Generac OHVI Air-Cooled Engine •Features plateau honed cylinder walls and plasma-moly rings •Full pressure lubrication system w/ 2 year oil change interval •Aids in cooling the engine for longer life
Operates On Clean Burning, Efficient Natural Gas or LP (Vapor)
Skewed Rotor Design For Smooth Output Waveform "Clean Power" •Automatic voltage regulator equipped for +/- 1% regulation
Nexus™ Digital Controller Monitors & Controls All Functions •Provides system status - compatible with Nexus™ wireless monitors
Sound Attenuated Weather Proof Enclosure •Attractive styling with lockable access doors •Incorporates electrostatically applied epoxy paint technology •Sound dampening enclosure limits sound pressure to a low 66dB(A)
Includes 14 Circuit Load Center Style Auto Transfer Switch (100A) •5' Pre-wired External Connection Box From Wall to Generator •30' Pre-Wired Indoor Conduit From Switch To External Box •2' Pre-Wired Indoor Conduit From Transfer Switch To Main Panel •Composite mounting pad and 1’ flexible fuel line connector
Listed to UL2200 Engine/Generator Standard for Safety
Q: Where do I get the installation instructions for the Generac Home Standby Generators? by T Wanamaker from New York on March 12, 2012
A: The unit comes with the installation instructions or you can find them on the Generac website. The instructions you get without the serial number will be basic.
Q: If I need more wire than the 30 feet supplied, can I splice what ever i need onto it? Also, are the circuit breakers standard ones if i ever need to replace one, or do i have to buy them from Generac? by Stanley Zydel from New York on February 10, 2012
A: The maximum length you can add is 15 feet as long as local code permits adding length (some do not). If you need to go beyond this length then the entire run of wiring needs to be changed because of the wire sizes/gauge.
Generac typically uses Siemens breakers in their switches which allows for replacement to be easy.
Please keep in mind that you cannot put larger amperage breakers in to replace smaller amperage breakers.
Please always consult with a certified electrician for proper installation and wiring.
Q: Hi Jim,is there any codes to how far from a window the standby generator must be.
Thank You Frank by Frank Gelsomino from Connecticut on January 24, 2012
A: NFPA 37 - 4.1.4 Engines Located Outdoors. Engines, and their weatherproof housings if provided, that are installed outdoors shall be located at least 1.5 m (5 ft) from openings in walls and at least 1.5 m (5 ft) from structures having combustible walls. A minimum separation shall not be required where either of the following conditions exist:
(1) The adjacent wall of the structure has a fire resistance rating of at least 1 hour. (2)*The weatherproof enclosure is constructed of noncombustible materials and has been demonstrated that a fire within the enclosure will not ignite combustible materials outside the enclosure.
The above code is referenced in NFPA 70 - Article 445 Generator Locations.
You do need to reference with your local inspector what the requirements are for your local city codes along with the requirements in your area for noncombustible materials.
Always consult with a certified electrician on all installation procedures and processes.
Q: What is the percentage of THD for the 5871 Standby Generator? Is this figure somewhere in the specs pages or owners manual? by Ray Lacourse from Massachusetts on January 04, 2012
A: The THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) for the Generac Guardian Series Home Standby Generators is less then 5% which can be found in the Generac spec sheet. The link for the spec sheet is under our specs tab on the product page.
Q: My electrical panel is in my garage, and I would like to locate the generator on the opposite side of my house. I have a crawl space that would allow the wire run, are there run limits? by John Hall from Virginia on August 26, 2011
A: The transfer switch needs to be mounted within 2 feet of the circuit panel and the included indoor whip is 30 ft long. The unit also comes with an outdoor connection box and a 5 ft outdoor whip that connects to the generator. Generac does say that you can add a maximum of 15 ft to the total run if necessary otherwise you will have to change the entire length of wire due to overheating the wire and voltage drop.
Q: Do I have to configure the generator to run on LP or NG?
by Brian from California on May 09, 2011
A: These units come set up from the manufacturer to operate on Natural Gas and are converted to LP in the field. Everything included to do the conversion and the process is in the installation guide. Very easy for your installer to do.
Q: What is a composite pad ? by CHARLES BLYTHE from North Carolina on April 08, 2011
A: The composite pad is a strong, lightweight mounting pad provided to simplify the installation. By including the pad with the generator, installation time and cost is reduced since a concrete base is no longer a requirement. by Jim, Product Expert
Q: I have a model 04390 running on propane. It has started boiling the acid from the battery, is this a internal battery charger failure? by Allen Ackley from West Virginia on March 07, 2011
A: This could be a battery charger issue or possibly a bad battery. It is best to contact a local Generac service dealer for assistance as they can inspect the unit.
Q: Hello Jim, do you have, or can you recommend stand-by generator installers for the Houston, Texas area? We are in the N.W. Houston area. by David Reece from Texas on February 13, 2011
A: Since we do not get involved in the installation process and since we ship all over the continental US we do not have a list of installers to provide. You can contact a local Generac dealer who may do installations at a reasonable price and will provide you with the best installation knowledge. You do not necessarily have to purchase a Generac generator from them to utilize their installation and they would be your resource for maintenance and warranty repairs.
Q: How far does a generator has to be from my house? by Jim from Massachusetts on February 04, 2011
A: The manufacturer recommends the back side of the unit to be set no less then 18 inches from any non-combustible surface and the sides of the unit need at least 36 inches for proper intake and exhaust.
Note: It is recommended to check with your city, county and state codes as they may differ from the manufacturers recommendations.
Q: What size battery do I need? by James Fritch from Pennsylvania on January 25, 2011
A: The battery is a Group 26R with 525 cold cranking amps - which is often difficult to find locally.
However, don't get too caught up in the specs. We already sized the battery for this model.
Click on the "Add 12V Start Battery" box when ordering.
The battery currently costs $89.99 and no shipping when you buy it with a standby generator.
We don't sell the batteries individually because they are hazardous materials that must ship via freight. If you bought one individually, it would cost more to ship than the battery is worth.
Since this generator is already shipping via semi-truck, we shrink wrap them together, and the battery tags along for the ride.
Q: What kind of oil comes in the generator, and when it is time to change it? Can I run Mobile 1 Synthetic 5W30 year round in central Oklahoma? by Ron Hopper from Oklahoma on January 24, 2011
A: The Generac standby generators are shipped with 5W30 oil in them and Generac does give the option to use 5W30 Synthetic in needed. The owner's manual covers all oil options and temperature ranges. Oil changes are determined by use and maintenance is also covered in the manual.
Q: Can this generator be anchored to the slab? If so, can you provide an anchor bolt layout by Gregg Deemer from Texas on January 21, 2011
A: Generac's model 5885, as with all of their standby generators, are anchored to the pallet at all 4 corners with special anchors which can be used to anchor the unit directly to your concrete base using concrete bolts. by Jim, Product Expert
Q: i have a 1/2 ton central air and we have 2 salt water aquarium that have to run all the time. one is a 75 gal. and the other is a 30gal. both have heaters and pumps. The 75 has 2-250 watt halides and the 30 gal has 1-50watt halide. We have a 25cub. refrigerator. a 18cub. refrigerator and a small chest freezer. Also a 750 watt microwave and a electric stove. besides lighting and hair dryer what type of standby generator would i be looking at to purchase. by Sherry Huff from Virginia on January 20, 2011
A: To properly size a generator you will need to know the stating amperage load of the equipment you are trying to power. The formula to calculate the wattage is starting amps x volts = watts. Since a certified electrician needs to install the generator, we recommend that you have them calculate your starting loads to make sure the generator is sized accordingly.
Proper sizing of the generator is crucial to the success of any installation and requires a good working knowledge of electricity and its characteristics, as well as the varying requirements of the electrical equipment comprising the load. When analyzing the electrical load, consult the manufacturer’s nameplate on each major appliance or piece of equipment to determine its starting and running requirements in terms of watts, amps and voltage. When choosing the generator output, select a rating that is approximately 20 to 25% higher than the peak load (for example, if the load is about 10 kilowatts, select a 15 kW generator). A higher rated generator will operate comfortably at approximately 80% of its full capacity and will provide a margin of flexibility if the load increases in the future. by Jim, Product Expert
Overall Rating
4.7
(Based on 14 Reviews)
Sort By
Jim Baugher, Product Expert Electric Generators Direct
Jim's Recommendation
A 14-kilowatt standby generator is a lot like a junior high schooler. It's more mature than any 7- or 10-kilowatt generator. But, it hasn't quite reached adulthood either.
If you want to run a central air conditioner, get something stronger. We recommend at least 15 kilowatts to run a 4-5 ton central air conditioner.
If you're willing to sacrifice the air conditioner, you can usually save some money by getting a 7- or 10-kilowatt generator instead.
This model is very popular with larger homes in northern states. It'll run the majority of the house - minus the air conditioner.
March 18, 2012
Bob Orting, WA
Generac Guardian 5872
The generator was received in good condition (crated very well). Installation was very and the hookup was easy, but I would suggest having an electrician hook it up. Everything went as planned. The instruction manuals were very well laid out. The generator tested out good and seemed very quiet. I would reccomend this to anyone needing a home generator.
December 29, 2011
Bob Katy, TX
Follow Up To Love It
We had an outage last night. The generator started itself after 30 seconds and 20 seconds after that it switched to generator power. I must say I was very impressed. It was WELL worth the money spent. LOVE IT......
December 18, 2011
Ginger Van Dyne, WI
A Piece of 'Mind'
Now we are set, let the power go out! Well, not really, but we feel at peace knowing the generator is now installed. My husband is an 'over the road Truck Driver', being home is not an option. So he finds ways to see that I am taken care of, the options are limited. This Generac Gardian, insures I will stay warm in the winter, cool in the summer, be able to cook and just the peace of mind for him out on the road knowing his wife is comfortable says it all.
November 10, 2011
George Fredericktown, PA
Generator Works Great - Problem w/ Battery Warmer
Delivery was prompt and the generator works great. The only problem is my battery warmer fried and can't get ANYONE to even respond (5 weeks and counting). I'm very afraid of service issues with Generac. Winter is almost here and now I had to purchase a different battery warmer to use until I can get this solved if ever. Also had issue with failed to start on an exercise once. But hasn't happened again.
EGD Responds: For information regarding your battery warmer, Please try contacting Generac directly @ (888) 436-3722 x5381
October 17, 2011
Mike Pittstown, NJ
General Contractor
This is my second generator purchase from EGD. This project is a little behind and the genny is still in the crate, but based on my past experience I am sure that my customer will be pleased.
October 08, 2011
Edmond Carmichaels, PA
Successful Event!
At first, I was a little apprehensive about ordering such a large item on-line. However, after placing my order the efficient and timely delivery of my Generac generator was very impressive. Your operation is to be commended and I would highly recommend to others to shop with you. My generator is currently installed and operating as expected.
October 07, 2011
Bob Katy, TX
Love It
I installed mine in one weekend and that includes running the gas line and wiring the panel. I did all of the pre-checks and everything works perfectly. The manuals were complete and answered all of my questions. My transfer switch needed to be installed outdoors so I had to buy an outdoor enclosure.($325.00) I wish I was offered an outdoor transfer switch so it would truly be one stop shopping. I haven't needed it for an actual outage yet, so it remains to be seen how it works. I have no fear that it will work as designed. Thanks again!!!!
July 19, 2011
Hugh Cottonwood, MN
Follow-Up Review
This is a follow-up to my earlier review. We had a 46 hour outage recently and my Generac worked like a charm. We had all the amenities while others worried (as we had in the past). This is a great unit and the people I dealt with were terrific. I recommend it with no reservations!
June 22, 2011
Hugh Cottonwood, MN
So Far So Good
It's too soon to tell, but we are already relieved to know that our heating and cooling (among other things) will still work after a power-outage. The installation went well, as did the test. But we have not yet had a real test. The manual is not that clear, but the people at Generac are terrific as are the people at Electric Generators Direct. Always willing to help and pleasant to deal with. We shall see.
February 24, 2011
Jeff Docter, WA
Holy cow! Permit?
Tried to be my own general contractor.
Ordered generator, hired electrician, contracted with propane company.
Delivered to tiny driveway under trees, very remote, in 28 foot truck. Very late in the afternoon, with driver in a rush to escape. I tried to warn them, but ...? Then, city permit hell. To get noise to 45 DBA, I proposed an enclosure using ridgid insulating foam. Based on the Generac specs, the city insisted on 3 feet at the front and ends, 18 inches at the back, and four feet over the top. Based on the Generac Specs, the city has rewritten its noise abatement requirements to require a 6'5" high enclosure 10 feet long and 6'6" wide. So, I built a fence and the inspector didn't check for noise.
Three days after the delivery, and dealing with the city about siting we noticed a tear in the shipping container and a dent in the end grating, but I had signed for the delivery, soo.
Install went pretty well, and we got the switch up and running in under 15 hours of electrician time. Tested fine, and went on when the power went out the following Saturday. Yeah!. Then, we refined our electric hook up, added circuits (not doing whole house) and it started but the switch failed. Finally called Peninsula Electric in Poulsbo and they came out the next day and replaced the "coil in the transfer relay switch."
In summary, not perfect, but acceptable, and we like the generator, though we will have to deal with the noise one day. No one at Generac would tell us how to reduce noise, without the huge enclosure. Not helpful.
Anyway, I think that I got pretty much what I paid for, and I am hoping for the best.
Tried to be my own general contractor.
Ordered generator, hired electrician, contracted with propane company.
Delivered to tiny driveway under trees, very remote, in 28 foot truck. Very late in the afternoon, with driver in a rush to escape. I tried to warn them, but ...? Then, city permit hell. To get noise to 45 DBA, I proposed an enclosure using ridgid insulating foam. Based on the Generac specs, the city insisted on 3 feet at the front and ends, 18 inches at the back, and four feet over the top. Based on the Generac Specs, the city has rewritten its noise abatement re... more
August 31, 2010
Theron Cape May, NJ
Great Purchase
Remarkable! Purchased and delivered in 1 week.
August 23, 2010
David Downey Philippi, WV
No more portable
I purchased this generator because I live out in a very rural area of West Virginia. My power goes out about every other month for a few hours and sometimes days.
I purchased the generator last fall. I installed the generator with my father in a day. It was very simple to install. The directions were very clear and accurate.
Before I purchased this unit I used a 4500 watt portable. This got me through but it was not easy. When the power would go out I would have to go to the basement, drag out the portable, and hook it up. This would get a little old at 2:00 in the morning.
Now all I have to do is count to 30 and everything comes back on. The unit I purchased is a 14kw. This is not big enough to run my whole house but it does run all the necessary things.
I can run my master bedroom and bathroom, microwave, frig, pelletstove, electric oven, electric hotwater heater, livingroom and TV, propane furnace, and a few more lights.
When I first looked at buying a generator I got a little afraid of the prices, but now that I have the unit working it was worth every penny.
I have programed the unit to run every Sunday morning while I am home to make sure everything is working correctly.
I also was concerned about how much propane the unit would use, but as far as I can tell it is very easy on the propane.
The last thing I would like to mention about the purchase is how good the help at Electric Generators Direct is. I submitted a question about my unit and in less than 24hrs I had a response that was exactly what I needed.
I would recommend a Generac generator to anyone who is sick of the power going out.
I purchased this generator because I live out in a very rural area of West Virginia. My power goes out about every other month for a few hours and sometimes days.
I purchased the generator last fall. I installed the generator with my father in a day. It was very simple to install. The directions were very clear and accurate.
Before I purchased this unit I used a 4500 watt portable. This got me through but it was not easy. When the power would go out I would have to go to the basement, drag out the portable, and hook it up. This would get a little old at... more
July 23, 2010
STEVE BLOEDOW Sleepy Eye, MN
Check the insulation
I just installed a Generac 14KW Model #5872. The install went well, did a test run with no load and all worked fine.
I closed the side and top panels and attempted a simulated outage with load connected, and the unit failed. I opened the top panel to find the rocker selector switch was in the off position.
Upon investigating found that the insulation on the top panel was hitting the switch and moving it to the off position. So I removed a square of insulation above the switch and all works fine.
I do not know if this is a inherent problem or if Generac has changed their insulation method.
I just installed a Generac 14KW Model #5872. The install went well, did a test run with no load and all worked fine.
I closed the side and top panels and attempted a simulated outage with load connected, and the unit failed. I opened the top panel to find the rocker selector switch was in the off position.
Upon investigating found that the insulation on the top panel was hitting the switch and moving it to the off position. So I removed a square of insulation above the switch and all works fine.
I do not know if this is a inherent problem or if G... more
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