Posted: 8/4/2012 3:43:19 AM EDT
| I am in the market for a diesel generator. I want to go diesel over gas due to the longer life expectancy of diesel motors as well as the ability to store diesel for longer periods of time without it destabilizing. Who makes a good diesel genny? |
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yanmar makes some great small diesel engines (they make/made most of the smaller John Deere compact tractor engines for years)..
I know that Northern Tool is selling a Yanmar generator listed in their catalog - BUT I dont know who makes the generator head or how good it is.. Brian |
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No personal knowledge, although I have looked at them a bit.
I would look for an 1800 rpm model if I was buying right now. Here is a link with a bunch of different models. Perkins and yanmar seem to be the "higher end" engines. If I were in the market I would likely look at this one This one is cheaper with higher output, but isn't listed as lower rpm, and the engine rpms aren't listed, so I would assume it is 3600. If you are looking at a cheaper unit, this is about the cheapest I have ever seen for one (price includes shipping). However, the same unit has some pretty bad reviews on Amazon |
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OP We are going to need more information. What size of generator are you wanting to get ETA 7 and 11 KW http://generator.kubota.jp/gl/index.html |
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Quoted:
OP We are going to need more information. What size of generator are you wanting to get ETA 7 and 11 KW http://generator.kubota.jp/gl/index.html Wonderful gennys but the one selected is I think a 3600 RPM [2 pole] unit. I'd suggest ebay and a light tower for an approx 6000 watt diesel already on a trailer usually 1800 RPM. Seeing some good deals there. |
Shhhh, EXPY we need to make the noobs do a little bit of homework Quoted: Quoted: OP We are going to need more information. What size of generator are you wanting to get ETA 7 and 11 KW http://generator.kubota.jp/gl/index.html Wonderful gennys but the one selected is I think a 3600 RPM [2 pole] unit. I'd suggest ebay and a light tower for an approx 6000 watt diesel already on a trailer usually 1800 RPM. Seeing some good deals there. |
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Quoted:
OP We are going to need more information. What size of generator are you wanting to get ETA 7 and 11 KW http://generator.kubota.jp/gl/index.html I don't need a genny that big. Anywhere from 3500-5000 running watts would be fine for my purposes. |
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The 3600s are lighter, cheaper and slightly more fuel efficient.1800 is quieter and will last longer. A yanmar 3600 is good for 2000 hours- do you really need more then tha? I generally figure small 1800 rpms are good for 3-4000 hrs, medium 6000, and some of the really big ones 8000-10000 hours. Life in a tractor or bulldozer is 30% less or so due to the higher RPMs. And thats not to say they quit at 2000, but they may need serious work, or are close to a mechanical fialure.
Lifes longer if you let the engine (oil) warm up prior to adding load. |
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If you're looking for real engine longevity look at the Lister type engines We are actually getting rid of a bunch of lister powered small gensets (6 kVA, IIRC) because of engine problems. In at least one case they cracked or torqued a crankshaft, and another required a complete rebuild in the first 100 hours. It's completely possable the manufacturer overdrove the engines, but we would max out at about 70% of rated standby load. These were installed at communications sites where there was really no extra source of load. |
| I have been very pleased with my mil surplus mep-016b. These are .gov rated as 3kw units, civillian rating would be considerable higher (engine is 11hp I believe). Engine is an Onan single cylinder. Build quality and materials are WAY higher that what you will find on any consumer grade genset. At the turn of a switch these units will ouput 110v, 220v or 220v 3 phase. Cons are 3600rpm and loud! I got my unit from govliquidation. $700. 600hrs on hour meter with zero hours since being reconditioned according to the included paperwork. fuel burn is apprx 1/3 gallon per hour. Gov liquidation is a crapshoot but this one turned out to be a great deal. |
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Quoted:
I am in the market for a diesel generator. I want to go diesel over gas due to the longer life expectancy of diesel motors as well as the ability to store diesel for longer periods of time without it destabilizing. Who makes a good diesel genny? your end application is utility backup power, or prime power? ar-jedi |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
If you're looking for real engine longevity look at the Lister type engines We are actually getting rid of a bunch of lister powered small gensets (6 kVA, IIRC) because of engine problems. In at least one case they cracked or torqued a crankshaft, and another required a complete rebuild in the first 100 hours. It's completely possable the manufacturer overdrove the engines, but we would max out at about 70% of rated standby load. These were installed at communications sites where there was really no extra source of load. Im pretty sure he is talking about the old single cylinder lister engines that run at 600 rpm and weigh 800lbs with flywheels. |
I bought this generator
 for $600 off of craigslist after months of looking. Was a few miles from my house. It's noisy as hell, but works well and I keep a good amount of diesel fuel around for the tractor and truck.
Link |