Portable Generators

[Midniteoyl]

There's also a matter of economics to consider. In a cheap generator (not that we're necessarily talking about them here) it would likely be pouring money on the ground; depending, of course, on whether one has the appropriate viscosity for the dino.

If the manufacturer doesn't make the distinction then it's possible that they're more concerned about the frequency of oil changes. I'd hope that that info is given!

In this day and age I don't think that I've ever run across anyone not providing requirement specs for fluids.

A lifetime of synthetic oil is still cheaper than a new engine..

 

[buickanddeere]

300,000 what?

My DKD7.5 doesn't have any emissions stuff.

Folks no more retire diesels due to injectors than folks retire gassers because they need new spark plugs (and all the other related equipment).

It's a FACT, diesels last longer and that's because their fuel is less corrosive (less wear). Pretty sure that the overwhelming majority of heavy-duty work is done by diesels: trucking, shipping, rail, construction etc.. if gasoline engines had an advantage they'd be used here, they are not.

I googled DKD7.5 but have no idea what it is. Assuming it's an old pre-emission mechanical pump diesel ? Nothing like that left anywhere salt is used on the roads.
How can you not know what a set of injectors for a 2001-2004 Duramax cost to replace ?
Is there a difference between light , medium and heavy duty service ?
Is there a difference between the spread on the price of diesel pre 2007 and post 2007 ?
Are the diesels sold the past 15 or so years equipped with a mechanical pump, no egr, no variable vane turbo, no uerea injection, no particulate filter?
Are the gassers sold today equipped with carburetors, exhaust cross over valves, automatic choke, point distributors and burn leaded gasoline?
What year is it?
What are all those boats, lawn equipment, ATV's, sleds, jet ski's, aircraft, bikes, portable generators, portable compressors, forklifts , manlifts doing with those spark ignition engines ? Shouldn't diesel be better?
300,000 miles

 

[buickanddeere]

If it doesn't say then it ought not matter. Viscosity matters the most. We're talking a generator (small), not an Indy racer. But, I find it hard to believe that there's no specs on fluids. Nothing on the manufacturer's web site?

The proper viscosity with the wrong additive package is still the wrong oil.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

User manual is silent about synthetic oil

I already have the generator so I am not buying a diesel generator. Just want to know if it's OK to use synthetic in generator engines?

Synthetic is preferred because it is more high temperature stable. Conventional oils turn black fast because they are breaking down. Synthetics don't.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

I wonder how many hours people think they will put on their genset? A low-RPM diesel is great if you are completely off grid and want to run the generator 12-24 hours a day. For standby power it is only practical if you run enough fuel through your tractor to keep it from sludging in the tank.

For standby power where the generator will sit a year or two between uses, propane (or natural gas if you have it) is by far the best fuel source. Mine says it will run 8 hours at 50% on a 20 lb. tank, so I bought a 100 lb. tank. It will be fine for the next 20 years, and will give me 40 hours of run time, more or less, before I have to start swapping little tanks.

Gasoline is the best for portable power in the field or to construction sites, because the equipment is light weight and and you can buy fuel anywhere. I saw a 5 hp Honda on an Emglo compressor run a large construction crew 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, for 5 years. We changed the oil once a month and the spark plug once a year. It was still running fine when I moved on. Contrary to popular opinion, Briggs and Stratton engines also have outstanding reliability. The only one I have ever had quit on me was 40 years old, and it only quit because carbon lodged in a valve. The Vanguard engines with full flow oil filters are outstanding power plants. If the engine is going to sit for years between uses, stay away from gasoline. The fuel is not stable and it will clog the carb.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I wonder how many hours people think they will put on their genset? A low-RPM diesel is great if you are completely off grid and want to run the generator 12-24 hours a day. For standby power it is only practical if you run enough fuel through your tractor to keep it from sludging in the tank.

"Sludging" in the tank?? What ever that is ?, it apparently hasn't ever happened to me, as I've left diesel and diesels for years at a time and started them right up, never having a fuel problem.

I'd say about 95% of what I read on line about diesel fuel is absolute BS.

BTW, I have had GAS problems from leaving it sit around though!

SR

 

[4570Man]

I have all kinds of problems with old gas. I've never had an issue with diesel. Much longer shelf life compared to gasoline even ethanol free gas. And a Diesel engine isn't nearly as likely to burst into flames.

 

[DieselBound]

A lifetime of synthetic oil is still cheaper than a new engine..

Again, read what I wrote: I said for a cheap engine it MAY not be worth it.

 

[DieselBound]

I wonder how many hours people think they will put on their genset? A low-RPM diesel is great if you are completely off grid and want to run the generator 12-24 hours a day. For standby power it is only practical if you run enough fuel through your tractor to keep it from sludging in the tank.

For standby power where the generator will sit a year or two between uses, propane (or natural gas if you have it) is by far the best fuel source. Mine says it will run 8 hours at 50% on a 20 lb. tank, so I bought a 100 lb. tank. It will be fine for the next 20 years, and will give me 40 hours of run time, more or less, before I have to start swapping little tanks.

Gasoline is the best for portable power in the field or to construction sites, because the equipment is light weight and and you can buy fuel anywhere. I saw a 5 hp Honda on an Emglo compressor run a large construction crew 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, for 5 years. We changed the oil once a month and the spark plug once a year. It was still running fine when I moved on. Contrary to popular opinion, Briggs and Stratton engines also have outstanding reliability. The only one I have ever had quit on me was 40 years old, and it only quit because carbon lodged in a valve. The Vanguard engines with full flow oil filters are outstanding power plants. If the engine is going to sit for years between uses, stay away from gasoline. The fuel is not stable and it will clog the carb.

Whether one "needs" the generator or not they HAVE to be run periodically to be exercised.

I agree, for small loads gasoline engines tend to have their niche. My riding mower has a Kawasaki. My log splitter has a Subaru. Both are great engines.

 

[DieselBound]

The proper viscosity with the wrong additive package is still the wrong oil.

For crying out loud, we're taking about a simple gasoline engine. We're talking about regular off-the-shelf motor oils. Can someone yank the wrong stuff off the shelf? Yeah. Such people ought to defer to someone else to oversee such actions: if they cannot select the right oil then I wonder whether I'd want them to be trying to manage electrical issues in the middle of some crisis!

BobIsTheOilGuy.com. Great site for understanding oils.