Customer Reviews for GE 13,000-Watt Air Cooled Standby Generator System with Symphony II Whole House 200-Amp Automatic Transfer Switch

fail at 45 hr an change the engine. no work I have to pay for gas regulator 3 time because the mechanic no use pressure clock.

Looks good but I did not get the transfer switch with the sale

Our unit has been leaking oil for over a year now and the local service rep keeps coming out every couple months saying that GE or Briggs and Stratton or whoever is supposed to be responsible won't tell them what to do about it and this is the second group of contractors to work on the unit, the first group of contractors that were supposed to service the unit under warranty never returned our calls for over a month. On top of the continuing oil leak the unit has gone into fault code twice, both times in the middle of winter during sub zero temps but they say it is not the temps that cause it. Calls to GE did nothing to help with the situation and Home Depots acts like they no nothing about it if you call them. I suggest doing some research with a local generator company before buying a unit like this, I wish I had.

Bought this unit and had it installed by Home Depot's vendor. Used in several times in the nine months since installation. During normal weekly exercise period unit shut down do to fault code six. Turns out the engine failed and needs to be replaced. I have received nothing but poor service from Home Depot's vendor. Unit has been down almost four weeks. Vendor does not return phone calls or show up when promised. If you look at GE's video's on You Tube, they are selling this product based on your life not being interrupted when the power goes out. True, if the unit was running. But, mine isn't. I would be better off having a portable generator at a fraction of the cost, to use when the power goes out. It's simple design would mean less chance of it break downs and if it did fail you could hop down to the hardware store and buy another and be up and running in one day. I had a 5kw generator that got me through storms for years and never failed. I wish Home Depot would take this back.

I've had mine for nearly five years and it was needed only twice for several hours. It performed well. About 6 months ago, the unit was unable to start up during the weekly test cycle (F4 error code). It would attempt to start, run very roughly, sometimes backfire and then quit trying after 5 or so attempts. Service people came out 2 weeks after I called and it ran fine. Now, it is not starting again (F4 error). They suspected a bad regulator but did not have the part. Conclusion: the generator is fine when it works, but I cannot find a reliable service group (Southern Illinois) to work on it. Maybe the only solution is to learn to to repair it myself. I wonder if this is typical of most home generators, including Generac?

Great machine. Technology makes it so. Instead of spending more for a bigger machine, buy this machine. It is smarter. I have 3500 square feet. Biggest draws are electric cooktop, double electric oven, and 2 air conditioners. This machine ran whole cooktop and double oven by drawing only 42 amps. 2 acs at 22 amps. As long as you don't run everything at once this unit is great. Buy a bigger one and it will just cost you more to buy and run. Haven't had an outage but exercises weekly great. Didn't buy from Home Depot but would recommend this machine highly. For the cost you won't get better. Nice to have peace of mind and not have to worry about starting a portable machine or having fuel to fill it. Some say it is loud. It's not that bad and for a few hours or days who cares. Better to have power than quiet.

When it works all is great. We were shut down during recent power outage. Unit failed f5. Need to replace board. Tech showed at our home and asked how to remove side panels. After an hour found picture of unit on his phone to identify parts. They don't stock parts. Now we wait for parts in another storm. We suggest GE tests the capability of techs and mandates a minimum parts inventory. Finally, like cars, the fault code should note failed part and signal to tech phones parts needs to save trips and anxiety. Call into tech center went unanswered for now about 24 hours.

This is an update from my last review in February 2013 The GE area manager John and I talked on the phone and he said he would have a Tec call our GE certified installer and service rep and trouble shoot the problem well here we are in January 2014 and just went through a Ice storm and was with out power for 1 week The generator did run but keep kicking the F6 code( engine over seed) and shutting down I would have to go out and reset the generator at least 3 to 4 times in a 24 hr period every day to keep the power on. When I talked to John with GE his last words to me in feb2013 was that they would get it fixed or replace it. I think that we have gotten a lot of Lip service from GE and I am going in to the home depot where we purchased it along with 2 other and 1 of the other 2 is having the same problem as mine Yes this is correct we purchased 3 generators at the same time and 2 of the 3 are having the same F6 code problem. One of them we have been waiting on a part since the week before Christmas and still have not received it yet. My comment is to Home Depot When you buy a new GMC you don't go to Detroit to get it fixed you go to the dealer that sold it to you So if GE wont stand behind their product Home Depot should

the only problem I found was with the transfer switch the Neutral lug was in a bad location it had to be moved so that the grounded conductor wouldn't lay across the circuit board I relocated it to the top of the panel next to the generator breaker it worked fine the generator works fine I haven't needed it yet but it starts once a week and does its exercise it would be nice if that feature was adjustable like every 2 weeks and having to purchase the cold weather kit separately is wrong its another $150,00 that should come with it and it defiantly shouldn't cost $150.00

Where to start - It took almost a year from the time we bought this expensive generator until it was up and working. Home Depot sold it including installation. They oversold and had to hire less competent folks to install it. No one coordinated the town permitting process, the propane company and the electrician. It would have been nice if GE or HD had supplied a process sheet for the buyers so we did not have to guess whose move was next. Their electrician was awful and very high maintenance. Finally got another electrician who was very good, but mystery charges starting popping up. $300 for the "bed" for the generator to sit on? Would have liked to know up front what charges we could expect. We haven't needed it so have not checked the generator until today. It's dead as a doornail. Propane guys don't know what to do. Tracked down GE Tech support. He suspects the battery is dead. Gave me a list of approved electricians. Is it covered under warranty? Won't know til it's diagnosed and we are handed a bill, or not. So far we have spent thousands of dollars and spent hundreds of hours, being frustrated at every turn. Run don't walk to Generac. And stay away from Home Depot for expensive machines. They are great for garden supplies. but terrible when any kind of support or customer service is in order.

Good product, works as it should without a hitch so far. Only needed it once so far, but very comforting to know it's there. My ONLY complaint is the noise level, but hey, as long as it does the job.

Very nice unit. Smart generator, runs my entire 2500sq ft. house, including my 4 ton A/C. Electrical installation cost me $1500 and make sure you have an electrician do it!

i have not heard it run yet, but i did have to have a new part sent to me and i was very pleased to have a clear speaking person on the other end, thank you.

I wrote in my Review that I keep getting the F11 code in fact it is a F8 which is some thing to do with the transfer switch and the most recent if the F6 code We have had the Gen hooked up since march 2012 has not run right yet we have been lucky it has run 2 out of 6 power outages

this is my second GE generator with the Symphony II transfer switch. The transfer switch can be mounted outside or inside the home. I mounted it outside both times which eliminated the need for a outside disconnect switch because they are built into the unit. The setup directions are accurate. The generator has provisions for easily moving it considering it weighs over 500 pounds. The performance and features are top notch. The load shedding relays are a great way of installing a smaller generator and getting the most out of it. I recommend this product and will install more of them.

We purchased this generator in 2011 but it wasn't installed until Feb 2012. Although it ran reliably during the weekly monitor testing, when we had occasion to need it during storm Sandy, it shut down after 5 hrs. of operation on the first day of our power outage (the outage lasted 4 days). The servicer came out the next day but after nearly 2 hrs. on the phone with GE tech support they determined a part needed to be ordered. The part arrived on 11/6 and the servicer returned on 11/8. They then found another issue (i.e., a sealed bearing within the rotor failed). We've been told this part will arrive on 11/20. At this point we have little confidence that this machine can be fixed to run without issue given the significant part failure within 9 mos. of installation.

I installed and wired this generator 4 weeks prior to New Jersey getting hit with the worst hurricane in it's history. Power was out for 2 weeks. This generator worked flawlessly for all the time the power was out. I was able to run the generator at certain times of the day by simply turning the switch on and off inside the control panel in order to save gas. I would highly reccomend this generator. The setup instructions were excellent. I am a very handy person and was able to do all of the wiring and plumbing myself.

I ordered this the day after irene hit in ct. I had gas piping near where I wanted to mount it. My umber friend did he gas piping and I wired the electrical myself. I did my house service slits was not too bad. Wouldn't you know we got hit with the ice storm in ct a week later. I only had a 60 gallon tank. This only gives about 50hrs of use. Since en I added 4 hundred pounders with 2 tied together at once. No one out deliver me propane at the time. With his setup we got sandy. I would run it from 5pm till midnight and 5am til 8 with no issues. Much enter fuel consumption that way and you just flip a switch. I now have 111 hours on this bad boy and it runs everything. My only suggestion would be a way to put it on a timer if you are away. Because it sucks the fuel down. I am very happy with this investment and ave been glad to have it ! Also note this has the best features for the money period.

We installed a unit and kept getting the Fault Code 6 (engine overspeed). We had several storms and the unit failed both times. The installer replaced the entire unit. We thought that was great until the weekly tests quit running. Guess why? Fault Code 6! They came to "repair" it. Well now the storm of the century on the East coast and guess what? Fault Code 6!!! What a waste of money.

Ordered this after last year's early snowstorm that put our power out for 6 days, which came 2 months after we lost power with hurricane Irene for 2 days and the numerous other outages we experienced last year with the weather. We have a well, so no water when the power goes out, not to mention the hundreds of dollars worth of food that spoiled each time. We researched several brands and decided on this one for the power management feature. Didn't really care about doing the whole house as long as we had water, refrigerator and a few lights, but for the price difference it was worth the upgrade to the 13kw to run it all. We got the unit delivered within a couple of weeks from Home Depot, but due to everone installing generators, we had to wait several months for propane tank due to supply shortage and then once that got delivered, we had to wait for the electrician, because everyone's tank was coming in at the same time. Aside from the delays beyond everyone's control, the electrician said the installation was a breeze and, as a dealer of another major brand, he was very impressed with the features offered with this unit/price. Once installed, unit fired right up and does its weekly test. Now we have piece of mind when the power flashes that we don't have to worry about how long it will be out for and that we'll be up and running within a few seconds. No setting up a portable unit, no gasoline to lug or store, no frozen pipes in a blizzard and we'll have a/c if its out during a heatwave. This is the best home improvement investment we have EVER made!

This generator was professionally installed in Maine. It worked for about 2 months then fault code (FC-6) showed up. It stands for engine over speed. The electrician called to do warranty work said It appears to be the mechanical governor. They are doing a good job, but they've been waiting a week to hear from GE. Electrician said GE needs to recommend/send out engine repair tech to fix engine speed. Meanwhile I've been without back up for a month now. My initial call to GE was so frustrating as I got transferred 3 times, twice to the wrong department. Then all they do is give you the local number for the warranty electrician in your area. No big help. I'll update post once the gene is repaired.

I reviewed this generator on 2/18/12 and wanted to give an update. The problem I appeared to have, was my fault, due to not reading the Operators Manual completely. I found that the numbers showing up on the digital panel, were hours of use. That explained why the numbers changed and I couldn't clear them. A dumb mistake on my part. I have revised my rating accordingly. If you check my previous rating was high, even with what I believed to be a problem. I highly recommend this generator package. Read all the written documentation very carefully and don't make the mistake I did.

I installed this unit about 2 months ago and it was very easy. I am a licensed electrician and this does require a professional installation. My particular situation included a major retrofit. My unit has been running flawlessly (exercise cycle and outage) until today. I needed to disconnect the generator and followed the procedure in the book. I pulled the 15 amp fuse and shut off the circuit breakers in the generator and the transfer switch. When I reversed the procedure I received an error code 4 which was( unable to start). I cleared that code and received another error code 5 (low frequency). I have been unable to clear that code. The generator seems to run properly under outage and exercise. I will be doing a frequency test tomorrow, but I doubt that is the problem. I may have a defective sensor or device. I will update as soon as I find the problem. If the frequency needs to be adjusted the procedure of bending the tang and spring seems to be a crude method, not very "high tech" for a unit such as this.I am rating this highly, because prior to today the unit was perfect.

This is a very good unit for the money. My electrician charged around $1800 plus $120 for the battery. Although, this unit has load shedding capability, you must buy additional low voltage modules which can be around $110. Not sure why the low voltage module was not included and 2 high voltage modules were that can't be used to shed the AC units.

Terrific design with modules that off-load non-essential circuits when maximum load is reached. Crude mechanical design (bending a metal tab instead of using a mechanical device) to regulate the output frequency. Generator keeps getting a fault reading of FC 06 - and bending the metal tab does not bring it into limits. No customer service available over the entire week between Christmas and New Years Eve - only a recording. Still waiting.

I owned a Generac generator at a previous home. When we decided to get a standby generator for our new home, I thoroughly researched both Generac and GE systems. Generac still makes a good generator, but I think GE's smart panels have given them an edge now. We installed this 13kw unit (after somewhat of a wait because of the early snowstorm on the east coast), and just conducted a test. It handled our 3.5 ton AC with no problem. It's great peace of mind having this thing sitting out there, ready to go!

I bought this Generator when I saw it at Home Depot on sale. Had it placed in my garage until the Generator people could get it installed. Turns out the county will not allow the Symphony Panel to be installed because my oven is 3 wire not 4 wire. The Generator people has been talking to GE about getting another panel that would be allowed. It has been several weeks & no luck so far. Everything else is hooked up & ready to go. I wished I would of called the Generator people first & went with them. Could of avoided this problem.

This unit is a great deal. Installed on my home with (2) 3 ton A/C units. Transfer switch works flawlessly. My A/C units cycled between the two and my house stayed cool during a outage. I was a little put off that it did not come with the remote monitor, but now see that they are offering a wireless unit. Make sure you get a qualified electrican to install, it's a little more complicatied pulling the large service cables into and ouit of the transfer switch. My neighbor thought we got a third A/C unit. It really is that small.

This generator and the accompanying modules make this an ideal choice for anyone who wants a whole house electricity backup. We adapted it to propane, and once the fuel and electric hook ups were complete, we tested the unit by shutting down the service to the house. The generator started and the transfer unit switched to backup power without any hitches. It was if the unit had been in service for years. This is a high quaility unit and was developed with the user in mind. It is simple to operate and was designed for efficiency and ease of operation without taking up a lot of space. I highly recommed this unit to anyone!

I bought this over a year ago and it has been very reliable, Currently has about 40 hours runtime with only one 16 hour extended power outage. Runs my whole house which includes two 3 ton AC units, 50 gallon Electric water, range, pool pump and the rest of the house. It's a smart unit which will only allow one of the two AC units to run simultanesouly if available current is not enough. Same goes for my water heater. Neither were an issue when we lost power for 16 hours @ 95 degrees and my house was cooled just like I was on utility power. Warranty and maintenance is a snap. I also added whole house surge protector to protect the unit ($125.00) as well as my house electronics. This Genset does exactly what is says it will and is very quiet, very well built and powerful. It is a smart system which makes it very fuel efficient using a little more then 1 gallon per hour of propane. Other makes would need to be over 15KVW to support my house power requirements, using more fuel!