Guide to Using Diesel Generators

Keep your business from losing money with the standby power of diesel generators

By Michelle Cramer

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Maintain controlled temperatures with a diesel power generator

Many businesses use metal storage buildings to store excess supplies, files and electronics. Some of these units come with the ability to have climate control to protect the items stored within them. However, you may have to place the unit in a location that doesn't have electrical access. A diesel generator will give you the power you need to maintain controlled temperatures in your storage unit, or other facility, that would otherwise not have access to electrical power.

I recommend: Diesel Service & Supply provides information on how a diesel generator works and the advantages of its use. Find used diesel generators for sale by Diesel Power Generators.

Use a portable diesel generator for various locations

Obtaining a portable generator will enable you to use it wherever there is a need. For example, if you operate a large factory and a fuse blows in one area, causing no power to go to only a portion of your machines, you can hook them up to your portable diesel generator and keep things running. Alternatively, if your business has various locations across town and one of those locations has electrical problems, you can relocate your portable generator to provide that building power.

I recommend: A&A Power Generators explains the benefits of using a diesel generator over gas and offers diesel standby generators so you won’t be in the dark during a power outage. Bowers Generator Systems offers diesel generators that produce 3 to 2,000 kilowatts.

Power your fishing fleet with diesel generators

If you own a fishing business, you obviously have boats to power. Many fishing boats are out to sea for weeks without coming to shore, such as crab boats. These anglers need a means of not only powering the boat itself but also heating the cabin for comfort, cooking food and other necessities. Power your fleet with marine diesel generators, since they run longer, harder and are more reliable.

I recommend: Visit PoweredGenerators.com for information and advice regarding the usage of marine generators. Purchase marine diesel generators from GeneratorJoe.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Diesel powered generators will save you money over gas generators. For starters, the cost of kilowatts produced is 30% to 50% cheaper when using diesel fuel. Additionally, diesel generators run cooler, which allows them to last much longer than gas generators.

1. Diesel powered generators can keep you business up and running during a power outage.
2. Diesel generators can protect valuable perishable items or other materials that need to stay cool.
3. Portable diesel generators can be stored away and brought out only when needed.
4. A used diesel generator can be easily purchased and will end up saving you money in the long run.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Decide on stationary or portable diesel generators

In general, most businesses will be looking for diesel standby generators that are stationary. You won't generally save any money by buying a portable unit and it's usually less hassle to buy a stationary unit and have it set up ready to go.

I recommend: GeneratorJoe offers both portable and stationary generators for homes and businesses. All World Diesel Generators also has a wide range of diesel powered generators available.

Know the load that the regular or portable diesel generator will handle

Keeping a hospital up and running at 100% power requires a higher load than a generator that only needs to run a walk in cooler. Buying the correct generator will make sure you have the power you need for the right cost. Handling loads that are much larger or smaller than the generator size will make your generator wear out or break much more quickly.

I recommend: GoPower carries industrial diesel generators for larger businesses. USP&E has used generators for sale, which can help you get the load that you need for the price you can afford.

Look for a major brand diesel generator

Although it may be tempting to buy an off brand for the lower cost, your best bet long term is a major brand. This way, you know you can get compatible parts and you'll find more service alternatives if you run into problems.

I recommend: US Diesel Engines sells a number of diesel generator sets. Emergency Power has several Watt models available.

Buy accessories to make your portable diesel generator work more efficiently

Before you get the generator up and running, you must make sure that your power cords are appropriate. You may also want to look into automatic transfers, ready to load centers and portability kits.

I recommend: PeakPowerTools sells a number of generator accessories. Get extras, parts and accessories from Cummins Power.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  An 1800 rpm water cooled diesel generator lasts double or triple the time of a gas generator before major maintenance is needed.

Guide to Diesel Generators Basics

The benefits of a using diesel powered generators over gas powered

By Michelle Cramer

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Produce electricity with diesel powered generators

A diesel powered generator operates through compression rather than a sparked ignition. The cost of diesel fuel per Kilowatt produced tends to be 30% to 50% cheaper than gasoline. Unlike gas powered generators, diesel generators don't mix the air and fuel, allowing for a higher ratio of compression. Diesel units also burn cooler, which extends the length of time that they last. Because of all of these benefits, using a diesel unit will save your business money in the long run, even if the unit itself is a bit more expensive.

I recommend: If the initial investment is somewhat daunting to you, consider a used generator. Purchase a reconditioned or used diesel generator from Hardy Diesel Generators. Find hundreds of used diesel generators for sale by USP&E.

Power machinery and appliances with diesel generators

A portable diesel generator gives you the ability to power a facility that might otherwise not have power due to no power line connections. For example, you can use a generator with an outdoor steel storage facility to provide climate control so that none of your stored items suffer damage.

I recommend: Northern Tool + Equipment offers 5,000- to 6,999-watt portable diesel generators. Best Generators has more than 50 diesel generators for sale.

Continue production when the competition can't with a diesel generator

If the power goes out and you have a diesel generator to keep things running, you will likely have a leg up on the competition. If you can offer your products and services to clients when others can't, then your business will continue to grow and gain stronger loyalty. Customers will recognize that they can always rely on you to meet their needs, even when it seems impossible.

I recommend: Bowers Generator Systems has diesel generators for sale with various wattages. All-World Diesel Generator lists diesel generators for sale by manufacturer.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Portable small diesel generators or large stationary units are available. Which you choose depends upon the wattage output you need and your location. If you will need the generator in various places, then a portable is best. If you have a site that you don't plan on moving from, consider a stationary unit.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Watts or kilowatts

Diesel generators are rated by watts (W) or kilowatts (kW). Make sure that your generator is powerful enough to meet your needs, but don't buy one that is too big, as under utilization can damage the generator.

I recommend: Diesel Service & Supply presents an excellent discussion about choosing the right size diesel generator for your application.

Run time

Run time is how long the generator's fuel will last at capacity. To increase your run time, choose a generator with a larger fuel tank or a smaller generator with the same-sized fuel tank.

I recommend: Epicenter Supplies describes run time and many other generator-related issues.

Utility or mains frequency

The utility or mains frequency is the frequency in Hertz (Hz) at which power is supplied from power plants to consumers. Although the frequency in most of the world is 50 Hertz, the frequency in the U.S. is 60 Hertz. Unless your equipment is designed to run at both 50 and 60 Hertz, make sure you buy a generator that matches the utility frequency in your part of the world.

I recommend: Falcon Electric discusses international standards regarding both Hertz and voltage.

Standby generator

If you can't afford a second of downtime, you can buy a diesel generator that automatically kicks in when the main power goes out. These standby generators are usually larger than portable generators because they're intended to power entire buildings or critical systems such as elevators.

I recommend: Electric Generators Direct has great information on standby generators.

Trailer-mounted or towable

Trailer-mounted, or towable, diesel generators are designed to be towed by a truck to a worksite. They are commonly used in construction and are popular rentals.

I recommend: Bowers Generator Systems has an illustration of a trailer-mounted diesel generator along with application information and specifications on several models.

Emergency or portable

Emergency, or portable diesel generators, are used most often by homeowners or small businesses in the event of an unexpected power outage. Portable generators are usually small enough to be moved by one person and have wheels for added convenience.

I recommend: Check out usdieselengines.com for an illustration of several portable diesel generators.