Customer Reviews

Generac 4582-2 Ultra Source 15,000 Watt Portable Generator (CARB Compliant)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I am very happy with this generator, but I would not recommend using it for electronic equipment (computers, TV's, etc), as it is not very stable, especially under large loads.

I ran a test to see what it could handle, below is a description of the items I turned on, and the order in which they were enabled. I connected this generator up to my whole house using a 200 amp manual transfer switch, which was professionally installed by an electrician. The transfer switch has a watt-ometer on it, so I can estimate how much wattage I am using.

1) 100 Gallon Hot Water Heater: ~4800 watts. (I opened all the hot water taps to make sure that the heater was running.)
2) 3 ton air conditioner (Trane XL19i) ~3600 watts (Set temperature to 65F to ensure that both compressors were working)
3) 2 refrigerators. ~800 watts each. (set the temperature to the coldest setting on both of them to make sure they were running)
4) 20" TV. ~300 watts
5) PC w/ 2x21" monitors ~300 watts total
6) Washing Machine ~500 watts (put a load in for the spin cycle)
7) Dishwasher ~500 watts
8) Pool Pump ~500 watts

So far all of the above was running at the same time, and everything was fine except the backup battery alarms on the TV and the PC were sounding. It seems the power was not stable enough for those devices, so I turned them off.

I kept everything else running, and I was determined to overload the generator to see if it would shut off as described in the manual. So, I proceeded to turn on some more large and medium appliances.

9) Clothes Dryer ~5700 watts
10) 4 stove top burners set to high ~200 watts each
11) Oven set to 450F ~5000 watts?
12) 6 overhead lights ~100 watts each
13) Sprinkler / Well Pump ~500 watts
14) Microwave oven set to High ~1500 watts
15) Garbage Disposal ~200 watts

I ran out of appliances and large items that I could turn on. All of the above was running at the same time, which of course is not a typical household scenario. I was very impressed.

My electrician told me that electrical devices all have exaggerated wattage ratings, so you cannot simply look at the back of device and determine how much wattage it will use. This is why my numbers add up to way more than 15,000 watts. In addition, the rating on a generator is the minimum it can handle, so it is possible that the generator could be producing slightly over 15,000 watts, depending on quality of fuel and other factors. Regardless, this test proves that the generator can handle your whole household without a problem, just keep your electronic devices plugged into a more stable generator.

It is quite loud. It sounds like a Harley running at 3500 rpm. Much louder than my 3000 watt generator, and louder than my 2300 psi pressure cleaner. The smell of the exhaust is very strong as well, so keep ventilation at a maximum. Don't place it next to any bushes as the bush will die from the heat and carbon monoxide (I know this from my own experience ;-)

On a separate test, I ran the generator for an extended time period to see how much fuel it uses. I plugged it into my house and ran a more limited set of appliances which would represent a typical day. The fuel consumption was about 1 gallon per hour, so keep this in mind when storing fuel for something like a hurricane. I purchased a fuel storage tank which can hold 120 gallons with a pump on it, and I can also keep 17 more gallons in the generator itself. Of course there is the risk of all this fuel going stale very quickly, so I only purchase it when I see a hurricane coming. If I never need it, I just use it for my cars.

Solid performance, easy to assemble, generally a good machine, but heavy and loud.

I installed a manual switch to disconnect from main supply. It will easily run my entire house (A/C, W/H, stove, micro, freezer, etc..). Nice to have here in south FL. Neighbors like to know I have it, but dislike it when I run it every week or so to keep it in good condition because it is LOUD. Somehow they seem to forget about the noise when the power goes out and I save their frozen food.... Hmmmm?

I used an engine hoist to lift it to put on the wheels etc. Couldn't imagine trying to assemble it without one. Be careful when filling oil because for some reason it's difficult to see on the dipstick - Very easy to overfill.

Assembly instructions clear. Best to have some equipment to hold the unit off the floor to install the underparts, (wheels, etc.) Too heavy for one person to pick up(Unless you are VERY strong).
Performance is great, has an economy feature that idles the engine back when the load lessens. Use ear protection when running, especially in an area with walls. Very pleased with the unit.

I have had this generator for one year now. I bought it after hurricane Ivan. I used it for 4 days after hurrican Dennis and it never missed a lick. I kicked off 8 tons of ac with it (staggered the starts) and basically it ran my whole house with the stove and hot water heaters turned off.

It does burn a lot of fuel and it is loud. I wired through the 50 amp outlet.

RM

This Guardian Generator Model # 04582 is JUNK.
DO NOT BUY.
I have had this generator for 4 months and it has
not run right yet. Hunts badly from 55 to 65 cycles.
Now, I can't get it to start.
Customer Service is horrible. Can't get a phone number
to talk to anyone at Guardian.
The Authorized Dealer in my area does not know what wrong
with the generator and will not give me a number so I can send it back.

The model 04582 is a portable generator which puts out a steady 15,000 watts depending on variable conditions such as heat, the octane of the gasoline it uses, and the condition it is in.

It will peak at surges of up to 22,500 watts for a few seconds only such as during 5 ton AC start ups. If you think you are buying a 22,500 watt generator you will be sadly mistaken. Northern Tools list their generators this way in order to make them appear to be a good deal price wise. [...]

I use this generator in my business for power tools in new construction and I wouldn't think of installing it in my home for a stand by power source. Instead, look at the home stand by models built for that purpose and which come with the automatic transfer switch for not a lot more money than this vendor is asking for this portable.

By the way; this machine will guzzle 32 gallons of gas at close to full load in 24 hours.

This unit is a reliable beast. I suspect that direct buyers (no local dealer) might have difficulties getting their generator to peak perform, right off the pallet. This unit generally requires some fine tuning to run smoothly, and if you are not mechanically adept, buy a smaller unit with a Honda. The Generac motor has been around for a long time, and is a very reliable (as in better than the riding mower engines) power plant. It does need to be tuned to run with the demand. It has a controlled idle that jumps around a bit as your electrical load varies, but is normal. If you are not a tweaker, get the Honda. (See above.) I converted my unit to tri-fuel, and use on natural gas. Paid $1350 for the beast and about $400 for the conversion kit. All copper windings, made in Wisconsin. Buy American when you can.

I have bought and installed two Guardian/Generac 15,000kw generators with very little effort and they have performed nearly perfectly. Considering the price and the terrific capability I am very satisfied. My brother has installed the more sophisticated version with with the automatic switching panel. I just did a fast and easy installation by backfeeding the house panel. I installed a 4-leg heavy-duty 75 amp "welding" outlet protected by 50 amp breakers attached to the main house breaker panel. Then I made a 4-leg, 8 gauge double female end extension cord and connected the generator to the 4-leg panel outlet. In a power outage I open the main panel breakers to separate the house panel from utility power, connect the extension cord, start the generator, and close the generator's 50 amp breakers and the breakers protecting the 50 amp "welding" outlet. Then I can run anything connected to the main panel up to the capacity of the generator: lights, well pump, water heater, A/C, stove, refrigerator, stereo, even computers (using a UPS). I also have a nice long 120v 15A extension cord that reaches my neighbor's house so they can have lights and refrigeration. They do not seem to mind the generator's noise at all! The generator is noisey, but that is a small price to pay to have heavy-duty power. When I get around to it I may build a sound-reducing box. I have noticed a little surging which I cured with a mixture adjustment. So the most important question is would I buy again? Yes, absolutely!

The engine hunts up and down every few seconds.
So the light get bright and then dim
The engine cycles between 58 and 62 cycles per second
The Authorize Service dealer said this can't be fix
Works good on lights but on electronic equip this is bad.

7/2009 have beeen useing this generator for a year now no problems at all. Have many events with my concession trailer powers evetything with no problems. In the winter I added gas stabalizer and ran the gen till the carbs were empty with gas turned off. Ran it once during the winter just to run it for 15 min under load. Again turned off gas and ran gen till carbs were dry. Come summer it started up first try. I can say that am glad I chose this product

2008 I got this generator within 5 days. The truck pulled up with no lift gate. The driver suggested off loading it to the bed of my pickup, had to get 2 others to help us. once off loaded to my pickup the driver was like ok later its all yours. Took me a few hours to rig something up to get it off my truck, this thing is very heavy just like they say.

Assembly is stright foward it helps to have someone help you but can be done by one person it needed. Make sure you read the instructions because you need to add oil to it before you start it. Added oil and gas it started right up. I have a concession trailer and it takes alot of amps to run it, this did it no problem. I checked the voltage with a meter and it stayed within 1/2 a volt or so, output with no load was like 124 volts and 239.6 at the generator. I took this to an all day event and ran it like 13 hours it ran fine out of the box with no problems. As the others have stated this thing is loud and will eat some gas, alot of gas. However if you need the power it will do the job.

There was another vendor there with the very same generator who told me he has had his for sometime now and runs electric fryers off of it. He runs a 24 ft concesson trailer off this one generator and said it has done the job for him with no problems. He did givem me 2 tips that i will pass on.

#1 the generator has a low oil shut off if for some reason it shuts off you can not pull the oil dip stick out when it is hot cause it swells some when hot. You must wait for the unit to completely cool off to check the oil, so pull the dip stick out alittle when running it.

# 2 is before traveling make sure to drain all the gas out of the engine to pervent the float from becoming damaged (this is only if you have it loaded on a trailer for some time).

So far I am very happy with this generator the shipping sucked so watch for that if you dont have a forklift. hope this helps.