Prepper Forum / Survivalist Forum banner

What is the best NEW deisel generator to buy?

12K views 47 replies 14 participants last post by  dieselgenerator  
#1 ·
#2 ·
It's such a crying shame that diesel gens are the loudest. It's just that one thing that prevents diesel from completely dwarfing every other gen. Least flammable, least maintenance required, most efficient, most durable, diesel fuel 10 times the shelf life of gasoline, least carbon monoxide...ok yes most expensive (for combustible engines, solar's way worse) but that's expected considering that u get what u pay for...then it gets completely ruined with the MOST noisey factor Ugh! The Onan QD says that it tops out at 68 decibels in some specs but 66 in other specs?? Anyway, still too loud for a set up with neighbors directly next to you IMO...not too bad if you have a little space. What a shame diesel's almost perfect!
 
#27 · (Edited)
Ok so my ideal diesel generator will be the smallest possible because my emergency use would be bare basics. I also learned that units that run at 1,800 RPMs are far superior that 3,600 RPM units. Also this generator is liquid cooled not air cooled! So let me know what you guys think, look at this Baby...

Shop for Perkins Diesel Generators - USA & Canada

What a friggin Beast!!!!
I love quoting myself like an arrogant bastard haha. Wow, for the record I found a couple diesel generators that beats the 65 decibels of the Aurora (Although they are unfortunately larger). Here's a 7 kW Kubota, 1,800 RPMs and only 62 decibels!!!

Kubota Powered 7 kW water cooled Diesel

Also, here are Yanmar generators that are listed at 65 decibels, but if you scroll down the page a little it says 'Super quiet 60 db option. Available in white.'

http://www.hardydiesel.com/yanmar-generator/

Are you kidding me??? 60 decibels is the noise level of the Honda EU7000 gasoline model! I have to call them about this and see if the 8 kW model comes with the 60 decibel white option (and how much it cost). If that option is not in the 8 kW size, or if it Trumps the price of the 7 kW Kubota I will be looking like I'm set on the Kubota (barring future research of something better).
 
#8 ·
IMO put in a propane generator like this one

Cummins Power Generation 13kW (Warm, Natural Gas) Home Standby Generator

You can bury the tank, it is very fuel efficient, it is the quietest generator on the market, and it burns very little fuel.

The thing that isn't mentioned in the sales flyer is when your tank gets to about 30% fill it will not run the generator according to the book, I haven't tested that fact.
 
#10 ·
Ummm because mine puts out 13kw and yours is like 2.5kw and if you do the math mine is a lot more efficient.

I realize if you have other options for fuel you have expand your options, but IMO put in a 500 gallon propane tank (or bigger), you have several hundreds gallons more than most people currently have saved up.

The added benefit of Propane is that is doesn't go bad, store it for years and it still does what you expect. That is not true with gas or diesel.
 
#11 ·
Well, this is fun I've been reading all night about diesel and propane generators, the pros & cons. I did come across a negative that has moved me from the Honda propane EU3000 being my ideal generator to being torn between propane & diesel. Apparently propane efficiency start taking a very drastic nose dive as temperatures drop further & further below 40 degrees. But anyway, putting the argument aside, I would like to make a bold statement that I have found the answer to my OP, I found the best out of the box diesel generator!! Feel free to disagree (what do I know). I have to also say that this is the ideal generator FOR MY USES!! Because I found out that diesel motors are best efficient when run near full load, and they are subject to 'Wet Stacking' when run at light loads (but luckily wet stacking is easily countered by slapping a heavy load on it).

Ok so my ideal diesel generator will be the smallest possible because my emergency use would be bare basics. I also learned that units that run at 1,800 RPMs are far superior that 3,600 RPM units. Also this generator is liquid cooled not air cooled! So let me know what you guys think, look at this Baby...

Shop for Perkins Diesel Generators - USA & Canada

What a friggin Beast!!!!
 
#13 ·
#14 ·
I am looking at this one right now. Duel fuel, electric start. I have an old gas generator that has seen better days so I am thinking of upgrading. I have been looking at Baffles and sound retention devices so I can run it quieter.

 
  • Like
Reactions: Slippy
#16 · (Edited)
Still loving my whisper quiet Champion 3100 Inverter. I can run my camper A/C while watching DirecTv and surfing the internet. I looked up that Generac Propane 5500. They didn't bother putting the Db level in the specs so I looked on You Tube. LOUD. I was going to build 3 cinder block walls with the open end facing away from my camper and a ramp down about two feet below grade inside of it. I figured that would make a train whistle quiet. I ended not needing anything. Generators at 58 Db are very tolerable.
 
#18 · (Edited)
4,000, but if you go up in watts the price doesn't jump up much, matter of fact you might consider the 4,000 watt unit the biggest rip off. I will check out Yanmar. I'm all ears for who makes the best diesel, i like what i read about the Aurora but I'm not sure. As my OP states I know that Honda & Yamaha are the best gasoline inverters...i would love to be certain which units are the best diesels. Cummins Onan? Yanmar? Aurora? Kohler? Kubota? Generac?

I know that i want 1,800 RPM not 3,600. Another thing I would like some advice on is water cooled vs air cooled. At first i thought water cooled is ideal but then i read how much lower the maintenance is for air cooled...that makes sense with all the extra parts for water cooled.
 
#19 ·
A word of caution - Everyone always puts emphasis on the engine of a generator. That is old and proven technology. If you want it quieter or on a different fuel that can be accomplished with kits later. As far as durability - as long as you service it and use premium oil, it will last decades. The only exception to that is the occasional lemon and everyone makes them. I would put more emphasis on the actual electronic components. This is where your electricity is going to come from. I'd put a premium on quality of electricity so you don't damage or shorten the life of the things you use on the generator and I'd also look heavily at the efficiency. A quality generator will use less gas and extend the life of the motor and time between service. Also - if it has a DC out on it, then you can use it to keep a battery bank charged so you have some power when the generator is off - remember none of the ones we are looking at have a 100% duty cycle. Most of them can run for 6 to 12 hours and if you are talking about doing that long term (over the course of a month) you may want to have multiple generators to swap in and out.

Example - You have a generator that can run 12 hours a day and you absolutely have to have gen-power for 24 hours a day to keep some sort of life support equipment running. You would want, at a minimum, 3 generators running 8 hour shifts. More likely 4 or 5 generators and run three on 8 hour shifts with a rotation so one is always out and available for service or as a back-up. Getting expensive isn't it? That's why I'm looking at solar and wind for the bulk of my electricity and only considering a generator to supplement batteries in the event of short cloudy days in the middle of winter.
 
#22 ·
I would put more emphasis on the actual electronic components. This is where your electricity is going to come from. I'd put a premium on quality of electricity so you don't damage or shorten the life of the things you use on the generator and I'd also look heavily at the efficiency. A quality generator will use less gas and extend the life of the motor and time between service.
I'm only interested in the units that are regulated for sensitive equipment, the Aurora, Cummins Onan, etc, so I think I'm covered there.

Example - You have a generator that can run 12 hours a day and you absolutely have to have gen-power for 24 hours a day to keep some sort of life support equipment running. You would want, at a minimum, 3 generators running 8 hour shifts. More likely 4 or 5 generators and run three on 8 hour shifts with a rotation so one is always out and available for service or as a back-up. Getting expensive isn't it? That's why I'm looking at solar and wind for the bulk of my electricity and only considering a generator to supplement batteries in the event of short cloudy days in the middle of winter.
This is why i'm looking at 1,800 RPM diesels, as opposed to 3,600 RPM units everything i've read says that 1,800 RPM units can be run continuously...total work horses!

Two ideas for ANY generator / inverter you may get.

1. A quiet box.
Hey look at this, pricey but looks incredible...

http://www.zombie-box.com/

You should know US military has used Yanmar to repower when they refurbish their generators.

In fact I would consider a refurbished military diesel, they come with aux fuel pumps so you can run off a 55-gal drum or 275-gal fuel oil tank. They are all under rated at 75% at 5000 ft elevation. Built for 24/7 continuous use.Also consider parts availability. Military stuff will be around vs a Chi-Com or foreign unit. The 3K GI units will do a well, have 240V, pull or electric start, and are portable. The 5 or 10K units are beasts that will power a house, but you won't be lifting them without equipment.

I just checked and Green Mountain is having a sale, it may be my time to buy the 3kW and the spider box:

2 kW

https://greenmountaingenerators.com/product/mep-531a-2kw-military-diesel-generator/

3kW

https://greenmountaingenerators.com/product/mep016d-3kw-diesel-generator-yanmar-l70-engine-old-mep016a/

5kW with ASK

https://greenmountaingenerators.com/product/mep002a-5kw-military-diesel-generator-with-ask-acoustic-suppression-kit-soundproofing/

5kW w/ASK and enclosure

https://greenmountaingenerators.com/product/mep802a-5kw-military-diesel-generator/

If you want portable 5-10 kW get the trailer, but you will need a real truck with a pintle

https://greenmountaingenerators.com/product/m116a2-military-trailer-for-mep002a-and-mep003a-with-ribs/

The spider box looks like the cats azz for a distribution box, needs 3 pahse 208 V input:

https://greenmountaingenerators.com/product/military-spider-distribution-box-nsn-6110002051637/
Wow so much to chew on here...OMG, the 2kW unit is 152 lbs, and the 5kW with ASK and enclosure is 5,000 lbs??? Did I read that right? These units look like tanks. Unfortunately the 3kW unit doesn't list the weight. That trailer looks like an interesting option but i wonder how many decibels the 5kW with ASK and enclosure is. It would be sweet to stick the 2kW or 3 kW units in that ZombieBox I listed above (http://www.zombie-box.com/).
 
#20 · (Edited)
Two ideas for ANY generator / inverter you may get.

1. A quiet box. I'd make mine look like a dog house and build it a little differently to increase airflow while reducing sound.

2. Using an auto muffler to quiet it down some.

Note - I'd NEVER recommend running it inside my garage.

Here's a pretty good one.

If you have a smartphone, you can download a DB meter for free to test your devices.
 
#31 ·
Those MEP802A 5kW are 1800 rpm Onan engines ONLY 70 dB:

MEP-802A – MEP-812A Specifications
Identification Data
Description 5 kW TQG, 60 Hz, DED, Skid Mtd 5 kW TQG, DED, 400Hz, Skid Mtd
Model MEP-802A MEP-812A
NSN 6115-01-274-7387 6115-01-274-7391
LIN G11966 G12102
Specification MIL-DTL-53133/1 MIL-DTL-53133/2
SSN M53500 M53500
Trailer mounted configurations PU- 797A: Figure A-6; AN/MJQ- 35A: Figure A-7and; AN/MJQ-36: Figure A-8 None
Physical Characteristics
Dimensions LWH (in) 51 x 32 x 37 (Cube:34 ft3)
Wet Weight (lbs) 888 911
Engine Onan DN2M Diesel, 2 cylinder/4 stroke, 11.0hp @1800 RPM, 24VDC start, liquid-cooled.
Instrumentation Hour meter, voltmeter, frequency, amps (% RL), oil pressure, fuel, coolant temp, battery amps, emergency stop, battle short
Fuels Diesel DL-1, DL-2; Jet Fuel JP-8
Fuel Capacity Fuel tank: 5 gallons
Performance Characteristics
Power Rating 5kW, 0.8 pf @ 4000ft/120°F; 110% Max Power; De-rate: 3.5%/1000 ft from 4000 to 8000 ft
Environmental Capability -25°F (-50°F with Winterization Kit) to 125°F, rain, humidity, altitude, sand/dust, transportation, cold storage: -60°F, salt spray, fungus, 15° incline.
Protective Devices Automatic shut down with emergency bypass for low oil pressure, coolant high-temp, no fuel, and over-voltage.
Fuel Consumption 0.57 gph @ rated load. 0.56 gph @ rated load.
Human Factors MIL-STD-1474.
Noise 70 dBA @ 7 meters (23 ft).
Reliability (MTBF) 486 hr @ 80% LCL 479 hr @ 80% LCL
Maintenance Ratio less than 0.05
Electrical Characteristics
Connection 120/240V, 1ph, 3 wire 120V, 1ph, 2 wire 120/208V, 3ph, 4 wire
Voltage Adj Range 228 –252 V 114 – 126 V 205 –220 V
Frequency Adj Range ±3%
Electrical Drip-proof generator enclosure, fungus & moisture treated, solid state voltage regulator, brushless rotary exciter, solderless connectors, 60Hz: Onan alternator, 4 pole; 400Hz: Onan alternator, 24 pole. Convenience receptacle on 60Hz set.
Electrical Performance
Electric Power Quality AC Voltage Frequency
Regulation 3% 3%
Modulation 2.5%
Short term steady state stability (30 sec) 2% bandwidth 2% bandwidth
Long term steady state stability (4 hr) 4% bandwidth 3% bandwidth
Appl./rejection of rated load, recovery time 20% dip/rise, 3 sec 3% under/4% over, 3 sec
Motor load 35% dip, 5 sec to 95% init volt
Max waveform deviation factor 6% (1 phase); 5% (3 phase)
Individual waveform harmonic 3% (1 phase); 2% (3 phase)
EMI Meets MIL-STD-461C, Part 9
EMP HAEMP IAW MIL-STD-2169
Optional Equipment
Description NSN Tech Bulletin Effect on Dimensions (in)
Winterization kit 6115-01-476-8973 TB 9-6115-641-13 None (internal)
Technical Manuals
Army Air Force Marine Corps
Operator TM 9-6115-641-10 TO 35C2-3-456-11 None
Unit, DS, GS TM 9-6115-641-24 TO 35C2-3-456-12
RPSTL TM 9-6115-641-24P TO 35C2-3-456-14
Engine Maintenance TM 9-2815-252-24 TO 38G1-92-2
Engine Parts TM 9-2815-252-24P TO 38G1-92-4
Lube Order LO 9-6115-641-12
Warranty TB 9-6115-641-24