Portable Diesel Generator Recommendations?

[IXLR8]

I did the diesel, gas, propane, PTO debate with myself for a while. I was out of town half the time and there was no way the misses was going to hook up a PTO generator if needed. I didn't want to be messing with a PTO generator out in a storm either. Three of my neighbors have the noisy screaming 3600 rpm generators and I refused to add to the noise. A 1800 rpm diesel generator was out of my price range, and not very portable. I wanted 240vac to run the well pump. I ended up with a Honda FI inverter portable generator. Costs more than I wanted to spend, but misses can wheel it out, plug it in, push the start button and be good to go. When running it sits outside, 12 ft from the bedroom window, and we can't hear it. We run it for a few hrs to chill down refrigerator and freezer and fill water tank then shut it down for a while. No need to leave it running all the time. My nearest neighbor is about 300 ft away and we can hear their generator over ours. We keep the generators 5 gallon tank full and keep 15 gallons of gas around and so far have not needed more than that for any outage.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I got rid of my 15KW Onan PTO set years ago. Fine running machine, but don't miss that system one bit. I can't say if I would prefer that over a portable. Diesel portable probably no, gas portable, yes.

 

[Rustyiron]

I'm considering adding a diesel generator to my backup options. I keep a supply of diesel on hand.

My concern is if there are any issues with these and how well they might work in cold temperatures?

I currently have a propane, portable generator that I run off of BBQ tanks. It is okay but I wish it had an electric start and I cannot tell the fuel level.

My primary goal for my next generator would be for use in the winter, so I can supply heat in the home. I would like to get something with electric start, just in case the wife needs to start it.

(Not looking for a standby unit like Generac - can't justify the $8k+ price tag for the entire project)

If you're patient you can find low hour diesel generators for a reasonable price.
I found this 20kw - 1050hrs for $4500 but I needed to build an "enclosure " that ended up being a small building 9x10. The place had a bunch of lp or ng take outs with a steel enclosures for sale but like you, I wanted diesel and always have plenty of that on hand.
This little kubota "low boy" was my first shot at a diesel standby power set up and by all estimates should have been enough power @ 6500w for our needs. I may have been imagining it, but I heard both the generator and appliances complain during start up and when considering the cost of stuff like 500' deep well pumps, freezers and refrigerators. Not to mention the Mrs. wanted a more permanent installation that only required throwing a few switches.
Iirc I paid (used) about $3500 for it and I built the little dog house it lives in.

 

[ultrarunner]

I did the diesel, gas, propane, PTO debate with myself for a while. I was out of town half the time and there was no way the misses was going to hook up a PTO generator if needed. I didn't want to be messing with a PTO generator out in a storm either. Three of my neighbors have the noisy screaming 3600 rpm generators and I refused to add to the noise. A 1800 rpm diesel generator was out of my price range, and not very portable. I wanted 240vac to run the well pump. I ended up with a Honda FI inverter portable generator. Costs more than I wanted to spend, but misses can wheel it out, plug it in, push the start button and be good to go. When running it sits outside, 12 ft from the bedroom window, and we can't hear it. We run it for a few hrs to chill down refrigerator and freezer and fill water tank then shut it down for a while. No need to leave it running all the time. My nearest neighbor is about 300 ft away and we can hear their generator over ours. We keep the generators 5 gallon tank full and keep 15 gallons of gas around and so far have not needed more than that for any outage.

I've heard but don't know if true that Fuel Injection Gasoline generators don't experience anywhere near the fuel problems of carb units.

At just under 5k with freight and tax... it is a substantial investment... several co-workers have them for the very reason the anyone at home can start...

 

[TheMan419]

I've heard but don't know if true that Fuel Injection Gasoline generators don't experience anywhere near the fuel problems of carb units.

At just under 5k with freight and tax... it is a substantial investment... several co-workers have them for the very reason the anyone at home can start...

The any one at home can start feature is important. The last power outage we had was on a weekday. I had to go into the office to work. Since our generator is electric start I could get it all hooked up. Wife could turn on and off as needed.

 

[TractorGuy]

Sure it matters, I stated that I have never seen a "newer" diesel wet stack, and I haven't...

I have quite a few newer diesels here, NONE of them have ever wet stacked on me, even when run for hours on end at low RPM's, with a light load.

Last diesel I owned that wet stacked, was an -------> old D-7 CAT.

I keep reading on this sight, guys telling newbs, about how you have to keep your tractor/diesel under load or it will wet stack, like when running a lightly loaded PTO generator. I don't believe it, and it's another thing, one newb reads and takes as gospel and repeats it.

IF, it's true, why doesn't it happen to any of mine??? I have 2, 3, 4 and 6 cylinder diesels, you would think at least one of them would have that problem under a light load, wouldn't you?

SR

I thought we were having a MEP generator discussion.

Didn't realize we were talking about YOUR personal experience.

I Have never had any of my diesels wet stack either. BUT on my MEP generator I follow the guidelines and give it a good load from time to time.

Probably a result of military using a 10KW unit for weeks on end when all they needed was a 3KW generator.

 

[Industrial Toys]

FWIW, I regularly see used PTO sets selling very cheaply. There are things that unexplainably don't have high resale value and possibly PTO sets is one of them.

 

[goeduck]

FWIW, I regularly see used PTO sets selling very cheaply. There are things that unexplainably don't have high resale value and possibly PTO sets is one of them.

The earlier comment about not wanting to mess with them in a storm is probably why. I sure would not, that is the only time we have outages.

 

[Chewwy]

Since it appears you have natural gas to the house there are units that can be converted to run on natural gas. Of course you take a wattage penalty as nat gas has less energy in it than gasoline or propane.

Yes propane has more energy per unit volume but natural gas is usually a continous supply thru a meter vs stored on small tanks.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

A lot of folks say they wouldn't want to mess with a pto genset, it's out in the barn ect... Do you keep your portable out in the barn???

Keep the pto generator handy, just like you do your bigger portable! OR, build a shed for your pto generator, just like you do for your stationary generator!

SR