Generac Guardian™ 14kW Home Standby Generator

I got Generac Guardian 5884 with 100 amp service rated ATS and couldn't be happier.

Running on generator power for third day due to snow storm, and no problems at all.
Got heat hot water and lights, generator is running 24 hours a day.

With temperature in the 30s in the morning generator runs like champ. great piece of equipment.

I live in a remote location, and power outages are frequent, and sometimes extended, as was the outage from the ice storm this February. I've owned a portable generator for the last 15 years, and it has performed well, although it is very limited, with a 6 KW capacity. I opted to go with a Generac 5884, 14 KW propane generator this year. This was a self-install, do-it-yourselfer project. Not to difficult for me as I'm an electrical engineer by profession.
So...........From the perspective of an engineer and installer, I have several little pet peaves with this unit, that do not detract from it's performance, but were major pains in the rear.
1) The ATS manual says that the control wiring has to be in a seperate conduit for the power wiring, yet the generator only has 1 pre-punched hole for conduit fittings, instead of 2. No biggy, I have the tools.
2) Most of us are not the 8 year olds you use to assemble these devices. For goodness sake, leave us some hand room. Warning to all, wear gloves and long sleaves. You will get cuts and scratches trying to get to your wiring.
3) Access to the battery is extremely difficult. You will need a 2 foot extention on your ratchet, to remove the bolts holding the end wall in place, in order to properly seat your battery.
4) There is supposed to be an internal battery charger - maintainer as standard equipment. If there is, it must be configured to maintain a charge of 12.8 volts. Due to the access issues, and charger issues, I will locate the battery in the garage, and run cables out to the generator.
5) I will with-hold criticism of using #10 gauge wire in your 60 amp internal circuitry, from an engineering standpoint.

From a consumers perspective, I am very well pleased. The 14 KW generator handles all of the load that I wanted it to, including the load of a 3.5 ton air conditioning unit. It is quieter than my portable generator, and it will not require me to make daily trips to the gas station, during an ice storm, to refill three 5 gallon gas containers.
Consumers will love this device. Only the installer will gripe.

I live in a remote location, and power outages are frequent, and sometimes extended, as was the outage from the ice storm this February. I've owned a portable generator for the last 15 years, and it has performed well, although it is very limited, with a 6 KW capacity. I opted to go with a Generac 5884, 14 KW propane generator this year. This was a self-install, do-it-yourselfer project. Not to difficult for me as I'm an electrical engineer by profession.
So...........From the perspective... more

I live in South Florida and a I'm a Hurricane Andrew survivor...This year we remodeled our house and made it hurricane resistant.

I had a portable 8KW generator, but to make the house more marketable, I decided to install a standby generator. I installed a 14KW Generac 5884 and I am overall very happy with the purchase, delivery and service.

However, I have one complaint... the specs on the generator says that it has a built-in battery charger. If you read further you find out that it is not included and it is actually not built-in. The battery charger is needed to keep the battery charged...why don't they just include the charger instead of calling it built in and then not providing the darn thing.

This decision must have been made by an accountant who was counting pennies and not focusing on customer satisfaction. Now I have to find a trickle charger and install it to keep the battery charged. To think that you spend $3000 on a generator and they don't install a $30 part that is needed, is simply dumb.

Otherwise everything is great with the Generator and Electric Generators Direct.

I live in South Florida and a I'm a Hurricane Andrew survivor...This year we remodeled our house and made it hurricane resistant.

I had a portable 8KW generator, but to make the house more marketable, I decided to install a standby generator. I installed a 14KW Generac 5884 and I am overall very happy with the purchase, delivery and service.

However, I have one complaint... the specs on the generator says that it has a built-in battery charger. If you read further you find out that it is... more

Since installing the generator, approx. 6 weeks ago, we have had 2 power failures, one of which lasted over two hours. Our generator kicked on, automatically within seconds, and we were very comfortable with complete use of all appliances.

We were the only home on our street to have power,. Many of our neighbors are now interested in adding a generator to their home.

This generator has been doing an outstanding job. It runs all of my appliances effortlessly. So easy starting and very smooth.

I had a 10 year old Generac that blew an engine during Hurricane Irene. It ran for 2 days, then no power for 3 more days. I waited too long to replace it and again lost power for 5 days during Sandy. That was it. I ordered the replacement Generac, as I was very happy with the old one and the new installation would be easier. It arrived on time and in great shape. My electrician installed it 5 days later. So far it's only had to start for the weekly test, but seems good to go. We may never loose power again. Saved a bunch of money by ordering it myself and hiring an installer, rather than having the installer do it all.

I had a 10 year old Generac that blew an engine during Hurricane Irene. It ran for 2 days, then no power for 3 more days. I waited too long to replace it and again lost power for 5 days during Sandy. That was it. I ordered the replacement Generac, as I was very happy with the old one and the new installation would be easier. It arrived on time and in great shape. My electrician installed it 5 days later. So far it's only had to start for the weekly test, but seems good to go. We may never loose... more

I would definitely recommend these systems- they are very efficient. They are a good idea with our aging power grids and the threat of terrorism (according to Homeland Security, the power grids are a target of terrorism). If one power grid system goes down, it is estimated to take 2 - 3 months before it could be restored.

This system is quite easy to install, and a friend and I installed the system in approximately 6 hours. Of course, a knowledge of electrical systems is very practical, and precautions are needed since you are working with very high voltage.

I would definitely recommend these systems- they are very efficient. They are a good idea with our aging power grids and the threat of terrorism (according to Homeland Security, the power grids are a target of terrorism). If one power grid system goes down, it is estimated to take 2 - 3 months before it could be restored.

This system is quite easy to install, and a friend and I installed the system in approximately 6 hours. Of course, a knowledge of electrical systems is very practical, and... more

I purchased the 14 Kw Generac Standby Generator in August, 2012, and had an electrician install it. Because I was away for a trip in early September, I did not run the generator on "Automatic" until I returned.

I have been home long enough for it to self-test twice and it did so right on time! While the best scenario would be for me to never have to use it, I now feel much more secure about our New England weather patterns of recent years.

I had been without power twice - each time lasting for 4 days and the temperatures were cold. Since I am totally dependent upon electricity for all power needs, I am most grateful to have a generator that will activate automatically in case of emergency.

I know two other people who have also bought Generac standby generators and both are equally satisfied with their purchases.

I purchased the 14 Kw Generac Standby Generator in August, 2012, and had an electrician install it. Because I was away for a trip in early September, I did not run the generator on "Automatic" until I returned.

I have been home long enough for it to self-test twice and it did so right on time! While the best scenario would be for me to never have to use it, I now feel much more secure about our New England weather patterns of recent years.

I had been without power twice -... more

Haven't had a chance to use the generator yet, but the exercising is right on schedule as programmed. Pricing was identical everywhere I looked.

The professional and knowledgeable staff of your company was the reason I chose Electric Generators Direct.com.

Your staff has been very helpful and courteous throughout the process. The Generator was delivered on time, the friendly driver unloaded it and placed it where I asked him to.

I will recommend your company to my friends.

It's not just ice storms and blizzards in the winter. Summer time people knocking down utility poles during the summer months. We feel a whole lot more secure knowing that the generator will kick in when the world wants us to go dark. The generator was delivered on time and in good shape. The delivery service man was great getting the generator straight into the barn off the truck before installation. He insisted that we take off the cardboard covering to make sure that there was no damage. The next day, Bill the electrician and I moved the generator into place and he did all the hard wiring. Bobby sent over Tom the next day to hook up the LP gas tank and lines. Billy came back and got the generator fired up. All is well in Penobscot, Maine.

It's not just ice storms and blizzards in the winter. Summer time people knocking down utility poles during the summer months. We feel a whole lot more secure knowing that the generator will kick in when the world wants us to go dark. The generator was delivered on time and in good shape. The delivery service man was great getting the generator straight into the barn off the truck before installation. He insisted that we take off the cardboard covering to make sure that there was no damage. The... more

I have several UPS devices for maintaining power to computers etc. and they are very sensitive to power fluctuations. When on generator power and my AC unit comes on, the UPS devices do not switch to battery or even alarm.

The generator delivers clean power even during high transient loads like an AC unit starting. I am very impressed with this generator.