Diesel Generator

[Jeffrey68]

Straight up,

What is the smallest Diesel Generator our there? All I can find is around the 3.5kw generators. I'm looking for something smaller. For when I need that extra little power supply. I own a gasoline generator. And its only 1000w. Its pretty amazing for what it is but I am trying to convert everything to diesel. I would love to find something let alone find someone who owns and operates one to find out its worth.

 

[Haf-E]

Not much out there - I looked for a while - even in China ans Australian when I was there. The cost of building a small diesel engine that can last is just too expensive compared to a small spark ignition engine. Everything I found was very noisy and poorly made junk.

The subaru-robins is a common one and uses a Hatz diesel engine - smallest is 3300 watts though if I remember correctly - seems decent but still very noisy.

http://www.electricgeneratorsdirect.com/Subaru-RGD3300H-Portable-Generator/p1896.html

 

[Haf-E]

Did a quick check and found this one - military surplus 2.0 kW.

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

interesting... Uses a Yanmar Diesel engine (3.6 HP) which has parts available for them from lots of sources.

Not sure of how noisy it would be...

 

[Haf-E]

Found a spec - 79 dBA @ 7 meters (23 ft)

Here is the manufacturer's spec sheet:

http://cdn.greenmountaingenerators....tary-Diesel-Generator-Specification-Sheet.pdf

 

[live2travel photography]

I have 3k military generators go up for sale around me every now and then. if you are interested shoot me a PM and I'll see if I can get the specs for ya,

 

[dwh]

Not sure of how noisy it would be...

Painted on the frame along the side on the top rail, it says, "CAUTION HEARING PROTECTION REQUIRED WITHIN 13 FEET". On the top end rail it says, "CAUTION HEARING HAZARD".

 

[Jeffrey68]

this is crazy. I would have thought something was out there lower then 3000. And I know the military one is 2000 but its way to loud for my use. I don't plan on using the generator that much. If anyone ever finds something small please feel free to post it up here. I would really love to stick with the diesel only theme.

 

[dwh]

I think you're just out of luck on this one. I've seen the Chinese inverter gens in diesel, but pretty sure 3kw is the smallest I've seen.

About the only other option I know of, are the diesel fuel-cell units - such as used in the Kimberley Kampers (EDIT: Which I now see actually use methanol):

http://www.kimberleykampers.com/fuel-cell-in-a-kimberley


But I'm pretty sure you have to buy the fuel pre-packaged from the manufacturer - can't just toss in any old diesel fuel.

Well...might be able to use off the shelf pump diesel in a Merlin unit...:

http://www.merlinpowersystems.com/solutions/fuel-cell-power/

 

[Jeffrey68]

Yes you do. Its from a company called EFOY. They sell them here in my home town and they are pretty impressive. But I don't know if I want to go that way since they dont produce much electricity. They are more to compliment your system already in place. The nice part is if you don't go electric hungry and have solar installed. These systems can run on one tank and last over a month long. And they will give your batteries a longer life cycle also.

As per the merlinpowersystems. I wouldn't trust them just yet. Any website that says I have to call them to buy the product is not worth it in my books. If you don't have your stuff at a dealer or for sale on your site you are just a bit sketchy to me.

 

[dwh]

If you don't have your stuff at a dealer or for sale on your site you are just a bit sketchy to me.

Or - primarily deal in quantity wholesale, not individual retail.