I'm going to throw a question out there with the hope of getting some "hands-on" experience. Our power outages seem to be getting more common and much longer-lasting, and as we... shall I say... MATURE... these interruptions are getting more and more annoying. Long story short, we're planning on getting a backup generator. I just spoke to a local installer, and was informed that a 200 amp interface for Generac wouldn't be available until January 2023! Briggs and Stratton, on the other hand, could be had in about four weeks. So my question: Have any of you had any experience with either of these brands, or any other for that matter?

Ok, just got one set up, but not the automatic type.
Bought a “ portable “ one from Amazon, Westinghouse dual fuel-gas/propane 12kw or so. 
Put an interlock switch in the panel box, so no sub panel is needed. Male outlet on the house accepts 50 amp lead cord. 
It can’t run all circuits in the house, so some planning is needed. But it’s significantly less $$.

No personal experience as a "stand by unit" John as my generator is a portable, 5500w, 6500w peak. I have yet to install a manual transfer switch/ breaker panel. I just have a 30 Amp plug tied into the the house feed side of my 200 Amp main disconnect box. Throw the switch there first to prevent back-feed, then flip main box breakers off except for essential (heat, well pump, refrigerator). It was acceptable at the time.

 

However in your case assume you're looking for more kw and permanent install? Anyone in your area sell Kohler gensets? Not sure if Onan is still in that business as well. Also, you might check with an area Caterpillar or John Deere dealer; both do offer residential stand-by options.

I have a Westinghouse 7500/9500 portable. The unit has a remote control start or can be started at the unit. Has a battery start, no need to pull start though it does have a pull start Had an electrician wire it to the 200 amp panel with a transfer switch and wired a plug in box in a convenient location. No sub panel . His only recommendation was to not try to run electric heaters, if you have an electric water heater, shut it off and run it only at night when not using other electrical appliances.My unit is gas only but this unit is available for use with gas or propane. Ironically, I've had it for about 2 years and have never needed it. Purchased it because of frequent outages. Purchased mine at Amazon. 

We had a 22KW Generac installed about 5 years ago. No nat gas here, so it has a dedicated 500 gallon LP tank. Marie uses medical equipment at night and sleeps in an adjustable bed, so if our power goes out staying at a motel would be nearly impossible. Anyway, the 22 KW is 100 amps, so while it handles most everything, if we are running our heat pump it does put quite a strain on the unit when it (the HP) starts...the in rush is pretty heavy. But havng the whole house on it means that the shop and barn still have power as well (they are on subpanels). Otherwise the one thing about the Generac I don't like (maybe the other brands are like this as well) is that it has solid valve lifters that have to be adjusted periodically. After 25 hours, then again every 200 hours. Adjusting these is something I used to do years ago on my '55 Ford, but the generator is a bigger pain, so I have it done. If this one ever goes, I intend to check out Kohler because of the valve thing. The other maintenance items are fairly simple. Oil/filter changes, battery maintenance, stuff like that. But our power outages seem to have improved after I had it installed, I don't think it has 50 hours on it yet after 5 years...and that includes the 15 minute exercise run every week.

I should have mentioned above, Generac makes about 90% (I'm told) of the residential stand-by generators so they are always a safe buy when you think of long term parts/whatnot. They also make their own engines, engineered specifically for stand-by genny use...so despite my misgivings with the valve lifters, they are probably as good as it gets. Lastly, the electronics package (again, I'm told) comes from Honeywell, which is a giant in it's field on it's own....and the Generators sold under the Honeywell name (which is actually what I have) are re-labeled Generac. When you look uner the cover of mine all you see is the Generac name on everything.

Edited June 23, 20223 yr by Fred W. Hargis Jr

In the mountains, we had a 65KW Generac for around 15 years. Saved our bacon....and other things...our well and water pumps were electric, as well as the house lights and outlets, propane fired furnace's motor and, the propane range ,wouldn't light without electricity.  

Our electrical service was really bad. Wind, cold weather, rain, heck, cloudy days, often left us high and dry. Sometimes, for no discernable reason, we'd lose power. 

Now, down here, we've had no problems, thank goodness. 

I appreciate all your comments. The last two times we had extended blackouts, our neighbour ran a heavy extension cord over to us so that we could keep the fridges and freezer going. This meant that we would plug each one in for a few hours, then go to the next one, etc, etc. A minor inconvenience, but it saved the groceries. The problem with this system is that we have to be at home when the sh.. er.. STORM hit the fan, so to speak. If we were ever away for a few days in the winter, we could be returning home to frozen pipes, a couple of frozen aquariums, well you get the drift. And if the power should come back on with burst pipes, well, I don't even want to THINK about the mess!