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Old 12-06-2017, 09:29 AM   #1
ADQ K9
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Diesel generators ( portable)

Any one use them, do they actually exist? I am talking like 4k and under like maybe 150 lbs. Not really talking about a permanent mount in a bay but one to put in the back or a pick up etc. Just curious.
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Old 12-06-2017, 09:51 AM   #2
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We built an all electric home in Louisiana when the grid was less than reliable. That mandated we install a standby generator to provide power on a "far too frequent basis".... Since natural gas was not available and propane was prohibited in the sub division, that left gas or diesel. We chose diesel. It was loud, heavy, hard (impossible) to find someone to work on it and far too messy for regular use.

If you've ever spilled just a little diesel and had dirt/dust blow around to cover it, or if you've ever stepped out of your truck to refuel at a busy diesel pump, you know what a "splash or two" of diesel can mean to cleanliness.

There are several "portable" (I think that means they put wheels on a non-portable model) diesel generators on the market. Most are in the 5K-7.5K range and weigh in excess of 200 pounds. They are far too heavy to lift in and out of a truck, so they just aren't "portable" even though they have wheels.

From my experiences, I'd suggest not considering a small diesel generator for portable use. Just trying to keep the oily residue off the fuel tank turned out to be an every time I refueled event....

Now, add to the above that almost all "portable diesel generators" are in the "over $4000 range" makes them a "non-starter" for most travel trailer power alternatives.
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Old 12-06-2017, 10:21 AM   #3
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Yeah, like I say more curious than anything else. Your points are valid. On a Class A bus or coach that is diesel powered it is a no brainer.
I work around fuels and hydrocarbons for a living so I can tell you it is possible not to spill if precautions are taken. Most of what I see and you too is probably carelessness vs equipment failures.
BTW I run 2 Yamaha 2K generators when needed.
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Old 12-06-2017, 10:36 AM   #4
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Most of my experience with diesel generators is negative. If I were building a house in today's market and looking for a generator, I'd scratch diesel from the list, probably before I started looking. Not because of reliability (that never was a problem) but because of the difficulty in finding maintenance support and in keeping diesel fuel "fresh" during storage and transporting that fuel from the station to the generator.

Nothing would please me more than to find a small, lightweight, easy to maintain diesel generator. But, it doesn't seem the market has offered one for general use that's affordable, quiet and available to the public.
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Old 12-06-2017, 11:08 AM   #5
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Most of the ones I work around have enough to power a whole park, powered by Cat, MTU etc. I used to work for a drag racer, His shop was so clean you could eat off the floor. That rubbed off on me, I can't stand having a dirty work environment its a battle I fight every day when I work. I put booties/shoe covers and gloves on when I go to fill up my truck at the diesel pump so I don't track anything like spilled fuel, and absorbents. Not a germaphobe but you are not supposed to smell fuel in the cab of the truck.
When I install a back up home generator it will probably be propane/ gasoline due to the fact that any real disaster we will have up here would be an earthquake and possibly rupture gas lines.
I am sure it would be a niche market for a small generator like that and yes they are very costly for an RV application
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Old 12-06-2017, 01:08 PM   #6
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Under $4k and 150 lbs? No.

The most "portable" I've seen are the Onan units in diesel pushers. There are a few non-Onan's for marine use too. Typically water cooled. These CAN be serviced - but they're going to cost way more than $4k and they are not under 150lbs.

Diesel, at 22:1 or so compression takes some pretty hefty metal to keep it together. And it has to make all that compression typically at 1600 RPM or so - that's a lot of power in combustion chamber. Think about it - you might be able to lift a 15hp gas motor, but a 15hp diesel motor - well, you can find those mounted in compact tractors - not light.


I'm building a house. I love diesel for the easy of access, low RPM, great fuel usage. However, I won't be using it as I don't want to have to deal with the long term storage of the fuel (gasoline is worse).

I know of zero truly portable diesel generator solutions... There may be one out there, but it's going to be heavy and designed to put out pretty decent power. Alternatively, throw some wheels on an Onan, but it's going to be over 150 lbs.
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Old 12-06-2017, 01:43 PM   #7
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.


They are out there, various prices and various weights.


Generac, 5 KW, 254 lbs, $4249.

https://www.amazon.com/Generac-6864-...sel+generators


Durostar, 6.5 KW, 355 lbs, $1,699.
https://www.amazon.com/DuroStar-DS70...sel+generators


Generac, 5 KW, 247 lbs, $3,699.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Generac-...6864/206424479


DuroStar, 6.5 KW, $1,699.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/DuroStar-...tart/931419962


CAG portable Diesel Generators, 2 KW to 12 KW.
http://www.cagengines.com/portable-diesel-generator/


Etc, Etc, Etc.


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Old 12-06-2017, 01:50 PM   #8
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DCG,
Like I stated in the first I am just curious. I love diesel, for the same reasons. When I said 4K I was not refering to price but wattage I should have said 4Kw anything diesel related is gonna be expensive.
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Old 12-06-2017, 01:54 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ADQ K9 View Post
Like I stated in the first I am just curious. I love diesel, for the same reasons. When I said 4K I was not refering to price but wattage I should have said 4Kw anything diesel related in gonna be expensive.

Bit on the heavy side. Don't think diesel will come in under 150 lbs.

Durostar, 6.5 KW, 355 lbs, $1,699.

https://www.amazon.com/DuroStar-DS70...sel+generators


.
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Old 12-06-2017, 01:56 PM   #10
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Thanks Hodgy those are bigger than I was thinking but that last one might be a possibility
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Old 12-06-2017, 02:18 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ADQ K9 View Post
Thanks Hodgy those are bigger than I was thinking but that last one might be a possibility

I took a look at the CAG ones, the standard 4 KW weighs 100 lbs and the silent 4 KW weights 160 lbs. that is not to bad.


The $$$ on the other hand may be very, very bad !


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Old 12-06-2017, 03:44 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ADQ K9 View Post
Any one use them, do they actually exist? I am talking like 4k and under like maybe 150 lbs. Not really talking about a permanent mount in a bay but one to put in the back or a pick up etc. Just curious.
Mike,
Certainly diesel has its advantages. Have you considered Liquid Propane for your generator? I just put a Tri-Fuel Conversion kit (gasoline/LP/NG) on my Generac GP5500. And it works like a champ...with no worry of stale fuel when its needed most. The conversion kits are available for many gennies of many sizes.

I previously started a thread on the conversion here:
http://www.keystoneforums.com/forums...ad.php?t=31098

Good luck with whatever direction you might choose!
Mike
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Old 12-06-2017, 03:59 PM   #13
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. Nice conversion there, and flexible.
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Old 12-07-2017, 07:48 AM   #14
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For now my two Yamaha 4kw parallel setup works just fine for camping. I carry 10 gallons of gas on board for them they only weigh about 45 lbs each and use a fuel satbilizer When I get a genset for the house, it will be propane powered.
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Old 12-07-2017, 10:24 AM   #15
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One concern would be sound level with a diesel generator. At least for camping, you want it to be 60dB or below. The "silent" CAG version is 68dB.
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Old 12-07-2017, 03:04 PM   #16
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Yeah and the additional weight is Insulation/ sound deadner?
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