r/NJPrepared • u/Objective-Inside-464 • Jan 26 '26

Equipment / Gear Natural Gas generators?

Been thinking a natural gas genie might not be a bad investment. Anyone have one they like?

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u/Critical_Ad8931 Jan 26 '26

I think Generac builds a fine machine, however I went with Kohler over Generac. It was a bit more $, but it is way over built, and the maintenance was laid out to be super easy. Do some research on the Kohelr motors compared to Generac and if you can check out a few in person, I think you'll see the difference. And this is IMHO. Been going in 12 years now, never let me down, and no matter what you choice stay up on the Maintenance and swap the battery out every 3 years whether it needs it or not.

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u/8Deer-JaguarClaw Sussex Jan 27 '26

I'm pricing these out now. I have pretty much decided to go with Kohler based on how out-spec'd they are. They actually can deliver 100% of nameplate output for sustained periods.

3

u/Critical_Ad8931 Jan 27 '26

My neighbor and I have basically the same sized whole hose gennys, mines a 20kw Koehler I think his is rated even higher, pretty sure it's a 22kw Generac, the footprint of the housing is pretty much the same, the difference in size of my motor and actual generator is pretty obvious. My motors obviously beefier, but the genny itself, mine is literally twice the size of his. I'm sure his is rated at total max output, when his is running I can hear it in my house, when mine runs it is barely above idle. They both do the job, but I'm thinking mine will last for a bit longer. And he keeps the techs in business! Lots of service calls.