Would this be good for a whole house generator?

DangerRuss

Space Unicorn soaring thru the stars
Charter Member
Vendor
Multi-Factor Enabled
Joined
Dec 16, 2016
Messages
3,310
Location
Apex, NC
Rating - 100%
176   0   0
Hey!
I have the opportunity to get this generator for $10k. That is a lot of money to us, so not a decision I take lightly. It’s not something we were planning to buy, but if it’s a deal that I shouldn’t pass up, I might be able to make it happen. Can anyone give advice whether it’s a good deal? @1911gobang ?

MTU 60kw
5.7L Chevy engine that runs on natural gas
240V single phase
200A Asco transfer switch
Some kind of water heater (is this a block heater for the engine?)

This was for a VERIZON cell tower that used to be in the steeple of our church. When they pulled the tower out, VERIZON gave the church a deal on the generator, and the church is now selling it to make some money.

Would this be suitable (although overkill) for me to use as a home whole house generator?
Would I be better off passing it up and getting a different model/style later if I found a deal?

Any questions I should ask about it?

Is it a good deal at $10k?
If not, what should I offer for it?

Thanks!
Richard
 
Last edited:
Last edited:
Is anyone interested in this if I am not? If so, I can get you contact info. Located in Fuquay, sitting on a church members trailer
 
Richard, I have a lot of knowledge in this area.

  1. It is way overpriced for what it is. Should be around 2K - 3K for that used package. FYI a new 200A transfer switch can be picked up for around $1,100.
  2. 60KW is about 3X larger than what you would ever need, assuming a 2,500 square foot house that is all electric. 20KW will pull air conditioner, water heater and stove / dryer simultaneously.
  3. If it's single phase, that generator puts out 250A. Most home electrical services are only 200A and you rarely - if ever - pull that amount of power.
  4. You can buy several good brands of 20KW standby generators, with automatic transfer switches, for around 6K Brand New.
  5. Guess how much Natural Gas that thing will draw? 800 cubic feet an hour at full load. Depending upon the length between the meter and your generator you may have to install 1-1/2" - 2" pipe to feed it.
  6. A 20KW unit will only consume 225 CFH at full load and around 140 at 50% load - a major difference.
  7. At low load, with a 20KW unit you're only having to provide fuel for a 1 liter engine, versus a 5.7 liter with the Verizon generator.
The good is that it's a great brand of a commercial generator. But so is Peterbilt and that's not your best choice for a commuter vehicle.

Bottom line - bad deal for you.
 
Thank you all for your replies!
I knew I could get great advice from this forum. :)

It sadly doesn’t surprise me that it’s not a good price. The people making these kind of decisions at the church don’t know what they are doing, but won’t take advice. They probably paid more than the $3000 price that Scott mentioned as a reasonable value, and are now expecting to make money off of it.
 
Last edited:
Having been on the carrier side of these transactions, the church should have offered to allow them to abandon it without penalty.
 
Back
Top Bottom