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Cummins RS17A - 17kW Quiet Connect™ Series Home Standby Generator
Model:
A071Z394
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Required Accessories
4
These accessories are required to properly setup/install this product.
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Features
Grade
Emergency
Style
Standby (Air Cooled)
Run Watts
17,000 Rated Watts
Voltage
120/240 Single-Phase
Fuel
LP/Natural Gas
Engine
Cummins Onan
- Cummins Quiet Connect™ Series 17kW Air-Cooled Standby Generator
- New for 2017 with improved design, exercise modes, load management & monitoring
- Weather Protective Aluminum/Steel Sound Enclosure
- Can be installed* within 18" of a build (NFPA 37) - Always check local building codes
- Sound dampening engineering limits noise level to a low 65dB(A) @ 7M
- 999cc Cummins Air-Cooled V-Twin OHV Engine
- Field-selectable, runs on ultra efficient natural gas or LP (vapor)
- Low oil pressure shutdown provides added safety and longevity
- < 5% THD (Total Harmonic Distortion)
- Clean power that won't damage your electronic devices
- Patented "Crank Only" Exercise Mode
- Provides diagnostics without running engine for less wear and lower fuel costs
- Allows user to select time, date and frequency of exercise
- Load Management Capability (Requires Load Management Kit - Sold Separately)
- Maximizes generator power by intelligently managing up to 4 electrical loads
- Cummins Connect Cloud For Remote Monitoring
- Monitor, exercise and manually run the generator
- Use your computer, tablet or phone for maximum monitoring flexibility
- Cold Weather Equipped
- Operates in cold weather with performance down to 0 °F
- Cold weather accessories allow for even colder operation (Sold Separately)
- Requires Cummins Automatic Transfer Switch (Sold Separately)
- Standard 5-Year / 2,000 Hour Limited Warranty
California residents see
Warning: This product can expose you to chemicals including Carbon black (airborne, unbound particles of respirable size) which is known to the State of California to cause Cancer, and Lead which is known to the State of California to cause Developmental Harm.
For more information go to: www.p65Warnings.ca.gov
Specifications
A071Z394
General Information
Product Category
Generator - Standby
Overview
Product Category
Generator - Standby
Weight
540 Pounds
CARB Compliant
Made in USA
Yes
Consumer Warranty
5 Years
Product Style
Standby Generator
Product Length
34.1 Inches
Product Width
36.0 Inches
Product Height
27.3 Inches
UPC
690781005242
Additional Model Numbers
C17N6H, A071Z394
Product Specs
Voltage
120/240 Single-Phase
Frequency
60 Hertz
Alternator
Brush
Auto Voltage Regulation
Yes
Rated Watts
17000 Watts
Fuel Type
LP/Natural Gas
NG Power Capacity
17000 Watts
LP Power Capacity
17000 Watts
NG Fuel Consumption @ 50% Load
213 ft³/hr
NG Fuel Consumption @ 100% Load
289 ft³/hr
LP Fuel Consumption @ 50% Load
1.8 gallons/hr
LP Fuel Consumption @ 100% Load
2.8 gallons/hr
Rated Amps
70.8 Amps
Decibel Rating @ 7m
Decibel Rating @ 7m
Sound levels are measured in decibels (dB). The lower the decibel rating, the less noise the product makes. As an example, a ticking watch is 20 dB while on the other end of the scale, a lawn mower is around 90 dB.
65
Hour Meter
Yes
Voltage Meter
Yes
Transfer Switch
Automatic (Not Included)
Battery
Not Included
Enclosure
Aluminum
Circuit Breaker Size
100 Amps
Cooling System
Air Cooled
UL Listed
Yes
Grade Type
Emergency
Engine
Engine Brand
Cummins Onan
Starting System
12v Auto Start
CC
999 CC
Engine RPM
3600 RPM
Low Oil Alert/Shutdown
Yes
Reviews
(11)
Cummins Power Generation A071Z394 Reviews & Ratings
Customer Photos and Videos
Customer Rating
4.82
(11 Ratings)
86% recommend this product
5
(9)
(9)4(2)
(2)3(0)
(0)2(0)
(0)1(0)
(0)
These 17kW generators are extremely popular because they pack enough power to run a 5-ton air conditioner.
This model sells the best for a few reasons:
1. It has a 999cc Cummins Air-Cooled V-Twin OHV Engine which is field-selectable to run on ultra-efficient natural gas or LP.
2. It includes a patented "Crank Only" Exercise Mode that provides diagnostics without running the engine for less wear and lower fuel costs.
3. The Cummins Connect Cloud for remote monitoring allows you to download an app and use your computer, tablet or phone for maximum monitoring flexibility.
This model sells the best for a few reasons:
1. It has a 999cc Cummins Air-Cooled V-Twin OHV Engine which is field-selectable to run on ultra-efficient natural gas or LP.
2. It includes a patented "Crank Only" Exercise Mode that provides diagnostics without running the engine for less wear and lower fuel costs.
3. The Cummins Connect Cloud for remote monitoring allows you to download an app and use your computer, tablet or phone for maximum monitoring flexibility.
Was this review helpful?
Rating Breakdown
5/5
5/5
5/5
5/5
A Real Blessing To Have
By N97420
Oregon
Purchased 09/27/2022 |
Review Posted 09/17/2023
I live on the Oregon coast and we have a special needs kiddo that has medical issues when the power drops out. I looked at many different manufacturers, but Cummins had the most positive reviews everywhere I searched. It was also mentioned to be the quieter options. For this reason and many others I decided to give Cummins a shot w/ the 17kw version and 200 amp box.
When you use their own box w: their Generator it only requires around 4 wires to their Auto Transfer Switch. In just the last few months we have lost power at least twice. We lost power the first time when having a large party and my wife was just finishing cooking, w/ both ovens in use. Everyone at the party noticed the lights go off and a few seconds later, the generator returned power and we were back to normal and the wife finished cooking.
The last time the power went off at 3am, following a big lightning storm and wind. The gen quietly kicked on and kept the lights & security system running.
I expect only more use as the power grid becomes more deficient. I also added an EMPShield to the gen & the fuse box for even more reliability against the unknown.
When you use their own box w: their Generator it only requires around 4 wires to their Auto Transfer Switch. In just the last few months we have lost power at least twice. We lost power the first time when having a large party and my wife was just finishing cooking, w/ both ovens in use. Everyone at the party noticed the lights go off and a few seconds later, the generator returned power and we were back to normal and the wife finished cooking.
The last time the power went off at 3am, following a big lightning storm and wind. The gen quietly kicked on and kept the lights & security system running.
I expect only more use as the power grid becomes more deficient. I also added an EMPShield to the gen & the fuse box for even more reliability against the unknown.
N97420 Recommends This
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Rating Breakdown
5/5
5/5
5/5
5/5
Pros:
Easy To Use, Price, I'd Buy It Again, Easy To Store
Cons:
Heavy
17KW Cummings Generator
By JimmyP 1961
Michigan
Review Posted 07/03/2023
I am very happy with my Cummings 17kW generator and the transfer switch. I installed my system and not even 2 weeks later we had a power outage, Cummings came highly recommended to me, I am a Master Electrician by trade (IBEW #58) and I am VERY happy that I chose this product!
JimmyP 1961 Recommends This
Was this review helpful?
Rating Breakdown
5/5
5/5
5/5
5/5
Pros:
Easy To Use, Price, I'd Buy It Again, High Quality
Cons:
None
Installed By Ford Electric Today, 11/16/2021
By Steven L.
Long Beach, Washington
Purchased 10/01/2021 |
Review Posted 11/16/2021
It runs quiet, seems to handle the whole house load. I think this is a great value for the money.
Steven L. Recommends This
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Rating Breakdown
5/5
5/5
5/5
5/5
Pros:
Price, Easy To Use, Quiet, Fast
Cons:
Heavy, Packaging
Great Generator
By Don B.
New Orleans, Louisiana
Review Posted 10/07/2021
Helped a friend install for a backup power supply.
Don B. Recommends This
Was this review helpful?
Rating Breakdown
5/5
5/5
5/5
5/5
Pros:
High Quality, Price, Easy To Use, Quiet
Cons:
Bad Instructions
Very Well Built Gen
By Prentice P.
Wrightsville, Georgia
Purchased 08/17/2020 |
Review Posted 10/31/2020
This is a very quiet generator. I can barely hear it from the room closest to it.
Prentice P. Recommends This
Was this review helpful?
Rating Breakdown
5/5
5/5
5/5
5/5
Pros:
High Quality, Id Buy It Again, Quiet, Exceeded Expectations
Exactly What I Expected!
By Lawrence L.
WILLITS, California
Purchased 07/08/2019 |
Review Posted 08/30/2019
I'm a retired electrical contractor living in rural Northern California. With the fires we've experienced, our electricity provider is warning of long periods of outages during fire seasons. As a contractor, many of our trucks were outfitted with Onan generators. I found these to be the best quality generators on the market and had never failed me. When looking for a standby generator, I found that Onan and Cummins were part of the same company. That led me to the purchase and installation of my Model #C17N6H generator. I paired it with a Cummins Automatic Transfer Switch. After installation, it fired up the first time I exercised it and again, when tested, made the auto transfer seamlessly. I would highly recommend this generator for price, quality and relative ease of installation.
Lawrence L. Recommends This
Was this review helpful?
Rating Breakdown
5/5
5/5
5/5
5/5
Pros:
Price, Easy To Use, High Quality, I'd Buy It Again
Cons:
None
Cummins RS17A A True Work Horse
By Edward M.
Dix Hills, New York
Review Posted 08/21/2019
I purchased the complete package RS17A on August 10th, 2019. I had a NYS Licensed Electrician perform the complete installation.
The install manual's are NOT written and layed out correctly, we did call Cummins Tech support and they were VERY reluctant to speak with us due to the fact my electrician is NOT a Cummins Certified Dealer. I did call the VP of North America Cummins support and then we did receive the information needed to wire up the control low voltage 3 wire.
My skillset for over 30 yrs is a Director Of Engineering and I redlined the ENTIRE PROCESS Manual.
I will be sending the redlined install manual's to Cummins for them to validate and modify the manuals for the Public
As far as the 17kw generator, it is TRULY A WORK HORSE, I am running the following in a 3000sq ft.home, (2) 3Ton central air conditioning, pool filter, 135k BTU heat pump for the pool, 220 VAC DOUBLE Wall Oven, 4 computers, CCTV Surveillance, washing machine, 35 LED high hats, 4 LED TV's, wireless router, hot tub, garage door opener
I loaded the RS17A with ALL above and the Generator still had 50% More capacity to supply power to L1 & L2.
The noise that RS17A emits is LESS THAN 60DBA, ultra quiet, I have performed simulated loss of utility power 3 nights in a row with the full load above and the RS17A performed GREAT.
The install manual's are NOT written and layed out correctly, we did call Cummins Tech support and they were VERY reluctant to speak with us due to the fact my electrician is NOT a Cummins Certified Dealer. I did call the VP of North America Cummins support and then we did receive the information needed to wire up the control low voltage 3 wire.
My skillset for over 30 yrs is a Director Of Engineering and I redlined the ENTIRE PROCESS Manual.
I will be sending the redlined install manual's to Cummins for them to validate and modify the manuals for the Public
As far as the 17kw generator, it is TRULY A WORK HORSE, I am running the following in a 3000sq ft.home, (2) 3Ton central air conditioning, pool filter, 135k BTU heat pump for the pool, 220 VAC DOUBLE Wall Oven, 4 computers, CCTV Surveillance, washing machine, 35 LED high hats, 4 LED TV's, wireless router, hot tub, garage door opener
I loaded the RS17A with ALL above and the Generator still had 50% More capacity to supply power to L1 & L2.
The noise that RS17A emits is LESS THAN 60DBA, ultra quiet, I have performed simulated loss of utility power 3 nights in a row with the full load above and the RS17A performed GREAT.
Edward M. Recommends This
Was this review helpful?
Rating Breakdown
5/5
5/5
5/5
5/5
Pros:
Features, Exceeded Expectations, High Quality, I'd Buy It Again
Cons:
Bad Instructions
Difficult Install But When Done Best Decision Ever
By Melvin K.
Crook, Colorado
Purchased 12/26/2018 |
Review Posted 03/19/2019
I am giving this generator a high review. There are a few things to note. Installation Instructions are difficult even for my electrician. But in the end all worked.
Access to service and maintain was not considered when building the shell over the machine. Special tools are required to remove cover and hard to get to. I believe this discourages proper care thus lowers life expectancy. Previous models allowed quick access.
Access to service and maintain was not considered when building the shell over the machine. Special tools are required to remove cover and hard to get to. I believe this discourages proper care thus lowers life expectancy. Previous models allowed quick access.
Melvin K. Recommends This
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Expert Response
Please understand that beyond routine maintenance (oil/filter changes), these standby generators don't require you to remove the generator cover/enclosure on a regular basis.
Jared G.
Generator Expert
Rating Breakdown
3/5
4/5
5/5
5/5
Pros:
Quiet, Price
Cons:
Bad Instructions, Difficult to do simple maintence
Generator is Great - Cummins Not So Much “UPDATE”
By Charlie S.
Ochlocknee, Georgia
Purchased 03/07/2018 |
Review Posted 02/04/2019
I would like to update everyone who read my negative review with the following: Cummins corporate contacted me and addressed my issues and directly took care of them to my total satisfaction. I feel confident that they will continue to provide the service and quality that they are known for. The unit still perfoms flawlessly.
Charlie S. Recommends This
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Rating Breakdown
5/5
5/5
5/5
5/5
Pros:
Durable, Easy To Use, Reliable, High Quality
Generator is Great - Cummins Not So Much
By Charles S.
Ochlocknee, Georgia
Purchased 03/07/2018 |
Review Posted 01/16/2019
This is really a great unit but don't be fooled by the service aspect. Cummins recommends letting them do the first oil change and check the valves. That bill was $580 which is egregious pricing when the unit only costs $3,600.
Charles S. Does Not Recommend This
Was this review helpful?
Rating Breakdown
5/5
5/5
5/5
1/5
Pros:
Features, Easy To Use, Price
Cons:
Packaging, Expensive, Service costs
Product Q&A
(1)
Product Questions
Answered by Jared, the Generator Expert
Is the engine in this unit truly a Cummins engine or a worked Briggs engine?
Nick
from Pennsylvania
March 17, 2017
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Cummins RS17A - 17kW Quiet Connect™ Series Home Standby Generator
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