Kohler no longer warrented for off-grid

Windsun
Windsun Solar Expert Posts: 1,164 ✭✭
in Solar Product Reviews & Opinions #1
For those of you with or considering buying a Kohler generator for off-grid use, Kohler is no longer honoring warranties on most (all??) generators.
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  • boB
    boB Solar Expert Posts: 1,032 ✭✭✭✭
    #2
    Re: Kohler no longer warrented for off-grid

    Yes, I saw this on another list.
    So, tell me, where else would you USE a generator besides off grid ?

    I guess they mean for it to be used for backup power when the grid goes out.
    Low duty cycle and very intermittently. So, why don't they just use a run timer and say it is only warranted for so many hours of run time ?
    I can only interpret this to say that Kohler has been having lots of failures.

    boB
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  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,613 admin
    #3
    Re: Kohler no longer warrented for off-grid

    I was looking through their website for the actual warranty document--did not find one of their 1/3/5 year limited warranties. :confused:

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
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  • Cariboocoot
    Cariboocoot Banned Posts: 17,615 ✭✭✭
    #4
    Re: Kohler no longer warrented for off-grid

    I'd think it would mean not warranted for continual off-grid power supply, as opposed to occasional power. Maybe they feel the gen needs to rest once in a while. From a technical standpoint, there is no difference; the thing runs, it makes power, you use the power. Does it matter where or when or for what? Nope. Adverse conditions and poor maintenance would void the warranty anyway.

    Warranties! Most of the time they're not worth the paper they're printed on anyway. :grr
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  • Vic
    Vic Solar Expert Posts: 3,208 ✭✭✭✭
    #5
    Re: Kohler no longer warrented for off-grid

    Some time ago was looking for an LP genset rated for Prime Power, could not find a Kohler Prime rated genset smaller than 25 KW (which is large for residential off grid use).

    But, given the recent reliability of our grid utility (PG&E), Standby use can run into days and days of gen run-time, which is really Prime Power. Another factor might revolve around non PFC-corrected Chargers, and the peak demands they can place on gensets.

    My on grid site has had more generator run time than my off grid site. Vic
    Off Grid - Two systems -- 4 SW+ 5548 Inverters, Surrette 4KS25 1280 AH X2@48V, 11.1 KW STC PV, 4X MidNite Classic 150 w/ WBjrs, Beta KID on S-530s, MX-60s, MN Bkrs/Boxes.  25 KVA Polyphase Kubota diesel,  Honda Eu6500isa,  Eu3000is-es, Eu2000,  Eu1000 gensets.  Thanks Wind-Sun for this great Forum.
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