Correspondence with Kraft Power (Kohler’s Distributor)

When I initially discovered the issues with my generator, I first contacted Jim Cady of Kraft Power, the company that supplied the generator to the house. Their position, as is mine, is that Kohler is responsible for replacing the deteriorated parts. Below the break is a summary of my correspondence with them.

Sent: October 23rd, 2006

Jim,
See the attached pictures. This is appalling. If I cannot get a replacement unit from Kohler or repairs that make the unit sound and then truly resistant to salt air, I may investigate whether I can get adequate relief from the courts. The unit is either defective as all residential generators are designed to be outdoor or Kohler has a problem that others in salt air have encountered and should be willing to join with me a class action suit. The promotional literature says “fully corrosion-resistant material”- which clearly does not seem to be the case!!

I appreciate your help, but they seem rather inflexible and this issue has gone on since I acquired the house four years ago.
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Previous emails are below:

Jeff -

As I explained in my phone message today, I suggested to Kohler that they do something to compensate you in regards to problems you are having with the generator housing. However, their response to me, was that due to the age of the unit, they see no justification for doing that.

Your best bet now would be to write them a letter explaining all details and that you feel you should be entitled to some sort of compensation. Send it to the attention of Mr Dennis Christian and copy it to the attention of Mr Chris Galow. These gentleman carry some weight in regards to decisions.

We at Kraft are truly sorry for your predicament and fully understand the situation you are in. We tried to get something for you, but were turned down. Good luck with this problem and if we at Kraft can further help you please feel free to get in touch with us.

Sincerely,

Jim Cady

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Jim,

I appreciate your follow thru. I listened to your voice mail message and, like you, strongly disagree with their position.

South Shore Generator has been aware of the situation for almost three years- ever since we purchased the property.

I was told that I Kohler did not make a stainless steel or galvanized housing that was salt air resistant for that unit and that it would likely cost us north of $10k to fabricate such.

Does Kohler made a housing that is salt air resistant for this unit?

We build an enclosure around the generator with a venting system to protect it from sand and direct exposure to rain, snow etc. (It has 10″ openings at the top and bottom of the walls and has a deck above it with a galvanized sheet protecting the unit from water seeping in from the deck above) , but that has not retarded the descinegration of the housing which is rusting to the point of crumbling and the base supporting the side pieces is in similar shape.

The unit never should have been installed in an exposed salt air environment!  It cannot withstand the elements.

Either the Kohler finish and workmanship of the treatment of the housing is substandard or they never should have installed the unit without insisting that it be in an air tight environment.

In either case it is clearly wrong!! I feel strongly about this and will pursue whatever course may be available to me. Kohler should not be permitted to sell its generators in salt air environments.

Thank you for your help.

I will take up the crusade on my own.

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