have three 20 kw generac standby generators w/ Nexus controlers, that have been in use for three years. They are set to run on LP gas.

My experience has been, they run flawlessly when they are sized, and installed properly. I have had them serviced on schedule as recomended by Generac.

One unit is in a Group home that uses feeding pumps, and c-paps. needless to say the generac,s are indespensible.

Tinman

Solon Emh

Generac Issued a PIB- Product info Bulletin after Sandy. Only after the state of New Jersey Attorney Generals Office contacted them about the amount of failures.

They sold hundreds of units with mis-aligned brush holders. This is a pure example of them not testing and poor quality control.

The result of this was every unit sold since Irene failed.

Just imagine all of the families sitting in the dark thinking they would be ok.

Guest

when will people wake up and smell the coffee? the basic laws of business say you cant not pay the lowest price and get the best quality! it simply cant be done (or in other words you get what you pay for!)

Generac has been known from day one to sell the cheapest of the cheapest; if there is a way to save a nickel, they are the experts! (ever see any of there 70's or 80's or even 90s units still in use? natta) I see many reputable makes still out there working after 40 years as they did when new. ie such as onans, because they were built PROPERLY, not as cheap as possible. i used to work on generac if someone called me, but now i refuse to. we will just end up being enemies and life is too short to waste my time fixing junk

speaking of Onan (or cummins now adays) or kohler or winco, they all too make home stand by units that are typically 2x the cost of generac...ever ask yourself why the big boys (that sell many large industrial units, up to and over 2,000 kw) would stay in the home market if they were competing against a product that was half the cost? its the smart consumers that look beyond the price as to what they are actually getting (ie value)that are their customers

it is mind boggling if you google 'generac junk' the endless results that are returned, blog after blog

do the same search with a reputable brand and see the results

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-619390

Well said. I agree with everything above.

Cummins generators are the only way to go in my opinion.

They already come with the cold weather heaters installed unlike the others, remote display included, very quiet, come with a base eliminating a need for an extra pad, and reliable.

By the time you add up all of the accessories to the other brands you are going to be at the same cost or close to a premium brand like Cummins. Mine as well go with the better product if you want longevity.

Guest

I dont understand why so many people have these problems. I have been a Generac Dealer for 10 years and on the very rare (1 out off 100) occasion there is a problem with a unit the Generac Techs are eager to help get the issue resolved.

I have never come across a system that we couldnt fix. $7k for 17 kw? Wow!!!I should hire that guy to do all my installs and sit back and make $5000 for doing nothing. He will be out of buissness in a year.

Then youll wish you didnt cheap out when a REAL Generac Rep wont come out to look at it. If someone calls me to fix a unit I know as soon as I look at the install whether its a quality install. Bottom line you get what you pay for.

If I installed your system I would be there everyday until it was fixed. Buyer beware!!!!

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-619212

FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME....908-902-****

20KW BEING REPLACED BY A NEW MODEL? GUESS THEY HAVE HAD ENOUGH COMPLAINTS?When your back-up generator, which likely cost more than $5000 to have

installed, doesnโ€™t work, or only works for a short time, the money spent

seems wasted.

Do You Own a Generac Generator?

โ€ขDo You Own a Generac Generator?

โ€ขCall Successful Class Action Attorney Stuart Eppsteiner at 800-261-****

or email now. Stuart Eppsteiner has more than 30 years of experience,

let him use that experience to Help You. Call today 800-261-**** to see

if he can help You.

If you own a Generac Generator, regardless of whether you know if it is

faulty or not, you should act now and call Stuart Eppsteiner of

Eppsteiner & Fiorica 800-261-****

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-621301

Paula, did you get a new unit from Generac? Did you use Stuart Eppsteiner?

Guest

I have a 3 1/2 year old 20kw Generac air cooled standby generator. I think they call these generators โ€œstandbyโ€ generators because when the power goes out they donโ€™t actually run.

They just stand by. It has gone through 3 control boards, 3 chargers, 2 batteries, and tomorrow I will be installing a $500 retail value transfer switch that went out inside the transfer switch breaker box. And the battery still wonโ€™t charge through the transfer switch control board so I have an electrician coming to troubleshoot that next week. I may need yet another control board.

Who knows how much that will cost or if he can even fix it at all. My Generac (private labeled by Carrier who abandoned them and quit selling them) has been nothing but trouble.

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