Time to check out the generator.

[DarkBlack]

Around here summer gas is tweaked to lower the vapor pressure and winter gas has additional oxygenates. That's pretty much the case in any area in the US under air quality regulations.

Winter gasoline has cheap butane added which summer gasoline doesn’t allow. That’s the biggest difference.

 

[RjCorazza]

My guess is that the demand for close to immediate power transfer trumps the best practice of a short warmup for diesels. I suspect in reality your diesel genset would have a shorter life under laboratory conditions... so maybe it would need an overhaul at 6000 hours rather than something slightly higher.
I personally wouldn't worry about it.

I have always wanted a Kubota GL1100, I'm sure you will like it.

 

[JimRB]

Rambling thoughts about that startup load.

The magic might be the hours per year a generator engine might run. A few premature loads on a diesel generator might not be a big deal if it only runs 40 hours a year including quarterly test starts. My 2004 diesel truck has 6500 hours and 200,000 miles. My 1997 JD tractor has 1,300 hours. My 2003 VW Jetta TDI has 700,000 mile on it. Those few data points are just suggesting a diesel engine could last a long time even with a few loads applied quickly. Another not helpful observation. My house is using 350 watts right now. Fridge just kicked on and it is using 560 watts. It spikes up to about 6,000 watts when HVAC and TV is running. Small house of 1,700 sf or 2,700 depending on how you measure and two people. Load might not be that high sometimes when that generator starts.

I work for a doctors office that has 4 ambulatory surgery centers. I have not looked at the generators we have at work. I suspect two run on natural gas. The other might be a diesel. Other center runs on a fair sized APC UPS. The one I think that runs on diesel crapped out this spring after just 15 years. Engine did not die, control parts and the manufacturer said no longer available. Loaner generator sat in parking lot until new generator was installed.

 

[DarkBlack]

A question on the warmup time for Diesel powered generators.

First, the background:

When I last hooked up my PTO generator to test, I decided I was getting too old to deal with the hassle. Taking the existing implement off the tractor and attaching the genny for a power outage that may only last a short period of time, seemed like more effort than it was worth. Losing use of the tractor for other purposes during longer outages, and having to refuel it outdoors during bad weather, was also a negative.

Earlier this month, I sold the PTO genny, which had served me well for many years, and bought a Kubota GL11000 standalone diesel generator. I'm in the process of installing it in the back of one of the barns with an automatic transfer switch. It's been a learning experience so far and not without issues.

The question:

The generator has the OEM automatic transfer option, which starts the engine 20 seconds after the power goes out. 10 seconds later, the transfer relay activates, and generator power is restored to the house.

This is what I don't understand: The manual says to warm the engine for 5 to 20 minutes, depending on temperature, before applying load. Otherwise engine damage could occur. The factory installed transfer switch applies the load just 10 seconds after the engine starts. Why would the engineers design a transfer switch that could damage the engine?

This short delay between outage and switch to generator power is common for propane and gasoline powered systems but does not seem appropriate for diesel. The manuals for all the diesel tractors I've owned say to warm the engine before applying load.

Yet I see many diesel powered systems that ignore the warmup period. People frequently jump in their diesel pickups, start them and drive away. The twin Cummins diesel powered generators in the basement of the building where I used to work, transfer from commercial to generator power in less than 5 seconds. What gives? Is there something magic about diesel engines used to power generators?

Cars and trucks start up to a fast idle speed. Your generator goes racing right to 3,600 rpm’s, right? Those 10 seconds are the same oil pump revolutions and fuel heating as a car or truck fast idle for 30 seconds.
If your initial load isn’t a full load, which it shouldn’t be since big loads like AC compressors have a power restoration delay, then the load should be insignificant to the longevity. If your in a really cold winter condition, you have the option of using a 5w-x weight oil if it brings more peace of mind.

 

[LouNY]

Most all of the automatic transfer generators have a rapid response time, most of the larger and hopefully longer life units have block and or oil heaters to keep the engine internals at a moderately warm temperature. To ease the wear and shock on a cold engine to the sudden start and loading. Years ago some of the larger diesel units had a much longer time delay before being ramped up to speed and the load being applied, I recall a few 100 to 500 KW units that didn't start generating for about 5 minutes after the start command, they actually had 24 volt DC oil prelube pumps for pre and after lubing of the engines, as well as oil and water heaters that kept the fluids up to 60-90 F. And some had automatic oil level maintainers using float valves and 55 gallon drums of oil in gravity feeds. Some were hi speed units of 1800 rpm many at 900 rpm and a few at 1200 rpm.

 

[bdhsfz6]

My guess is that the demand for close to immediate power transfer trumps the best practice of a short warmup for diesels. I suspect in reality your diesel genset would have a shorter life under laboratory conditions... so maybe it would need an overhaul at 6000 hours rather than something slightly higher.
I personally wouldn't worry about it.

I have always wanted a Kubota GL1100, I'm sure you will like it.

I've been looking at them for some time myself. I was able to swing it by selling a few unused implements, including the PTO generator.

I bought from Absolute Generator in Iowa.

Diesel Generators | Absolute Generators: 10 kW-15 kW and 16 kW - 19 kW

Diesel generators require less upkeep and are more efficient than other fuel types. They are typically preferred for their efficiency and low maintenance. Shop our huge selection of diesel generators online now.. 10 kW-15 kW and 16 kW - 19 kW

www.absolutegenerators.com

Not the lowest price but not bad either. I spoke with them on the phone and they answered my questions immediately. They seem to be a knowledgeable, reliable company and offer parts & service for what they sell. Had the unit in less than a week.

I was originally interested in the GL14000 model but they talked me out of it. They said it was too big for my needs. Saved me $3K.

 

[ultrarunner]

Block Heater is the key and in 30 years the heaters last about 7-10 years.

Our smaller Cummins 150kW standby generators must transfer within 10 seconds from power outage to powering load at the hospital.

 

[DarkBlack]

Unfortunately with an emergency generator, you can’t save electricity by running the block heater when you need it, like a vehicle. You need it powered 24/7

 

[DarkBlack]

I’ve worked with big V8 , V10 diesel UPS generators. 0 seconds warmup period. Instant full load the moment the engines got instantly twisted up to 1,800 rpm’s. They had been doing this with almost daily starts for over 20 years with no rebuilds.
Only luxury they got were coolant heaters to keep the engines around 70f.
Goes to show..

 

[ultrarunner]

Yep… cycles on/off 24/7 keeping the coolant at 180 F

When it starts it’s pedal to the metal and transfers in 6-7 seconds…

The freeze plug heaters are short lived compared to the in-line hose heater giving me the longest life…