KOHLER Generators 12RESVL100 Amp Standby Indoor Generator, 12-Space with Load Center Automatic Transfer Switch, 12000-watt

July 2022 Update: Due to Rodent intrusion in the exhaust hole:One minor flaw in this design is the cabinet's exhaust outlet of that 725cc twin tractor motor..The exhaust pipe terminates about 1" before a 1 7/8" HOLE in the side of the cabinet. That tiny hole - believe it or not - attracts rodents/mice to come in and eat all that insulation, wires, and basically make a mess of it. Extending the exhaust pipe is possible with some tweaks, but the pipe is maybe 1 1/4", so there is still a gap.NOTE: I had to completely replace my unit due to this "rodent intrusion" exhaust hole.The larger form factor box has no such exhaust hole... in the cabinet. It's almost worth not taking the chance with this smaller form factor unless you block off the hole with the following:* An Oatey Drain .. (STRONGLY RECOMMENDED) with it's bendable tabs. Oatey 42005 4-1/4-in Round Snap-Tite Strainer, Stainless Steel - found also at Lowes under part 420054. It's bendable tabs on the rear keep it in place as the exhaust pounds against that external hole in the cabinet.. It effectively keeps the mice out... and should be included with the unit. Mouse intrusion (eat wiring, smell) isn't something you want on an emergency "gen set"BEGIN REVIEWFor many years, I used a 2000W Yamaha portable generator for the occasional power outage.See my review: Yahama 2000W Portable Generatorhttps://www.amazon.com/review/R1RRWO5B1HD4BR/ref=cm_cr_srp_d_rdp_perm?ie=UTF8A few years ago, I bought this unit - for use with natural gas - and I'm glad I did. This Kohler 12KW (in smaller footprint) is a nice unit - compact (caveats above). My setup uses a 16 circuit transfer switch (by Kohler) and I had the whole setup professionally installed.I realize not everyone has natural gas.. (furnace, stove), but this setup works well for me.Though this Kohler has a somewhat commercial air-cooled engine (KT-725 if you're interested), it's an air-cooled GARDEN TRACTOR 2-cylinder motor (who are we kidding?). But, hey, it's durable.For me, I believe this 12KW small footprint unit is the sweet spot for the Kohler product line.Change the oil yourself once a year and use the larger capacity oil filter Kohler Engine Oil Filter Extra Capacity I installed the larger box 14Kw at another house - it is longer, has a quieter cabinet, and though it uses 2gals/hr propane consumption on the bigger unit, at least the cabinet is SEALED completely - and doesn't have any exhaust hole (like the smaller cabinet 12kw) - that could let in rodents.Basic Maintenance(1) Check Generator oil occasionally.(2) Change the oil filter and use the higher capacity one B000O3IAE6 Kohler High Capacity Oil Filter (3) Spark plugs - it's a twin-cylinder - and one is harder to get at ..Some have mentioned high oil consumption; I use their 5w30 Kohler synthetic and don't have any issues, but quality can vary like anything else... and of course # hours affects this.. If the unit only does the Saturday 20min cycles, you get 17h usage a year... vs perhaps 100-150/yr average if your area has typical outages of 1 day every 3-6 months..Check You Tube occasionally. If you have some issue with your unit - loose wire from factory, etc. some tech might have a video "what to check" or a solution.What Kohler could improve(1) Load sensing circuit - so the unit wouldn't have to run wide-open (3600RPM) all day and night and both conserve fuel and run quieter. My sense is this motor could idle at 1500RPM all day long and power my house at that level 90% of the time at ~30-40% of its capacity (3500-5000W), and definitely at night where barely 2000W is needed for the occasional refrigerator startup. Even my portable Yamaha 2000w had Eco-Mode.(2) Quieter muffler/operation.Yes, it's a garden tractor motor, please Kohler spend $20 on R&D... and find a way to make this 10Db quieter... It can be done... it's a selling / marketing plus(3) Include Kohler On-Cue monitoring with all new generators.OF COURSE I want to monitor the system remotely, etc.(4) There should be a nighttime mode where the user can completely shut off operation(s) and / or go to 25%, 50% engine speed, etc. - with the unit software override when load demand comes ....====== UPDATES =======-- October 17 2019 Maintenance update --Ready to change oil & filter B000O3IAE6 Kohler High Capacity Oil Filter .=> 20min weekly autorun x 52 weeks = 17hrs + 3 days (24x3) ~~ 90hrs runtime=> The dipstick was halfway between Full & Add (1/2 quart roughly).I use the 5W30 Kohler Full Synthetic for full oil changes, but fill with Valvoline Full Synthetic 5W30 in-between changes if needed (not ideal, but it's what I have). Didn't have time for oil change today, big windy storm, so I added the 1/2 quart Valvoline.So, if you think burning 1/2 quart in a 2qt system every 100hrs is about average, Kohler's are likely no better or worse than any other tractor motor with similar 2 cylinder 725cc.If your Kohler is running 3-4 days straight (~75-100hrs), expect about 1/2 quart down... You may have to shut down the generator for a few minutes and check the oil.================

Excellent. It has more than 1,100 hours and works wonderfully, every day enduring being without electricity in Venezuela, it turns on every day 5 hours a day and possibly more hours. The key to everything is keeping up-to-date

I purchased my Kohler generator a few years ago. Overall cost with electrician, gas hookup, Kohler service tech (for warranty purposes) and cost of generator was around $7500. I have performed the annual oil/filter and spark plug changes (which is the only maintenance that is to be performed until 300 hours per the owner’s manual.) The first oil change is scheduled for 100 hours or annually. Its first failure occurred at only 82 hours and cost $200 dollars to repair. At 150 hours it will no longer run...again. Despite endless phone calls describing the situation and disappointment in their product, Kohler customer service and management has refused to help. I tried to get the Kohler tech that did the initial start and checks on it for warranty purposes to come and repair it. Six weeks later I still couldn’t get him here. He stood me up twice. I contacted Kohler for another recommended tech who charged me $550 dollars and it still doesn’t run! We were left without power (or running water) for 4 days during this. No help from Kohler! I am now told it will cost anywhere from $1500-2800 to repair and Kohler will not help with the cost of parts or labor! Are you kidding me!? This would be like buying a new car and before its first scheduled oil change the car won’t start! I would expect more from a company and would imagine that they would want to stand by their product. Kohler is not a reputable company based on my experience with them. I am stuck and will likely have to replace my generator with another brand as the cost to repair this piece of junk will be more than the price of a new generator. Please take my advice. Avoid purchasing a Kohler product.

This thing has been a lifesaver! We finally had it up to here with the power going out and decided to get set up with a generator. Now the lights stay on, and we couldn't be happier!

We lost power at our cabin during a recent snow storm. The generator worked like a charm with no problems. We are grateful for the investment we made. Money well spent