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I own EVs, though Tesla doesn't do this (they want you to do a powerwall instead, which starts at 10-20k). Instead, I have a whole house natural gas generator.

I own EVs, though Tesla doesn't do this (they want you to do a powerwall instead, which starts at 10-20k). Instead, I have a whole house natural gas generator. No gas to go stale. It powers my entire house. And it costs similar to this. Maintence: Every 2-3 years, it needs an "oil/filter" change. I have never had one before this house, but wow it is nice. We seem to be on some flakey power lines, we have lost power ~8 times in the previous year, ranging in duration from 1 hour to 2 days.

giantg2 4y ago
"Maintence: Every 2-3 years, it needs an "oil/filter" change." This seems suspect to me. The ones I've seen call for it once a year or every 24 hours of run time.
- AshleyGrant 4y ago
  Every 24 hours of runtime would be insanely wasteful. A quick Google for a Generac manual shows they recommend annually or every 125 hours, whichever comes first. They do recommend an oil change after 30 hours to replace the break-in oil. The Onan/Cummins LP generator in my RV requires an oil change every 150 hours or annually, whichever comes first with the first oil change after 50 hours.
  - deleted 4y ago
    [deleted]
  - giantg2 4y ago
    Ah, I probably forgot the 1 in front. But the annual thing still stands. Every 2-3 years is not something I've seen recommended.
    - runnerup 4y ago
      I believe the reason for that is no engine oil manufacturer warranties their product longer than one year. However, engine oil these days is very high quality and should last longer than a year. 0: https://youtu.be/T-yt5a1cWd4 https://youtu.be/T-yt5a1cWd4
briffle 4y ago
My parents have one of these. They work great, but have a few limitations: * the oil typically needs changed every 100 hours of operation. That was fine, until an ice storm knocked out power for 11 days to my parents house. * if you live in an earthquake zone, most likely after a major quake the gas lines will be down.
- deleted 4y ago
  [deleted]
Kon-Peki 4y ago
Are you basing your "every 2-3 years" on something the salesman said? You are using your backup generator a lot, you need to seek out the maintenance schedule for your model and ensure you are following it! In my area, Generac [1] and Kohler [2] are what everyone uses for their homes. The maintenance schedules are much higher than every 2-3 years. Good luck :) [1] https://www.generac.com/service-support/faqs/maintenance-kit-faqs/what-maintenance-do-i-need-to-do-and-how-often https://www.generac.com/service-support/faqs/maintenance-kit... [2] (Page 60) https://resources.kohler.com/power/kohler/residential/pdf/tp7092.pdf https://resources.kohler.com/power/kohler/residential/pdf/tp...
- throwaway0a5e 4y ago
  Based on my experience running all manner of clapped out junk with engines 2-3yr for an engine that sees dozens of operating hours per year and runs on propane/natgas seems fine. You're not pampering it by any means but you're not neglecting it either. Engines running on gaseous fuels tend to have really clean oil. I'd be more concerned about things nesting in it than anything else.
- brianwawok 4y ago
  I’m basing that on the manual that came with my generator, but I’m glad you as a hacker news stranger knows more than the actual person who read the manual.

giantg2 4y ago

"Maintence: Every 2-3 years, it needs an "oil/filter" change." This seems suspect to me. The ones I've seen call for it once a year or every 24 hours of run time.

AshleyGrant 4y ago
Every 24 hours of runtime would be insanely wasteful. A quick Google for a Generac manual shows they recommend annually or every 125 hours, whichever comes first. They do recommend an oil change after 30 hours to replace the break-in oil. The Onan/Cummins LP generator in my RV requires an oil change every 150 hours or annually, whichever comes first with the first oil change after 50 hours.
- deleted 4y ago
  [deleted]
- giantg2 4y ago
  Ah, I probably forgot the 1 in front. But the annual thing still stands. Every 2-3 years is not something I've seen recommended.
  - runnerup 4y ago
    I believe the reason for that is no engine oil manufacturer warranties their product longer than one year. However, engine oil these days is very high quality and should last longer than a year. 0: https://youtu.be/T-yt5a1cWd4 https://youtu.be/T-yt5a1cWd4

briffle 4y ago

My parents have one of these. They work great, but have a few limitations: * the oil typically needs changed every 100 hours of operation. That was fine, until an ice storm knocked out power for 11 days to my parents house. * if you live in an earthquake zone, most likely after a major quake the gas lines will be down.

deleted 4y ago
[deleted]

Kon-Peki 4y ago

Are you basing your "every 2-3 years" on something the salesman said? You are using your backup generator a lot, you need to seek out the maintenance schedule for your model and ensure you are following it! In my area, Generac [1] and Kohler [2] are what everyone uses for their homes. The maintenance schedules are much higher than every 2-3 years. Good luck :) [1] https://www.generac.com/service-support/faqs/maintenance-kit-faqs/what-maintenance-do-i-need-to-do-and-how-often https://www.generac.com/service-support/faqs/maintenance-kit... [2] (Page 60) https://resources.kohler.com/power/kohler/residential/pdf/tp7092.pdf https://resources.kohler.com/power/kohler/residential/pdf/tp...

throwaway0a5e 4y ago
Based on my experience running all manner of clapped out junk with engines 2-3yr for an engine that sees dozens of operating hours per year and runs on propane/natgas seems fine. You're not pampering it by any means but you're not neglecting it either. Engines running on gaseous fuels tend to have really clean oil. I'd be more concerned about things nesting in it than anything else.
brianwawok 4y ago
I’m basing that on the manual that came with my generator, but I’m glad you as a hacker news stranger knows more than the actual person who read the manual.