Diesel Standby Generators

[sparrowhawk]

Does anyone have one that they would recommend out there? I see several different offerings including ones with Perkins diesels in them. Optimally, I'm looking for a 15KVA but a 20KVA would work fine as well. Any suggestions?

I'm not a fan of propane or natural gas, so I want to stick with diesel. Thanks in advance.

 

[LBrown59]

Does anyone have one that they would recommend out there? I see several different offerings including ones with Perkins diesels in them. Optimally, I'm looking for a 15KVA but a 20KVA would work fine as well. Any suggestions?

1*I'm not a fan of propane or natural gas, so I want to stick with diesel. Thanks in advance.

1*Here's why i prefer diesel /\ Unlimited Fuel Storage Capacity.

 

[hr3]

Try these guys. We sell a ton of propane sets but when it comes to diesels in Maine these guys are the best I've heard,, http://cumminspower.com/en/technical/documents

 

[Markcuda]

Just make sure your wallet opens real wide, because they will cost a pretty penny.

 

[ultrarunner]

We use Cummins/Onan units... they have been flawless.

I was looking for something to use at home and narrowed in on Multiquip with Kubota Diesel Power.

The Diesel Regs where I live are so onerous, I though about getting one with the trailer package... local jurisdiction only seems to be concerned with permanent installations.

http://www.multiquip.com/multiquip/DA7000SSA.htm

http://www.multiquip.com/multiquip/...chures/MQ_Power__WhisperWatt__DCA10-DCA56.pdf

 

[JB4310]

Get liquid cooled unit, air cooled genny will be 2 pole which means 3600 rpm operation. A 4 pole turns 1800 rpm but requires 3-4 cylinder usually.

Norpro | A Whole Lot More Than A Diesel Generator Manufacturer

These are some real beauties here, I dreamed of one of theirs but just went with a pto gen instead since I already had 2 diesel power plants (tractors)

Good luck, JB.

 

[atgreene]

I went with these guys: Central Maine Diesel Generators | Diesel Generators | Triple-Fuel Generators | Propane/Natural Gas Generators

They're from Maine and between myself and the FD I have purchased 4 generators from them.

For my house I went with the entire autostart unit, but opted for a small diesel gen. Now I plan to upgrade to a larger gen.

Here's the one I bought. Yanmar Powered 6,500 Watt Diesel Generator

 

[nike]

Any reason why you would not go PTO driven? :confused2:

 

[atgreene]

I went pto for a few years. Heres why I sold it and went standby.

~Have to take implement off the tractor to hook up. We always loose power during thunderstorms and heavy snow, neither is fun to do in either situation.

~Tractor often was not handy to the house. Sometimes in another hayfield or at another location.

~I didn't mind running the tractor all night, did it numerous times for 24 hours or more, but it's overkill.

~During a storm it's nice to have the use of the tractor.

~When I was away, my wife couldn't unhook the implement on the tractor and rehook to the gen.

For some a PTO works great, for me it was a real hassle. The auto start does it's thing no matter where I am, no worries of the house freezing up or if my wife is ok when I'm dealing with a storm for the FD or with my business.

 

[sparrowhawk]

Any reason why you would not go PTO driven? :confused2:

I would go PTO but I need something that is ready to go when my wifey needs it versus me hooking it up etc. I will probably get a PTO driven one as well because they are short money, portable and handy for other things.

Thanks for the maine references as well! I've lost my power 4 times in the last 10 days so enough is enough.!

Yep, I know diesel is a lot more expensive but they are also much more durable than the residential propane models from what I hear. I'm mid reconstruction so I'm having the electrician make provisions for a generator now.

I'll check out your recommendations and let you guys know which way I go. THANKS as always!

 

[atgreene]

The other issue with propane: propane uses much more gallons per hour than diesel. Off road diesel is less $$ than propane (propane companies charge you for the tank if you don't hook to something using enough to make it worth their while). Also, propane in the middle of an ice storm is at a premium. Often propane trucks will not run during an ice storm. Hard to stock up on propane, diesel stores for years.

Propane does start easy, I have 2 hooked to fire stations that work well, but they cost more to run in the long run. 1/2 the price for the genny up front though.

 

[sparrowhawk]

I went with these guys: Central Maine Diesel Generators | Diesel Generators | Triple-Fuel Generators | Propane/Natural Gas Generators

They're from Maine and between myself and the FD I have purchased 4 generators from them.

For my house I went with the entire autostart unit, but opted for a small diesel gen. Now I plan to upgrade to a larger gen.

Here's the one I bought. Yanmar Powered 6,500 Watt Diesel Generator

Thanks ATGreene, glad to see they are in Bangor as I'm moving out of a house I just refurb'd there. I'm going to figure out what I'll go with and probably grab it next week if I can.

On a sidenote, we might be neighbors some day; looking out houses down int the naples to sebago area.

 

[atgreene]

You'll want that gen if you're moving down this way. They tree trimmed last year so we've been doing good, but before that we were loosing power 30 hours + per month, in the summer!

 

[sparrowhawk]

The other issue with propane: propane uses much more gallons per hour than diesel. Off road diesel is less $$ than propane (propane companies charge you for the tank if you don't hook to something using enough to make it worth their while). Also, propane in the middle of an ice storm is at a premium. Often propane trucks will not run during an ice storm. Hard to stock up on propane, diesel stores for years.

Propane does start easy, I have 2 hooked to fire stations that work well, but they cost more to run in the long run. 1/2 the price for the genny up front though.

BINGO! that's why I said in my original post, I only want diesel (didn't need someone thinking they'd sway me ) Stubborn Mainah here that has been through a few ice storms and long term power outages. Good luck getting propane when you really need it. Also good luck buying shear pins for your blower the day of big snow...

Up here, you can't sit around and think the local store will have what you need to get you by for the week. Planning ahead is key!

When all the brats from MA come up to Sunday River on the weekends, good luck finding a frozen pizza at the IGA

 

[JB4310]

Here is a nice unit from atgreene's link

Kubota 15 kW Diesel Generator

jb

 

[atgreene]

Here is a nice unit from atgreene's link

Kubota 15 kW Diesel Generator

jb

That one or the 21k Isuzu will be my next one. Now that I have a large tank and auto switch in place it's a simple upgrade, all but the $$$$.

 

[sparrowhawk]

That one or the 21k Isuzu will be my next one. Now that I have a large tank and auto switch in place it's a simple upgrade, all but the $$$$.

Going with the Isuzu 14.5k I think + sound enclosure + 100 gallon fuel bowser. That should be more than plenty.
Do you know if they negotiated on price or is the internet price what you got pretty much? Thank you for all your assistance!

Bri

 

[JB4310]

That one or the 21k Isuzu will be my next one. Now that I have a large tank and auto switch in place it's a simple upgrade, all but the $$$$.

Yeah pricey, but man are they some sweet pieces of machinery!
Something you can really rely on.
Still like that Kubota blue, they have a 20KW unit too, but it looks like the Isuzu is more fuel efficient.

JB

 

[atgreene]

I'm willing to bet if you walk in with a check or cash in hand you may make out a little better. That, and now and again they have a scratch and dent deal listed. The father of the owner used to sell gens at Fryeburg fair, maybe still does. Not sure what the deal was there, but his whole family is apparently into generators.

 

[atgreene]

Yeah pricey, but man are they some sweet pieces of machinery!
Something you can really rely on.
Still like that Kubota blue, they have a 20KW unit too, but it looks like the Isuzu is more fuel efficient.

JB

The efficency on the Isuzu looks to be pretty good. You start running one of these for 48 or 60 hours it makes a big difference.:thumbsup: