DIESEL GENERATOR CONSIDERATIONS

Fuel Tanks - Fuel tanks are an extremely important consideration, since the fuel has the ability to be stored for 2 to 3 years depending upon your situation. Because of your needs, an external tank in addition to the one enclosed in the unit may be helpful. We will be glad to assist you with manufacturing additional external above or below ground tanks at a reasonable cost to you. These tanks can be ordered in varying sizes from 125 gallons to 1100 gallons.

Cooling Capabilities - One of the specifications you’ll consider is air or liquid cooling capabilities. Air-cooled engines require a tremendous amount of air and could require ducting. Air-cooled are known for being noisier than water cooled generators. ReadySource™ provides liquid cooling which offers a quieter operation and more even temperature control.

Fuel Storage - Diesel fuel and kerosene are recognized for being much safer to store than gasoline. These products should not be stored in red gasoline cans because of the potential for confusion with gasoline. Another benefit is the fact these fuels can be stored 2-3 years before they deteriorate.

Longer Lasting with Lower Operating Costs - Diesel generators are know for their longevity and lower operating costs. Today, the modern diesel engine is far different from those we all remember from the past. Today, diesel’s are quiet and normally require much less maintenance than comparably sized gas (natural gas or propane) generators. Fuel costs per kilowatt produced with diesels are generally 30% to 50% percent less than gas units.

Diesel Longevity - 1800 rpm water cooled diesel units operate on average 12,000-30,000 hours before major maintenance is required. 3600 rpm air-cooled gas units are normally replaced – not overhauled at 500 to 1500 hours.

Gasoline Burning Engines - 1800 rpm water cooled gas units normally operate 6,000-10,000 hours because they are built on a lighter duty gasoline engine block. Gas generators burn hotter (higher BTU of the fuel), thus you will see significantly shorter lifespan than the diesel units.

The fuel in a diesel engine is ignited by injecting it with air into the high temperature and pressure of the diesel engine cylinder, rather than a separate source of ignition energy used by other fuel supplies (such as a spark plug). This process is known as the diesel cycle after Rudolf Diesel, who invented it in 1892.

Diesel vs. Gasoline, Natural Gas and Propane - The most significant difference is safety and efficiency. Diesel fuel will not explode on its own and is safer to store and handle. Diesel engines are made to run at a high temperature, longer, and with much less maintenance than a gasoline engine.