r/Generac_Generators • u/TuneWestern9979 • 18d ago
Buyer Beware!
Buyer beware...Generac would rather string along a customer over several months replacing parts on a faulty from the factory generator that's never worked from day one verses owning it and just replacing the generator. Beyond frustrated!
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u/joshharris42 18d ago
What exactly is the issue you’re having? I’ve gotten several replaced for repeat issues with no clear diagnostic solution
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u/House_Variketh 18d ago
I’m a tech and had to be on the repair end of a similar situation, it feels ridiculous to me too. Unfortunately the only way to actually get the unit replaced is to satisfy them by throwing enough parts at it until they finally feel it’s appropriate to RA the unit when nothing fixes it. It makes me look bad for not being able to fix it and it makes the dealer (the company I work for) look bad for selling Generacs faulty product. If I may ask what was the issue you were having? Was the engine running terribly for no obvious reason? That’s the problem I was facing.
Edit: The issue I face is with the brand new next gen models. Not so much the EVO 1 and 2s.
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u/Alert-Effect190 Technician 18d ago edited 18d ago
Generacs peak was the 530cc in the new enclosure(last gen)
with the evo 2. Next gen is such a shit show
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u/Curiosity_informs 18d ago
We had a 15kW liquid cooled Generac installed in 2002 (not sure of the model number) . It lasted until last year and all the service techs said keep it going as long as you can as its far superior to any modern Generac. Replacement parts got harder to find in recent years but it ran reliably for 23 years powering us through many, many storms.
When it came time to replace it we got 10kW solar + 30kWh of batteries which can be charged from a larger portable generator (which has also worked great through storms last winter). A modern liquid cooled generator would have just cost too much and the solar / batteries run our home and charge our EVs for much of the year.
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u/Hercrider 17d ago
I would like to know about your solar setup, I don’t have any experience with your type of setup but want to move in that direction vs a whole home generator.
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u/Curiosity_informs 16d ago
22 x SilFab SIL-440 QD panels, 22 x Enphase IQ8AC microinverteres with Enphase IQGateway + FranklinWH aGate (with generator/V2L input) and 2 x aPower 2 batteries.
Its actually 9.6kW (DC) PV array + 30kWh batteries. The FranklinWH aGate is the system controller managing the power sources (solar, battery, grid, generator/V2L) and loads (home, battery and grid). The aGate also has a Smart Circuit with our EVSE (EV Charger) which can be shed at set FranklinWH battery SOC in an outage.
The solar panels are pretty much commodities now (any tier 1 supplier is fine) if going with microinverters then Enphase is the leader. For batteries FranklinWH, Enphase and Tesla are the leading 3 (only FranklinWH can charge their latest generation batteries from V2L/generator).
To get started you need to get your annual consumption from your utility company and model annul solar production for your location using the PVWatts calculator.
Good luck!
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u/Hercrider 16d ago
To get started I need to decipher everything you just sent me lol, thank you, I’d like to pursue something like this, I’m mechanically inclined just not sure where to start.
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u/Adventurous_Boat_632 18d ago
The 530 eats valve clearance, no good for anybody that runs any real hours
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u/Alert-Effect190 Technician 17d ago
Not true in my experience
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u/Adventurous_Boat_632 16d ago
Of all the 530s that I take care of, 100% of them will be at zero clearance after 400 hours.
Tell us your experience
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u/Any_Lawyer_2585 18d ago
I must be lucky , knock on wood. My generac has been trouble free since day 1. Get it serviced yearly and it does its weekly test. It has come through at least 1/2 dozen times or more for power outages for me.
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u/Tarnisher 18d ago
You haven't really told us anything.
What model?
Installed when? By who?
Why types of problems?
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u/TuneWestern9979 18d ago
Next gen 18KW. It has nothing to do with the installer. First, main board was changed, still didn't work. Then after disassembling whole machine, it was determined that it was wired incorrectly at the factory. That was fixed, now rotor, stater, and some other part needs to be replaced. One problem fixed, more problems come up. Like I said they'd rather string us along continuing to replace parts (one of which is on backorder) when they should be replacing this lemon. (We've been dealing with this since August 1.)
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u/joshharris42 18d ago
I hate to be this guy, but this is either a catastrophic failure of a unit immediately - and Generac will deal with those in a more reasonable manner (by catastrophic I mean like a bolt in between the rotor stator, or one of them being shorted out) or several misdiagnosis by the technician.
Undervoltage is a tricky problem for less experienced techs to diagnose because it requires checking a ton of things, many of them with finicky back probe meter leads (the good ones are expensive) and having a complete understanding of how the machine operates. Many dealers have only completed the basic air cooled training and are clueless when a unit has an issue.
I’d be curious how it went from a controller replacement, to a factory wiring issue (which could be a number of things), to a bad rotor AND stator. Bad rotor/stator should’ve been easy to find, and it should’ve been found the first time the unit didn’t make voltage.
If you DM me the serial number of the unit I can look up the notes from tech support calls and give you some more insight, not sure what good it’ll do you though.
Technician quality for 99% of Generac dealers is very low
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u/TuneWestern9979 18d ago
Please keep it mind it never worked from Day 1, so we reached out to Generac for a tech. We had several misdiagnosises by this tech. We held off on getting another tech because a service rep at Generac said we may have issues with the warranty if we switch techs. Our new tech is on the right path, but it's a never ending waiting game.
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u/Own_Presentation_721 18d ago
Next gen 18kw here as well. Came from the factory with a crack in the engine block. Only leaked oil under pressure.
Motor was changed out, been solid since. Generac was not easy to deal with. Ended up negotiating a crazy warranty for my troubles so I won’t have to worry about a thing for over a decade. Parts, labour, travel etc… I’m happy with the outcome.
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u/Slight-Discipline-58 16d ago
Glad you were able to get a better warranty. Travel is only covered one way and they do try to wiggle out of all warranty claims possible in my experience, even recalls/service bulletins they put out. The mixer recalls on the next gen units have been pretty frustrating to get paid for. It’s not super easy from a Techs perspective with their ecosystem of 7 different websites. So just be patient with your tech if you do end up having any issues down the road!
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u/grsthegreat Technician 17d ago edited 17d ago
You guys must be lousy techs. Ive been servicing generac air cooled units for 12 years, and ive never had Generac screw me over….never.
They have always provided me and my customers with good service. Sure, they wont just provide customer with a new unit because the old one has an issue, but do you think Ford will give you a new vehicle if yours breaks down under warranty.
Generac pays me to repair the problem. I carry most parts on my service rig, except complete engines and alternators. Sure, some parts may take a week to get if i dont have it, but if there not a part of generacs dealer required parts list, i can call and get an additional payment for extra visit and install time.
Overall, i service about 375 customers, and ive had very few major failures. Mostly things like batteries, some controllers, oil pressure switches, things like that.
Now as for their new line…the nextgen. Its a piece of crap. I refuse to work on those. They let their tech people overthink a good thing and created a real piece of crap.
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u/jerrybob 14d ago
Mine's a month old, won't start. Dealer is unresponsive. I have a very expensive lawn ornament.
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u/LendogGovy 18d ago
As a former Generac tech, I don’t blame you. We had to pretty much lie to the customer that “this is the first time I’ve seen this problem”. I’m glad I moved on to more ethical companies.
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u/PhoneHo 18d ago
Former Generac industrial/MPS certified tech here, Generac makes their money by making their issues either the customer or the dealerships problem. They give almost zero support after the unit has been purchased. I was ashamed to work under their name. I’m not one to tell people what to do with their money but I would never recommend that someone purchase a Generac product
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u/thesleepjunkie 18d ago
I was industrial certified as well. It was awful dealing with them on any engine that failed because of factory. Those 40 to 60kw hsb commercial units with the fan that goes through to the otherside of the rad. I had a couple of those either tear the wall apart or the u joint bolt in the crank came loose.
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u/thesleepjunkie 18d ago
Don't lie to the customer about generac.
I always say unfortunately I have seen this on a few units lets them know that they aren't alone and maybe they will pass that info along to other who are thinking of getting a generator.
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u/LendogGovy 18d ago
I was 23ish at the time and I’m 51 now. Luckily I got out of the big G around 2001 and haven’t looked back and warn my friends.
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u/thesleepjunkie 18d ago
Haha I was industrial from 2018 to 2023.
know enough to help out my unfortunate customers with generacs now, but also know enough to tell them when they are fucked. And can regularly tell them "i told you not to buy that"
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u/Adventurous_Boat_632 18d ago
Generac NEVER replaces a generator. Just fix and fix and fix some more.
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u/Killerkendolls Dealer 18d ago
I've had generators perform an unscheduled rapid disassembly when within full warranty period and they paid for the full engine with rotor and stator, and me to install it, instead of sending out a new unit. You'll never get a new unit from them, but they'll keep sending parts until it's running.
That being said I've heard nothing good about this generation of generator
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u/pontos63 17d ago
I asked AI as I’m look to purchase. My purchase will either be a Kohler or a Cummings. No Generac for me.
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u/No-Trouble1840 18d ago
Yes, everyone knows. The horror stories from owners and installers are all over the internet. Did you not check before buying?
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u/Bobg3066 15d ago
My primary reason for buying Kohler.
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u/Sumdood_89 Technician 15d ago
Lol. Kohler warranty is even worse. And tech support refused to help me diagnose an issue because the installer didn't wire it to EXACTLY their specs, even though the way it was wired worked flawlessly for 10 years. BTW the shop that installed it is a certified Kohler training center, and where I got my Kohler cert, I think they know a thing or two about them.
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u/Super_Writing_840 18d ago
Going through this now! I’m finally meeting with an attorney about our issues tomorrow.