Small diesel generator...

[Mark-]

Hello,

Any recommendations for a 2000-5000W portable diesel generator?

 

[wpns]

Google is not my friend this morning, but I am finding some at https://www.absolutegenerators.com/fuel/diesel-powered-generators/fuel-type/diesel starting at $4K. Portable and diesel don’t really go together,

 

[pvdude]

Years ago, I bought a small, but not portable, Diesel generator from these guys:

https://www.centralmainediesel.com/diesel-generators.asp

 

[RCinFLA]

Many of the small Chinese diesel generators run their engine at 3600 rpm's.

High compression diesel engines don't last very long running at 3600 rpms.

 

[seneysolar]

https://www.centralmainediesel.com/order/Kubota-Portable-Diesel-Generator.asp?page=Kubota_Portable

 

[wpns]

Hello,

Any recommendations for a 2000-5000W portable diesel generator?

Any particular reason for diesel? That’s kinda the sweet spot for portable gasoline/propane/NG generators…
Not that diesel isn’t better in some ways, just curious what your criteria are

 

[Mark-]

Any particular reason for diesel? That’s kinda the sweet spot for portable gasoline/propane/NG generators…
Not that diesel isn’t better in some ways, just curious what your criteria are

I have dyed diesel storage for the tractor.

 

[Partimewages]

Kubota and Onan but I'm not sure if they go that small

 

[seneysolar]

Kubota lowboy 7k , they make a wheel kit for moving it around, very fuel efficient. Parts, warranty and service at any Kubota dealer.

Kubota GL7000 Lowboy II Diesel Industrial Generator 7kW

Kubota GL7000 Lowboy II Diesel Industrial Generator 7kW - GL7000

www.acmetools.com

 

[dopeassjackson]

What ever diesel you get make sure it's a 1800rpm unit. Theyblast longer and are more quiet. $4k should get you a decent non chinese brand diesel generator.

If you dont need it as portable you can trailer mount a Mep802a. Liquid cooled, 1800rpm military diesel that's designed to run on red diesel. They also burn less fuel per KW than a honda eu2200.

 

[mvonw]

This what you want:

Cummins Onan QD 5000 Commercial Mobile Diesel Generator - 5.0HDKBC-2861, 5 kW Prime, Single-Phase, 120/240 Volt, Liquid-cooled

Cummins Onan QD 5000 Commercial Mobile Diesel Generator - 5.0HDKBC-2861, 5 kW Prime, Single-Phase, 120/240 Volt, Liquid-cooled Automatic glow plug eliminates preheat time uncertainty. Efficient and convenient operation monitoring and control. Conveni

www.absolutegenerators.com

No, it's not cheap, but if you change the oil, it will last longer than you.

 

[SilverbackMP]

This what you want:

Cummins Onan QD 5000 Commercial Mobile Diesel Generator - 5.0HDKBC-2861, 5 kW Prime, Single-Phase, 120/240 Volt, Liquid-cooled

Cummins Onan QD 5000 Commercial Mobile Diesel Generator - 5.0HDKBC-2861, 5 kW Prime, Single-Phase, 120/240 Volt, Liquid-cooled Automatic glow plug eliminates preheat time uncertainty. Efficient and convenient operation monitoring and control. Conveni

www.absolutegenerators.com

No, it's not cheap, but if you change the oil, it will last longer than you.

My parents have a dead Onan (propane) sitting in their yard that lasted 4-5 years. It could probably be revived, but after two main circuit boards and a Cummins tech scratching his ass on a connected laptop for three days trying to figure out generators (no clue), they abandoned it.

 

[42OhmsPA]

I have dyed diesel storage for the tractor.

What about a PTO generator?

 

[Mark-]

This what you want:

Cummins Onan QD 5000 Commercial Mobile Diesel Generator - 5.0HDKBC-2861, 5 kW Prime, Single-Phase, 120/240 Volt, Liquid-cooled

Cummins Onan QD 5000 Commercial Mobile Diesel Generator - 5.0HDKBC-2861, 5 kW Prime, Single-Phase, 120/240 Volt, Liquid-cooled Automatic glow plug eliminates preheat time uncertainty. Efficient and convenient operation monitoring and control. Conveni

www.absolutegenerators.com

No, it's not cheap, but if you change the oil, it will last longer than you.

Yes, I had an Onan 7000 (diesel) in a motorhome at one time and it worked without issue for years.

 

[Mark-]

What about a PTO generator?

I thought about it and looked around but, decided a dedicated engine/generator would be a better solution, for me.

 

[Hedges]

My parents have a dead Onan (propane) sitting in their yard that lasted 4-5 years. It could probably be revived, but after two main circuit boards and a Cummins tech scratching his ass on a connected laptop for three days trying to figure out generators (no clue), they abandoned it.

Diesel and propane generators predate laptops.
An old rebuilt one could be better. Until the last of the mechanics die off?

What is used in refrigerated sea going containers?

 

[SilverbackMP]

Diesel and propane generators predate laptops.
An old rebuilt one could be better. Until the last of the mechanics die off?

What is used in refrigerated sea going containers?

Photo taken just now through a screen and dirty window.



I trust the orange Ingersol Cummins 4BT powered unit to the right. It’s had a starter and water pump replaced and no computer control. Easy to work on.

The early 2000s Onan to the left (near the propane tank)? Not so much.

I would be looking for specific military MEP units. New? I would be game to try out a Yanmar.

 

[xjaw4]

Light tower generators are 1800 rpm diesels in the 4 to 8 kw range. Kubota, Kohler and Mitsubishi are common engine manufacturers typically 3 cyl around 1 liter.

 

[SilverbackMP]

Light tower generators are 1800 rpm diesels in the 4 to 8 kw range. Kubota, Kohler and Mitsubishi are common engine manufacturers typically 3 cyl around 1 liter.

The Kubota Lowboys are 3600 RPM.

 

[xjaw4]

I believe the kubota low boy and some semi apu gensets use the Kubota z482 which is roughly.5 liter 2 cyl, which is why they run that fast. there are small 1 cyl air cooled diesels by yanmar and others. Everything is a trade off between size weight service life, efficiency etc