Generac QuietSource Series™ 22 kW Standby Power Generator (Premium-Grade)

Jim Baugher,
Product Expert
Electric Generators Direct

It was with great trepidation that I undertook this project however, living in a semi-urban area of Michigan, when we lose power, it is for days and not hours. I have been running on and 8.5k commercial site grade gasoline powered generator from Generac for years. So after dealing with gassing up the generator for 2 days last year, I started this project.

Last fall, I installed the transfer switch. By the way, one should not really attempt this on their own without a proper knowledge of National Electric Code. An electrician is probably the best route. Ok, I am not an electrician, but I am an electrical engineer and I know the building inspector as well as the NEC. The transfer box is easy to hang and easy to wire, but you MUST absolutely plan on pulling the meter to avoid a one way trip to the morgue. This means that you must plan for your house to be without power during this project. The transfer box goes between the meter and the breaker box, so it is absolutely imperative to work on the meter box. Always use NoAlox or equivalent on all connections. The transfer box can be safely installed in under 8 hours without installing the generator. This allows the generator project to be done in phases if weather (or money) do not permit. This piece of the project must be treated like a two person project, one to work and one to be there to call for help if the unthinkable happens. DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS PROJECT ALONE, EVER!

After the box was in, I trenched (30") and ran the 3 conduits to the house (One for power, one for battery charger, and one for signal lines). As an aside, make sure that you run a few extra signal lines in case something should break during the wire pulling.

I was concerned about the stability of the pad, so I put the pad 36" down and 6-12" above grade. It used a lot of cement. Note, you have to be very careful in placing the conduit so that you can center the generator on the pad. After installing the unit, I found out that this was overkill because the unit runs so smoothly.

Winter set in and the whole project went onto hold for 6 months. The switch, conduit, cabling, and pad were installed, but no generator.

Fast forward to 3/22 the next year. The generator arrived via freight. Note that the shipping does not include getting the generator off the truck. You have to pay extra for a liftgate to get it off the truck (or have a friend with a forklift or boom truck). This unit is very heavy (close to 1000lbs). Do not try to get a team of friends to hoist it ... use proper machinery. In my case, I made arrangement$ with the freight hauling company in advance to unload the generator and leave it in my driveway. My friend with his industrial boom truck arrived about 15 minutes later and we had it on the pad, generally in a proper location, but certainly good enough to start working.

The wiring of the unit is generally straightforward, EXCEPT for the Battery Charger input. The T1 line to the transfer switch must share the same connector as the Battery charger input. The installation directions do not tell you that these two inputs must be IN PHASE at all times for the system to work properly. So ... with the wired disconnected and both circuits active, you must test to make sure that you have 1 volt on this line, or you must move the breaker up or down 1 space in your circuit box.

Now everything is wired, I hoisted the unit enough to put a small non water absorbing (rubber) piece under the unit, so the frame would not be resting on the cement. Then I drilled the holes and anchored the unit to the cement. This is most easy if done in advance of setting the unit, but it makes tweaking the placement of the unit impossible. Hooking the gas up is easy, it is a 3/4" fitting on the same side of the unit as the battery. The control unit is on the opposite (long) side of the unit. Take this into account when placing the unit.

While mounting the unit, it looks nice, but I feared that its industrial look might not please the neighbors, so I build a surround that is open in the back and has lattice work to obscure the view. Photos are attached. I allowed 5" clearance on the bottom and at substantial clearance on the sides, so the exhaust would not melt the lattice or the engine overheat.

At last the big moment came ... I registered the unit by logging into the website provided with the unit serial number on the side of the electrical box in the generator. Took the password and entered it on the menu system. Hit the button and ZOOM! the rest is kismet.

The generator is quiet, quick and easy to start, and runs unbelievably smoothly.

It was with great trepidation that I undertook this project however, living in a semi-urban area of Michigan, when we lose power, it is for days and not hours. I have been running on and 8.5k commercial site grade gasoline powered generator from Generac for years. So after dealing with gassing up the generator for 2 days last year, I started this project.

Last fall, I installed the transfer switch. By the way, one should not really attempt this on their own without a proper knowledge of National Electric Code. An electrician is probably the best route. Ok, I am not an electri... more

Sold my 20kw 3600 rpm (too noisy)and purchased this 1800 rpm 22kw quiet source. Its a great machine and much quieter. It has extra power available for my two neighbors and still runs everything in the house with no problem.

I sometimes wish electricity would go out for a few hours so I can turn on my porch lights showing all of those without power they should also get one. I love it. I look at it as insurance. Would not want to be without it.

I've installed a double pole single throw switch to make or break the power to the two (2) five amp fuses in the transfer switch panel. I just flip the switch which I installed inside of the house and run the gen under a whole house load for as long as I want to. (usually about one hour per week) I do not think that the twelve (12) minute weekly unloaded test is adequate. It needs to be run with a load of at least fifty (50) percent.

Sold my 20kw 3600 rpm (too noisy)and purchased this 1800 rpm 22kw quiet source. Its a great machine and much quieter. It has extra power available for my two neighbors and still runs everything in the house with no problem.

I sometimes wish electricity would go out for a few hours so I can turn on my porch lights showing all of those without power they should also get one. I love it. I look at it as insurance. Would not want to be without it.

I've installed a double pole single throw switch to make or break the power to the two (2) five amp fuses in the transfer... more