Diesel Generators..................

[Sourdough]

I think I have (5) five gas generators. 4 run good, one needs a little TLC.

Does anyone have extensive experience with Real world useful life of diesel generators...????

The dealers talk about 20,000 Hours and 30,000 hours as standard, but I don't buy it. My diesel trucks have hour meters. And if you take 25,000 hours time 50 Miles Per Hour Average you get 1,250,000 miles; and I know you are going to need one major and two tops.

Anyone have a brother inlaw in the generator business. I am looking at $6,K to $7,K all'in for a small one.

[crashdive123]

No I don't. Not with diesel's.

[Sourdough]

No I don't. Not with diesel's.

I can't get a Nuclear powered one.

[rebel]

My insinct would say No to air-cooled and chinese.

[Sourdough]

My insinct would say No to air-cooled and chinese.

Rebel, You are correct: If you buy a diesel that runs at 3,600 RPM's as apposed to 1,800 RPM diesel. you have defeated the primary advantage of lower RPM= LOWER WEAR on PARTS.

[crashdive123]

I can't get a Nuclear powered one.

I was actually thinking gasoline. (just wanted to keep with your recurring theme, and not give advice on something that don't know squat about) But if we're talking subs, I have worked on our diesel - yep we got em. Fairbanks Morse, 12 cylinder, 24 piston....might be a bit big for you applications (unless you want to turn your homestead into a small town)

[rebel]

How fast do you need to turn those tractor driven generators? Seems a good compact diesel tractor would be a multi-use item for this set-up.

[Riverrat]

A camp I used to guide at ran a diesel when thier power went out. Not sure what the output was but it would run 6 fairly large camps, complete with fridges and freezers. It would run a max of two weeks a year and we sreviced it once a year. Still there and running good that was 7 years ago I worked there.

[Sourdough]

How fast do you need to turn those tractor driven generators? Seems a good compact diesel tractor would be a multi-use item for this set-up.

You are right, and for some reason I keep forgetting that option. I have a military 6X6 with a PTO and I can adjust the RPM's.

[Sourdough]

Riverrat, We have a class III and V river here. And the "RIVERRATS" are showing up for the summer season.

[rebel]

6x6!!! I've always thought about one of those. It would be nice to have some attachements to go along with the beast. Couldn't you rig a 3-point hitch? Then things like a back hoe.

[Sourdough]

A back-hoe can be mounted on the 6X6. For me the tractor w/loader is more year around useful. I am selling the 6X6.

[carcajou garou]

Does diesel fuel stabalise for storage as well as regular gasoline?
(with the additives of course)

[Sourdough]

CG, It appears that the answer is yes. And climate may be a factor in storage life. The very best is propane, but propane generators run at 3600 RPM.

[BraggSurvivor]

hopeak, I have two diesel generators. One is a Industrial 60KW Kamatsu DLE fully inclosed whisper quiet genset on wheels. It runs maximum power at 1560rpm. It's got 10640 hours on it and it starts and runs perfectly. Not one problem whatso ever and has never let me down. I use it on large commercial jobsites when services are not yey installed.

Last spring I purchased a chinese product called Duropower. It's a 15KW totally inclosed that I use on a transfer switch for my house if the power goes out. Smokes a bit when starting but for the price you just cant beat it. No problems so far but it only has about 37 hours.

I'm changing oil and filters religously.

Here is a link:

http://www.duropower.com/

[BraggSurvivor]

Oh, and hooking a generator for your PTO on your future tractor is not economical. The tractor will run you 18K-30k depending on horsepower you get. Pretty expensive generator to be putting hours on.....

[Mountain Man]

The old train diesels for cooling cars are very popular (ok not "very") but are a VERY good choice for a sub 5k system!

You can get them at Harbor Freight (REBUILT!!!) for <5k$ especially with a 20% off coupon they run every month or so.

I have a plan to get one to power my house (I don't need nearly 20,000watts) and my shop/garage. I only need 5kw or less for my house but to run the shop/garage I need much more, and I may need to weld/cut/etc something when there is now power thus the high-power diesel genset

Ideally I`d love to have a 10kw propane, and the 20kw diesel... but that depends on the plans for hte future w/solar,etc going on too!

[2dumb2kwit]

Riverrat, We have a class III and V river here. And the "RIVERRATS" are showing up for the summer season.

Hey...you could get a bunch of these...and some batteries...LOL

http://www.otherpower.com/otherpower...aterwheel.html