Diesel Generator

[GIJOE]

I am in the market for a diesel generator. I'm looking for one that will supply about 10,000 watts continuous and as portable and compact as possible. I have found several on-line, but was wondering if anyone has any experience with any particular brand (good or bad). I'm not brand loyal, but don't want to buy one that doesn't last beyond the warranty or one that parts are hard to get.

Joe

 

[tornadowatchranch]

I got my home generator from Norwall power systems and was very happy with both price and knowledge on the phone. I don't know if they have what you want but it may be worth a gander.

 

[Soundguy]

they mke genny welders inthe 10k range.

also..I've seen 10k deisel sets at box stores like HD / lowes.

as for portable? the gen head itself is going to be close to a hundred pounds... the engine and frame rails? I'd have to think you are going to be lookint at something inthe 300-400# range.. easy..

soundguy

 

[Skyco]

At least that heavy...my two chinese 6k diesel gensets weigh about 350 lbs each...even two guys aren't throwing that in the back of the truck

 

[Soundguy]

I heard that!

soundguy

 

[GIJOE]

Thanks Guys,
When I said compact and portable as possible, I wasn't talking about a small 5500W gen from a box store. Here are a few links of what I'm actually looking at. I just wanted to get some opinions of different brands and models before before I posted any links, so the focus wouldn't be on just these listed. I have also noticed that some of the diesel gens turn at 1800RPM and some at 3600RPM. Are there any advantages or disadvantages between the two, besides fuel consumption?
Kubota Diesel Generator | Kubota 11kw | Lowboy Generator
Portable Generator, GeneratorJoe, LR130EL, VMPR-013D003, Patriot
Isuzu 10 kW Diesel Generator

Joe

 

[Soundguy]

rpm is not a big factor in fuel consumption.. load is a major factor in fuel consumption on a modern diesel engine.

RPM controls frequency.. more genny poles.. less rpm...

soundguy

 

[RavensRoost]

OP, you will be a lot happier with a genny that is running 1800 RPM vs. one at 3600. Difference in noise level and life are two issues that immediately come to mind, and I also believe 2x RPM has to be less fuel efficient (sorry Soundguy, opinion on fuel efficiency is mine).

In my case I have an 8KW Lister-Petter genset that is driven by their 2-cylinder LPW2 engine (Made in Olathe, KS), runs at 1800, uses about 0.5 gph, had for about 5 yrs now, no issues, but is only standby power at off-grid solar-powered weekend place with auto start dictated by inverter, not "prime" power source.

Lister-Petter is an old British company and the line of gensets like mine are trade named "Hawk Power".

There are also air-cooled diesel gensets out there, and while I have never heard one, I bet they are noisy (mechanically).

 

[RWolf]

Definetly agree with RavensRoost 1800 is so much more quiet. I've ran both (1800/3600) and the noise level is very noticeable. Recently I ran a 60KW and even with the sound doors open the generator wasn't that noisy but my 3600rpm onan (3kw) would make more noise than that.

Are you looking for something to run as a standby power source or portable as in RV'ing? If for standby you might also look at LPG. Those are clean, very quiet and you don't have to worry about fuel going bad. Just and idea.

Good luck.

 

[GIJOE]

Thanks for the info guys,

RavensRoost,
Do you have a web site for the Lister-Petter gen sets?

RWolf,
Yes, It will mainly be used for a standby power source, but I would also like to load it up and use it else ware if needed. I have checked into the LPG gens. My gas meter is out by the road, and my house sits about 500' away. I would not have enough volume of gas for the gen that far away, and what it would cost me for the gas company to move the meter next to the house, and run a new high pressure line to feed the meter, I could buy three generators (or a lot of diesel).

Joe

 

[Soundguy]

OP, you will be a lot happier with a genny that is running 1800 RPM vs. one at 3600. Difference in noise level and life are two issues that immediately come to mind, and I also believe 2x RPM has to be less fuel efficient (sorry Soundguy, opinion on fuel efficiency is mine).

).

using your logic, a brush hog that requires 1000 rpm pto uses more fuel than one using 540.. unfortunately.. all things being equal.. it don't work out that way.

fuel used is a function ultimately of electrical load.

Would you believe my 70hp tractor and 10' mower use the same gallons of fuel as my 95hp tractor and 15' mower, when mowing a 10 ac parcel.. 10' takes longer.. but net effect is 10ac of mowing is 5g of diesel... It's a fuel vs work thing...

I agree a 3600rpm unit will likely emit more noise than an 1800 rpm unit.. however if we are talking pto gensets.. the input will still be looking at 540rpm.. and the gearbox will be the part making the noise.. not sure if you will hear that over the engine.. guess it depends on the tractor and exhaust system..

soundguy

 

[Cat_Driver]

I swear by Kubota anything. This link will save you a few bucks

Austral International

 

[JB4310]

I went through the same dilemma, I knew I wanted a diesel powered generator and started looking at the stand alones. those kubotas are super sweet but they are air cooled 2 pole units which means 3600 rpms to attain the 60 HZ. (EDIT: I see the lowboy is watercooled, nice machine but at 650 pounds you will need another machine to move it)

Started looking at water cooled, 4 pole units (1800 rpms), but the prices are crazy high for something that may not be used very often. Even considered the Lister types but they are not rated for much over 5kw and are definitely not portable.

The other option I was comparing to was to use a diesel powered tractor that I already owned and didn't really need for anything else and get a PTO genny.

That's the route I went, I got a 10kw pto genny from IMD, which I see now advertises here on TBN. So with the pto gen That solves the diesel power issue, along with portability, water cooled. The only issue I wish was covered is the high engine rpms required to make pto speed, I think mine is ~2600 rpm.

The reason all those smaller portable diesel gen sets are 3600 rpm is that to turn a 4 pole genny you really need at least a 3 cylinder to be able to lug it down that low and still produce the needed torque for the power needed, so you are still using probably the same fuel as when turning 3600 with a smaller engine like Soundguy says, but I still would prefer the slower turning engine.

So for the cost of a good stand alone diesel powered generator you could buy a pretty nice low hour tractor, don't need a loader or 4x4, and get a pto gen. You would find other tasks for the tractor and you wont feel guilty about the generator sitting around doing nothing.

Here's a link to a company that makes the water cooled 4 pole units.

Norpro | A Whole Lot More Than A Diesel Generator Manufacturer

JB.

 

[RavensRoost]

Thanks for the info guys,

RavensRoost,
Do you have a web site for the Lister-Petter gen sets?

Here is URL to one site Google found:

Lister-Petter Hawkpower Diesel Generator Sets

RavensRoost

 

[RavensRoost]

using your logic, a brush hog that requires 1000 rpm pto uses more fuel than one using 540.. unfortunately.. all things being equal.. it don't work out that way.

fuel used is a function ultimately of electrical load.

Would you believe my 70hp tractor and 10' mower use the same gallons of fuel as my 95hp tractor and 15' mower, when mowing a 10 ac parcel.. 10' takes longer.. but net effect is 10ac of mowing is 5g of diesel... It's a fuel vs work thing...

I agree a 3600rpm unit will likely emit more noise than an 1800 rpm unit.. however if we are talking pto gensets.. the input will still be looking at 540rpm.. and the gearbox will be the part making the noise.. not sure if you will hear that over the engine.. guess it depends on the tractor and exhaust system..

soundguy

Soundguy, mower may or may not be apples-apples comparision, but I did a quick Google and found the below:

Decisions, Definitions and Generator Selection Criteria .
"3600 rpm engines tend to use more fuel than 1800 rpm engines per kilowatt hour produced by about 10 to 15% (not usually an issue for a backup generator) "

GiJoe, if you are planning on making any diesel of any size "portable" it will likely need to be trailer mounted.

RavensRoost

 

[Soundguy]

I think we may be mixing some terms here.. are you compairing 1800 rpm to 3600 rpm gen heads.. or the hizzbang engines.

remember.. a 3600rpm head on a pto genset is still going to be looking at the tractor's pto.. and likely pto rpm.. thus.. side by side.. I'd expect an 1800rpm head, and a 3600rpm head to ultimately use close enough to the same amount of fuel, based on electrical load.

soundguy

 

[RavensRoost]

I think we may be mixing some terms here.. are you compairing 1800 rpm to 3600 rpm gen heads.. or the hizzbang engines.

remember.. a 3600rpm head on a pto genset is still going to be looking at the tractor's pto.. and likely pto rpm.. thus.. side by side.. I'd expect an 1800rpm head, and a 3600rpm head to ultimately use close enough to the same amount of fuel, based on electrical load.

soundguy

I was talking about a generator set with its own diesel driver and opined one running at 1800 rpm (4-pole) would be more fuel efficient than one running at 3600 (2-pole). Did not mention it in my original post, but the assumption is that both would have same electrical load.

Bruce

 

[GIJOE]

GiJoe, if you are planning on making any diesel of any size "portable" it will likely need to be trailer mounted.

RavensRoost

I've considered that, And the more I research the more I lean toward the Kubota Lowboy II generator. I haven't made up my mind yet, but at 650# I can load it in the back of my truck with my tractor. That will also ensure that the gen will come back home with me instead of leaving it somewhere on a trailer.

Joe

 

[Soundguy]

I was talking about a generator set with its own diesel driver and opined one running at 1800 rpm (4-pole) would be more fuel efficient than one running at 3600 (2-pole). Did not mention it in my original post, but the assumption is that both would have same electrical load.

Bruce

with modern diesel engine technology.. my guess is the difference is going to be minutia..

soundguy

 

[Altex]

Climbed a mountain (1300') last month. This is what I found at the top.