Customer Reviews

Guardian 10,000 Watt Standby Generator 5241

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

 

 

We live out in an unincorporated area where power lines are above ground and there are many trees. We regularly have power outages. We also have downed power lines in storms and sometimes its days before we get power back. This generator is awesome and has paid back for itself in saved hotel bills - we never have to run around to get more fuel for our generator. During a power outage, it automatically fails over to the generator and uses natural gas to power the house. With 10 circuits you can power everything including your stove (we have everything but the washer/dryer and dishwasher). Add a UPS and surge protector for your sensitive equipment like computers and you're good to go.
Caution: In some circumstances you should not use natural gas appliances until the gas company has dismissed gas leaks (e.g. after an earthquake)
Cons: Expensive and expensive to install; needs permits; is loud when its running and can disturb neighbors if they're close by (in our case our neighbors and their kids stayed with us during the outage!)

7,000 watt Guardian Generator professionally installed! Failed to come on at intervals. Serviceman come and company instructed serviceman to check ground wire to metal. Serviceman scraped paint from metal and reconnected it. Tested it, started OK. Next interval start failed after 3 tries. Called service and have been advised that the next visit they would install next fix. Parts are on order. Trouble light said that the unit overcranked. This unit was purchased for emergency service. Are we being paid to test it. Serviceman stated that Guardian sells millions of these units, and company doesn't care about quality. They fix things as they need to. Another thing, if there is a brownout, you must manually turn off solenoid that connects - disconnects electrical service or the solenoid will burn out. Contacted several area technicians, until found a authorized dealer.

Great product. Easy to install and works just as the instructions said it would. The only thing I would change is the surface mount circuitbreaker box to a recessed box. I'm 99% satisfied.

I purchased this generator from a local dealer without the standard transfer switch (instead I upgraded to a 100A whole house switch so I did not have to pick the circuits to be on the generator). Overall, it works great, but my only complaint is that it seems to have a hard time maintaining a steady voltage, which results in my UPS's (on my computers) to cycle wildly on and off as the voltage goes back and forth from 126 to 120 VAC. The dealer (and Generac) indicate that this is 'normal' (as the specs promise a +- 5VAC), but the dealer is going to try to make some adjustments.

From what have read, some of the 'better' UPS's can handle this fluctuation better, but I thought people should be aware of this before purchasing any generator for their house where sensitive electronics exist.