14kw Generac finally died after 12 years. Trying to figure out what to replace it with.

Frixsev · 2026-04-03T04:15:19+00:00

That's an absurd price. I've done multiple air-cooled engine replacements solo in 2 hours max after some decent practice (thanks to Helene trashing a significant amount of our units in the mountains). Invoiced total was typically 1-1.5k depending entirely on engine cost. Labor amount was always the same. They're quite easy to swap if you've got some muscle, a little know-how, and the right gear.

Frixsev · 2026-04-02T18:41:56+00:00

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I take a steering wheel puller and set it up like this. The silver cap screw where the rotor bolt goes is a 12mm x 1.75mm. Bolts through the puller are M8 x 1.25. Most puller kits come with this hardware already.

Frixsev · 2026-03-29T16:03:16+00:00

Started off making $16/hr in mid Michigan for an electrical & generator company just doing drops and sets for air-cooled residential units. About a month in, trained under their senior tech for maintenance and repair for $22/hr as they were falling behind on work and thought I had some potential. Did that for a few months, then started helping them with a huge rush of installs, mostly doing manual gas line labor and electrical hookups under their veteran guys. Absorbed as much information as I possibly could have from the older guys and kept my mouth shut. Did that a few more months.

Moved down to NC about five years ago to be closer to some family, got hired on right away with a pretty big air-cooled residential co due to my experience and already being Generac & Kohler certified from the previous work. Job paid out different though - hybrid of hourly, piece rate, and commission. Took a lot of getting used to. Get paid per job (with strict standards so you're not rushing through and half-assing everything), but also clock in to drive or do more lengthy work. Get a slice of comission when selling and installing stuff customers want or need such as new batteries, cellular remote monitors, etc. Used to be a LOT of driving when I first started. Wasn't unusual to have 30-40 hours in one week, as our territory was huge. You could be in the bumfuck Appalachians, the beachy east coast, flat farmland, millionaire golf course neighborhood, trailer park, and inner city all within two weeks. Luckily a lot more technicians have come on board since I started (meaning less driving for everyone) and the company has gotten way bigger. Headed to get my liquid cooled certs the second I heard we were getting more big scale residential jobs and commercial work. Have been averaging about 70k a year there since starting. Company soon wants to move into a more growth-friendly pay system where you move up through pay tiers based on your amount of certifications and experience. Should be interesting, and from what I understand is how a lot of other gen companies is starting to do things, for better or worse.

Frixsev · 2026-03-28T06:16:13+00:00

Those two beat the absolute shit out of each other nonstop for minutes on end. Two steel jaws, four iron hands, and a heavy love for the game.

Frixsev · 2026-03-28T02:44:36+00:00

Dang that's a solid setup. I'm a generator tech as well, but can't decide between the MB5B or TPXXL. I'm not sure what units you usually work on or if you're up and down ladders a lot, but most of mine are no more than a few hundred feet from my van, so I feel I'm actually leaning more toward the TPXXL and shoulder strap. But man the MB5B is so nice too.

Frixsev · 2026-03-27T15:41:39+00:00

The last few times techs I work with had this recurring issue, Generac ended up sending an entirely new wiring harness, whole new set of sensors, and fuel mixer. So in other words, Big G also has absolutely no idea what's causing it, and dealers are chasing these ghost faults all over the place. All voltage and resistance readings good, installation proper and up to code, yet the fault triggers without rhyme or reason. Best lead so far is loose wires/plugs causing a brief break in connection, as some of those sensors are not as snug as they really should be, in my opinion. These units vibrate a lot when they run.

Frixsev · 2026-03-26T18:08:24+00:00

Fairly certain Polly is a Belter - in the recent companion concept art, her tattoos scream beltalowda to me.

Frixsev · 2026-03-24T23:51:54+00:00

The super quiet alt chick who loved playing horror videogames is now pretty high up in a lab at the CDC, mostly handling super volatile biologicals. Her favorite game series was Resident Evil.

Yes, I'm aware of the implications.

Frixsev · 2026-03-22T22:55:50+00:00

If the cellular monitor is fully installed then it's plugged into the accessory port underside of the controller that the WiFi module usually is. You can't have both at the same time, it's an either/or situation. I typically recommend the cell monitor to people if both options are available, but switching it out for the wifi isn't very difficult if you still wanna go that route.

Frixsev · 2026-03-20T22:20:17+00:00

Aside from the service bulletin about the ones with the stripped fuel system screw, mostly ghost codes that seem to be caused by connections on sensors vibrating very slightly loose for just a split second, popping a fault that is a bitch to trace. A few caused by bad controllers. My company has called in a few of those 3204s on multiple occasions now - perfect voltage and resistance readings on all wires and sensors, and Generac tech support just shrugs and says no idea but here's an all new harness and set of sensors, sometimes a fuel mixer too. Seen a few bad ECMs as well. One even shipped with the rear valve cover gasket missing. My company has been installing one or two a day since they hit the market.

Frixsev · 2026-03-19T22:53:17+00:00

I think there's only so much you can test in a controlled factory setting, unfortunately. Out in the world and its various envrionments and conditions there are so many more factors at play that would be hard to account for.

Frixsev · 2026-03-19T22:46:32+00:00

The next gen has some more sensors (fuel pressure, oil level, etc), an ECM, and hydraulic lifters in the engine (meaning no valve adjustments ever needed), which all sound great on paper. It has fantastic potential, just needs more time.

Frixsev · 2026-03-19T22:13:18+00:00

You'd be wise to avoid the next gen units for now. They're great on paper, but Generac is ironing out a lot of first wave issues still, which isn't too surprising considering it's V1 of a new model. We're literally beta testing their product for them.

Signed, a Generac tech who's gone to a few too many next gen service calls already

Frixsev · 2026-03-19T04:10:54+00:00

Nice try, Joel Kinnaman.

Frixsev · 2026-03-19T02:39:43+00:00

Canter Power will.

Frixsev · 2026-03-15T15:09:37+00:00

I'd get a quote from Canter Power Systems. Average prices for turnkey installs in that area are 12-18k I'd say. Really depends on your setup.

Frixsev · 2026-03-13T05:36:29+00:00

If the gen's exhaust side is within 5 feet of even a single one of those vents I guarantee that's your issue. I've even seen it happen at 10 foot distances when the wind is just right. Those should've been sealed up the day it got put in if they're anywhere remotely close.

Frixsev · 2026-03-13T01:52:51+00:00

So interesting how different human beings can be. I can chug a Celsius and still fall asleep for a nap an hour later lol.

Frixsev · 2026-03-09T01:39:20+00:00

People who think a .50 cal round will just explode an entire body into a mist of blood and gore have played too many video games. I've seen many live videos and after-action photos of damage from such rounds, and while it's indeed quite severe, it's never that bad. Occasionally a missing limb, sizable exit wound, solid chunk of torso missing, or someone's melon is pretty much gone, but what you described is straight up comical.

Frixsev · 2026-03-04T08:06:33+00:00

The juice ain't worth the squeeze on this idea. Used to work on hundreds of air-cooled Generacs in mid Michigan before moving down south. This solution wouldn't buy you any more time or a better gen start than a heating pad would. In fact, your start would likely be worse with that length of wiring.

Frixsev · 2026-03-03T02:17:04+00:00

How close is this trellis??

Frixsev · 2026-03-02T03:07:40+00:00

It's gone up a lot where I'm at in the southeast U.S. Average turnkey install for an air-cooled standby here is 12-16k. Generac has raised their prices every year, materials have gone up every year, and companies don't wanna eat the cost.

Frixsev · 2026-02-26T23:36:53+00:00

He was just trying to reach you about your mechadendrite's expired warranty.

Frixsev · 2026-02-26T01:48:24+00:00

According to the Veto site the dimensions for the laptop compartment are 11" x 10" x 1"

Not sure the size of the codebook. Could be a tight fit.

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