Whisch is the best choice?

-- Rick#7 (rick7@postmark.net), August 20, 2001

Answers

The low r.p.m.'s of a diesel generator will give you roughly double the fuel economy of a similar power size gas generator, and at least twice or triple the life span of the motor. Propane is at least three times the cost for fuel, and gives you less than half the power for the fuel consumed.

These are the same reasons over-the-road tractor trailers are exclusively diesel powered, we get a million or a million and a half miles before our major engine overhauls, try that with a gas job engine!!! That and 450 horsepower output and still 8 miles per gallon of fuel.

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), August 20, 2001.

What are you looking for in a generator? How much power, How often will it run? All these play into best generator.

Overal a diesel generator is overall best, but its more expensive, may require a new fuel you dont normally have on hand. Generally used on larger Genesets. Your hard pressed to find a 1kw diesel generator, but from 5K and up they are plentiful.

If your looking for a once in a while generator a good gas unit is the best route, if your looking for a long lasting, often used unit then diesel is the way to go.

-- Gary (gws@redbird.net), August 20, 2001.

This may depend on the application. If the generator is going to be rarely used, the advantages of diesel may not justify the initial cost.

cheers,

-- Max (Maxel@inwindsor.com), August 20, 2001.

Ok Rick Where are you ?? Diesel in really cold weather will "gel" Is it for backup use? or daily? Propane is very clean burning---engins/oil last longer. My propane gen will start right up at -10 degrees!!! Also mine turns at 2500rpm NOT 3600....But the gas jobs are a hole lot cheaper.......flip a coin!!

-- Jim-mi (hartalteng@voyager.net), August 20, 2001.

P.S. ...Propane will store safely for a VERY long time.....hot or cold

-- Jim-mi (hartalteng@voyager.net), August 20, 2001.

With a little investment of time and money, you could make your own biodiesel fuel from your handy local fast food restaurant's waste fats, thus saving yourself worries over availability (you can always use regular diesel if you are short on time - the fuels can mix), storage (make what you need when you need it - the components are readily available), and engine wear (biodiesel gets better "gas milage" than regular diesel and is better for your engine, so much so that if you have a used one you will have to replace the fuel filter after the first tankful, as it will have cleaned out all the junk in your lines and deposited it therein.)

-- Soni (thomkilroy@hotmail.com), August 21, 2001.

see this months issue of HOME POWER magazine. they had a good article about converting a regular gasoline powered generator to propane power. simple matter of buying carburetor changeover. also i think you should consider a quieter muffler. i have a 4kw gas unit and local muffler shop welded up a small automotive muffler to it, now its muchhhhhhhhhhh quieter.

gene

-- gene ward (gward34847@aol.com), August 21, 2001.

Thanks for the answers.

I'm in central Texas. I will likely use the generator about twenty hours a week.

-- Rick#7 (rick7@postmark.net), August 21, 2001.

We purchase our diesel a year or more in advance ( to take advantage of cheap summer prices) from our local ag bulk supplier and we always get the premium grade for 2 cents more per gallon, it is winterized so there is no fuel gelling and stabilized so no degradation of the fuel occurs in storage. Buy premium fuel, and you will have no fuel/dirt problems, diesel is very stable and stores a very, very long time.

Go with the diesel, Rick, you will always be able to re-sell it at almost your full purchase price.

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), August 21, 2001.

For what it's worth, I've heard of a propane backup generator which detects power outtages and starts up on it's own. Sounded like a neat idea. Anyone tried this one?

-- Gary in Indiana (gk6854@aol.com), August 21, 2001.

Yup .....I can program my inverter to auto start the genny.

-- Jim-mi (hartalteng@voyager.net), August 21, 2001.