I am close to buying a WRICO generator. Has anyone had any bad experiences with WRICO generators?
I have been working with Justin and he keeps assuring me the issues I have had with my Powertech generator over the years simply won't happen with a WRICO generator.
We have the 12.5 from Dick that works flawlessly. You can't go wrong with a Wrico unit, money well spent. ;)
When you buy a Wrico generator you get Dick and Justin. They are the most knowledgeable people about generators you will find and great to do business with. I have two of there generators and have never looked back
Wayne
Bought a 12.5 last spring only 65 hours on it but very happy, only thing you have to build an enclosure but that's what I wanted
I purchased a 13kw from Dick in 1999 a complete set up fans and the exhaust system,it had a head problem right after the install Dick was quick to overnight me a head and paid a outfit in Tenn to install it this was before Justin,prices have sure changed mine was $5400.00 with shipping 8)
You are about halfway between the two better suppliers of generators. The other one is Martin Diesel in Defiance, Ohio. They use Yanmar Diesels, and their generators are topnotch. They build units for military helicopters, and have a good history. I would compare your total price shipped from each place and see how it works out. I have both a Martin and a Wrico unit, they are both solid.
The 8K that I have from Dick was purchased by the PO 15 plus years ago, has worked flawlessly, I do "exercise" it on a regular basis if have not used. Also built a hushbox with material/instructions from Dick.
If you are limited to space the Onan QD could be a better choice because of design the radiator lays flat in the bottom and they only use 1 fan powered by the engine for fresh air intake and cooling,the fan belt is a bitch to change though
Quote from: luvrbus on October 06, 2020, 08:10:06 AM
If you are limited to space the Onan QD could be a better choice because of design the radiator lays flat in the bottom and they only use 1 fan powered by the engine for fresh air intake and cooling,the fan belt is a bitch to change though
Space really isn't an issue for the WRICO generator. I thought the Onan QD generators don't have a great reputation for reliability? A new QD 12.5 is more expensive than other options by a fair bit.
I talked to EPS and their enclosed 12.5KW is only about $9,500. The issue is the way they route they cooling air might not work.
Onan had their share of problems for a few years back about 15 years ago with electronic boards and magnets coming unglued in the head,It is a good product now,Cummins sells more RV generators that the rest all together they only make up to 12.5 for RV use.You know with the Tier 4 generator engine you are getting into a different world with emissions on those tiny engines buy old stock
I had a discussion with WRICO about tier 4 emissions at one point. There are very minimal changes to the small diesel engines used for small generators. No DPF, DEF, or anything like that.
Tier 4 has been in effect long enough that I don't know who would still have a new engine that is not tier 4 anymore.
Anything below 2017 Tier 4 does not apply ,Tier 4 raised the price 1000 to $2000.00 cost on those engines ,with turbos even more,when you replace the EGR valve Kubota uses the thing cost you a 1000 bucks just for the valve, the cooler is another 7 to 800 bucks, minimal changes I don't see it that way
I would probably have to search long and hard to find anyone who still has a pre 2017 engine still in stock. I assume WRICO, EPS, or Martin aren't going to have any old stock engines left.
If tier 4 is going to be an issue my choices are going to be to buy used, or put a new head on my engine. I really don't want to buy used and get someone else's problems. I see a lot of used generators that aren't much cheaper than new yet they have hundreds or thousands of hours.
Those engines have a 2 year or 2000 hour warranty ,I haven't seen failures on generators yet but on the tractors failures are around the 2500 to 3000 hour range ,that is why most owners buy the 3000 hour warranty on the tractors,I beleive you can buy that warranty for the generator engines also not that you would ever use a generator for 3000 hours in 3 years it may not be worth the cost
I talked to Justin about tier 4 emissions for the 12.5 KW generator. He said there is no EGR or oil cooler on the engine. He said the only thing he thinks Kubota did to meet tier 4 final emissions was to turn the torque down slightly. They used to be able to get 13KW out of it, but the tier 4 final engine can only make 12.5KW.
I don't know what engine he is using,you can skirt around it by using a industrial engine and not labeling the generator as for RV's
The 12.5 doesn't have a turbo or anything like that to go wrong
Seems like a solid engine although it doesn't burn quite as clean as I would expect but, I am used to def engines.
Justin was very clear they use a generator engine and not an industrial engine.
I would assume that an engine setup for generator use has to have much tighter speed control to maintain the frequency of the power, correct?
Wrico made a compact 12kw for me that uses a 3 cylinder Kubota and without radiator is only 36" long.
If you want a compact 8kw, then look at this Powertech. https://www.powertechgenerators.com/collections/enclosed-power-generators/products/low-profile-rv-and-truck-mobile-diesel-8-kw-generator
Quote from: belfert on October 06, 2020, 03:41:31 PM
Justin was very clear they use a generator engine and not an industrial engine.
t
I saw a new Onan at Cummins while there for service it was a EGR turbo Kubota it was so quite spinning at 3600 rpm,they seem to be spinning the generators now at higher rpm I guess to make the small engines run cleaner
Quote from: richard5933 on October 06, 2020, 03:49:39 PM
I would assume that an engine setup for generator use has to have much tighter speed control to maintain the frequency of the power, correct?
I believe one of the main differences with a generator engine is having a mechanical governor to maintain 1,800 RPM. My Powertech generator says right in the manual it has an industrial engine. It has an electronic governor because it is not built as a generator engine.
The 12.5KW WRICO seems to be standard now in the compact size. No way would I ever buy another new Powertech generator. I am definitely going bigger than 8KW if I buy a different generator anyhow.
The decision is down to do I buy a new 12.5KW generator from WRICO, or I do I buy a new 10KW generator head from WRICO to replace the head on my Powertech.
Quote from: luvrbus on October 06, 2020, 06:36:14 PM
t
I saw a new Onan at Cummins while there for service it was a EGR turbo Kubota it was so quite spinning at 3600 rpm,they seem to be spinning the generators now at higher rpm I guess to make the small engines run cleaner
That and you need 1/2 the copper windings, how do you think they make those portable 1800 watt generators so light? They spin fast and loud. 1800 RPM is the gold standard for quiet.
If you plan to be in high elevations at times, is it a good idea of getting one with a turbo?
My WRICO came with my bus in 2004 and has run flawlessly. The start battery for the generator is the only thing that I have had to replace. One time when I changed the coolant I got a bubble in the system and had to work it out. They are very responsive whenever I have called.
HTH
Melbo
I have decided to replace my generator with a new 12.5 KW model. A 10KW might work, but the price difference isn't all that much to go to 12.5KW. I am pretty sure it will be a WRICO. Justin has been very helpful.
Good afternoon bus folk!
We also went with a 10 Kw Kubota Generator from Wrico in our Moose Bus Conversion (#1). A little under 2,000 hours on it now & still going strong. Both Dick and Justin helped me over the first 3 - 4 years when I would have questions. They stuck with me and I appreciate that kind of solid business. Any new generator purchases we'd go to Wrico - highly recommended.
Hope this helps, Phil
One good thing is once you are a customer you are not forgotten, that is as Phil said "solid business". Ace bought the 12.5KW that he installed in his (currently our) H3, while looking for filter replacements I called Dick direct with the serial #'s and mentioned who the original purchaser was he knew exactly who it was and the year he sold it. Dick has provided quite a few Genny's to the entertainer Co's, Ours currently has under 300Hrs on it and performs flawlessly. Money well spent in my opinion. ;) :)
In all the years that there has been internet bus boards...
I do not recall anything but glowing positive reports about Wrico, their owners and employees.
Money spent on a Wrico is money well spent, as far as that goes.
Happy coaching!
Buswarrior
I recall years back when Kubota offered 2 grades of their little engines before the generator engines came on the market Dick and Bill got a lesson in buying the cheaper grade engine along with the cheaper generator heads ,one great thing is his products are simple and easy.One thing I never liked was the external mounted shut off for 300 bucks he used for a few years, you replaced every 2 years or around a 1000 hours it sucked
I've got a Wrico, guess it was a good choice. Maybe they'll be willing to advise me when the time comes to connect the automatic transfer switch.
Jim
Have a Wrico 15KW, Kubota Powered Gen Set and only has 435 hours since new (1991 XL Prevost) . Gonna have to pull as it will run for about 20 or 30 minutes and drop power. Always has and have had several look at it and never figured it out. The latest Texas Custom coach in Pipecreek Tx. back in Spring. They replaced the Inverter and transfer switch (second time) and told me like a few others that it was a heat shutdown issue. NO! It drops electric juice and colling fans quit. I had to figure that out myself after a few thousand dollars. Now gotta figure how, myself, to pull it on slide out to get it somewhere to fix. Wrico says it's probably a regulator problem.It will run all 3 cruiseairs when it's running, no problem. Fixing to sell this maintenance momma.
they did the conversion on our 4905. Nice workmanship, especially on the oak cabinetry. Nice to know they are still around.