Diesel Power Generator

Costs and Comparison of Diesel Powered Generators vs. Gas

Most of the us when searching for a reliable generator are biased against a diesel power generator and rather opt for a gasoline powered one.

Why is this?

It is time we realize that diesel powered internal combustion engines have come a long way from the noisy and polluting engines of the last decade.

In a time when most of the automotive sector is shifting its primary focus onto diesel engines, it would be an excellent idea to take a serious look at diesel powered generators..

There are a lot of preconceived notions about diesel engines, which customers have to realize, before they fall prey to industry buzz words.

Diesel generators can run just as quietly as any other gasoline powered generator. Most of the gas generators have a circuitry which enables them to run at a very low power output while idling. Connecting an appliance will cause the generator to power up to its full output and also revealing its true sound levels.

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You should always ask the salesman to run the gas powered generator at its full output level before comparing its noise output.

In an internal combustion engines gas is forced to expand, by heating it, and then it is converted to mechanical energy. Diesel is capable of expanding at a lower temperature than gasoline which translates to lower running temperature of the generator, thus increasing the longevity of the engine.

So if less energy is wasted as heat, diesel makes a more efficient fuel. Gas generators are built to be portable and for occasional use only. They cannot withstand long continuous sessions of load.

Gas engines also have too many parts ranging from spark plugs to carburettors, which need a lot of maintenance.

Diesel generators are built for longevity and all that is required is proper cleaning of the air filter and regular oil change as mandated by the manufacturer. Diesel generators also guarantee a steady output enabling you to connect sensitive equipment like computers etc.

Drawbacks to a Diesel Power Generator?

Although all the above factors do encourage the buyer to go for a diesel generator, there are drawbacks for diesel generators. The cost of a diesel generator may set you back by approximately $2000 more than a gas powered one.

This is more than enough reason for most buyers to back off from the deal.

Before Buying a Diesel Power Generator...

Most internal combustion engines are sensitive to sudden starts and stops and diesel engines are all the more sensitive. Operating a diesel generator for short bursts would shorten its lifespan significantly.

The lack of an idling feature also pushes up the running costs if the appliances are not used. Diesel engines need to be started only to run for long time and the user should keep in mind not to connect high loads immediately after firing up the generator. It also needs to run a bit with no load before shutting it down.

Although the high initial costs are a strong deterrent, diesel generators can save a lot more for the user compared to their gas powered counterparts. The cost per kilowatt hour is way lower for a diesel generator thanks to its fuel efficiency.

Gas generators simply have too many things that can go wrong, spark plugs, ignition points, rotors etc. Comparatively a diesel generator is a more stable choice considering its stable power output and lesser noise levels.

For a customer who plans to use a generator only on the jobsite for short intervals we would recommend a gasoline generator. But for a generator that is to be an intrinsic part of an electrical power supply system we definitely recommend a diesel generator, as the initial costs can be overcome.

Diesel Generator Video

As a reminder, we do not sell generators ourselves. We only review and report the information that is out there. Even though this video is promotional, we thought it worth showing here. Aurora Generator receives some great marks.