Diesel is synonymous with power in our culture. Big rigs, smoke, and burly truck drivers come to mind, but did you know that this same power is used in generators?

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A commercial or home diesel generator can provide higher efficiencies and improved dependability in certain applications. Our diesel generator buyer’s guide will explain just what makes this fuel so powerful and how to make it work for you.

What is Diesel?

Diesel is a liquid fuel that ignites in an engine by heat and compression instead of spark and is used in various heavy pieces of equipment, like generators.

Compared to gas, diesel is oilier and has a higher boiling rate. By volume, diesel contains between 10-15% more energy, which translates to greater power and efficiency.

How Does a Diesel Engine Work?

A generator diesel engine operates using the same four-stroke principles as a gas engine but differs in the combustion process:

1. Intake Stroke: Air enters the engine cylinder, pushing the piston down.
2. Compression Stroke: As the piston moves back up, it compresses the air.
3. Power Stroke: When the piston reaches the top of the cylinder, a fuel injector injects diesel into the super-compressed air, causing spontaneous combustion (without using a spark plug) which forces the piston down.
4. Exhaust Stroke: The piston moves back to the top of the cylinder, pushing exhaust gases out.

The reason diesel generator engines don’t require a spark plug to ignite the air/fuel mixture is because the air is compressed much more than in a gas engine. The tighter the air is compressed, the hotter it gets.

The level of compression is measured by the compression ratio. An engine compression ratio is the ratio of the maximum to minimum volume in the cylinder. In other words, how much space is in the cylinder when the piston is at the very bottom versus how much space is there when the piston is at the very top.

Most gas engines have compression ratios of between 8:1 and 12:1. Diesel engines have compression ratios as high as 20:1, which compresses the air into such a small space that it becomes hot enough to combust without a spark plug.

The other big difference between gas and diesel engines is in how the fuel is added. In carbureted gasoline engines, the intake valve releases air/fuel into the cylinder as a mixture. Diesel engines, like fuel-injected gas engines, inject the fuel right before the power stroke when the air has been compressed.

Because the air is packed together so tightly at this point, the fuel molecules can react with more oxygen, resulting in more power. This also results in greater fuel efficiency than in a gas engine.

Is Diesel Better than Gas?

With its higher power output and greater efficiency, a diesel generator is better suited for high-demand or remote applications than gas. 

Diesel generators are larger and more robust than gas generators in order to handle the higher power loads. These engines are almost always liquid-cooled rather than air-cooled.

In terms of price, diesel generators tend to cost more, mainly due to their larger, liquid-cooled engines. Less overall maintenance is required for diesel generators, but, when it is required, tends to be more expensive.

Diesel Generators Gas Generators More Power Less Power Higher Fuel Efficiency Lower Fuel Efficiency Larger More Compact Mostly Liquid-Cooled Mostly Air-Cooled Less Overall Maintenance More Overall Maintenance More Expensive Less Expensive

Diesel Commercial Generators

Commercial applications tend to use diesel generators more often than residential ones. They are common in the mining, construction, marine, and telecommunications industries due to their rugged build and power.

The fuel and maintenance savings are also popular among commercial owners, who often put their generators under the strain of heavy, long-term use. A diesel generator is the undisputed better option for commercial applications.

Home Diesel Generators

Although much less common, home standby diesel generators can benefit homeowners for all the same reasons. 

Homeowners have often stayed away from diesel because they associate it with toxicity and noise. However, newer diesel engines are becoming quieter, and their toxic emissions are comparable to those of gasoline.

Diesel is also less flammable than gasoline and safer to store. During emergency situations like hurricanes or earthquakes, diesel may also be easier to obtain--and that's when you would need your generator the most.

Finally, remote homeowners who aren't connected to a natural gas line might need a diesel generator. There are even smaller units for those who would like a portable diesel generator, such as hunters in a lodge.

Power in Your Hands

Diesel generators give you more available power to get the job done, and you don't even have to be a truck driver.

If you have any questions about picking a diesel generator, please give us a call at 1 (800) 800-.

Backup Generators: Why Pick Diesel?

When it comes to backup power solutions for businesses and facilities, industrial backup generators are one of the most commonly used solutions available in the market. Backup generators come in both standby (stationary) and rental style (portable) form factors that provide flexible backup power options for customers in need across various different industries. These backup generators most commonly come in handy in events of power outages due to natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, wildfires, and even man made disasters that interrupt power from the main utility grid. Backup generators are not limited to just being used in situations such as disaster response and disaster recovery, but can be useful in situations such as rolling brownouts and blackouts, as well as times when service or upgrades are being made to the main utility where steady, reliable power is unavailable.

There are two main options and one sub-option when it comes to a backup generators. The main options are diesel and natural gas, with some natural gas generators being able to be converted to run off of propane. Each generator and applicable fuel type have their own advantages and disadvantages, but diesel generators are known to be a little more versatile when it comes to practical use and application.

Overview

So what makes diesel generators such a robust solution? Diesel generators are one of the most commonly used backup generator used in the industry for multiple reasons. Industrial diesel generators are built with more sturdy materials and designed to run over long periods of time when compared to smaller residential style generators. These diesel generators can also be purchased in different power configurations to run only in standby (when you only need backup power during emergencies and power outages), prime (which the generator will act as your main power source), and portable (rental style generators often serving as the main power source for off-grid projects for facilities that cannot accommodate the installation of a stationary backup generator) options.

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Advantages

While it might be obvious, diesel generators run off diesel fuel. Diesel fuel is known for its high stability, being less flammable than gas, and has a greater energy density to volume ratio. In general, diesel generators often tend to burn less than half the amount of fuel when compared to their natural gas counterparts and can still achieve the same amount of work output. Adding to the fact that newer diesel generators are becoming increasingly more fuel efficient allows you to get more for less when it comes to fuel consumption. When it comes to scenarios such as preparing for inclement weather or natural disasters, it’s important to note fuel storage and management. Most diesel generators are either mounted to a diesel base tank or connected to a larger diesel fuel tank, but when preparing for prolonged runtime of a diesel generator, it’s possible to store additional diesel fuel on site via portable modular diesel fuel tanks. This allows you to operate the diesel generator for long periods of time beyond its base capacity. When comparing fuel supply via natural gas generators, the natural gas utility is often one of the first things turned off to prevent dangerous gas leaks, fires, or combustion which would leave a natural gas generator inoperable.

Reliability is another key factor when it comes to diesel generators. One of the main core components when it comes to a diesel generator is the engine. The engine is a high power diesel engine that provides the driving force to start the process in generating energy. Newer diesel generator engines these days tend to require less maintenance when compared to their natural gas generator counterparts. One of the big reasons is due to the way the engines operate. While diesel generator engines use compression ignition for igniting fuel, natural gas generators rely on spark plugs and spark ignition in order to ignite fuel. By removing the need to regularly maintain spark plugs, associated wires, and hoses (cracks and pinholes can be dangerous and must be inspected/replaced regularly as needed) can result in lower overall maintenance costs.

Longevity is a factor that is considered more in the long-term when evaluating both diesel generators and natural gas generators. While both types of industrial generators are robust and dependable backup power solutions, diesel generators can operate for longer periods of time than natural gas generators before requiring maintenance. One of the biggest reasons for this is because natural gas generators tend to run hotter than diesel generators, which can significantly impact both the operation time and lifespan of a natural gas generator. While this may be an item to worry about down the line, it’s a good to keep this in mind when making your purchase.

A majority of portable generators (also known as rental style generators) are diesel generators mounted to a double-axle trailer with an on board diesel base tank that provides an all-in-one backup power solutions package on the go. As with stationary diesel generators, a portable diesel generator can run off the fuel within its diesel base tank and also run off diesel fuel stored in a modular diesel fuel tank. This allows for operation in many different applications across various industries, as the generator can be moved from site to site and location to location during a project. This also benefits businesses and facilities that cannot install a stationary generator due to either cost or space restrictions, but require backup power. Portable generators can be delivered on-site and removed once power is restored to the main utility grid.

Disadvantages

While having the ability to store additional diesel fuel on-site means that you can run the diesel generator for longer, in prolonged applications – this can be a major problem. When running a diesel generator for a longer than anticipated period of time, it’s important to ensure that the fuel supply is replenished. This means that not only will you need staff on-site to refuel the generator, but they will also have to make sure that diesel fuel deliveries make it on time. It’s important to prepare a contingency plan on who will be keeping the diesel generator properly fueled and that a diesel fuel delivery service is able to make it when you need it. This could be challenging in situations such as hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, blizzards, and other bouts of inclement weather. For this sole reason, this is one of the biggest disadvantages when compared to natural gas generators. With natural gas generators, as long as the gas supply to the pipeline is not cut off, a natural gas generator will have a steady supply of fuel to run continuously in events like a power outage.

With emissions regulations becoming increasingly more stringent, diesel generators are still at a disadvantage. Even though newer diesel generators run much cleaner when compared to the diesel generators of old, they still produce a thick, smoky, strong smelling exhaust. These emissions produced are toxic to both humans and animals and can even be fatal when inhaled in large quantities over a prolonged period of time. When installing a backup diesel generator, it’s important to either install the unit outside away from the facility within a weatherproof or sound-attenuated enclosure or if installing indoors, then properly set up a designated generator room that is equipped with a sufficient exhaust system that can safely funnel emissions outside without exposing employees and other tenants within the building to these harmful emissions.

Industrial generators produce noise and lots of it. While this is the case for both diesel generators and natural gas generators, diesel generators tend to be extra loud. While this may not be a concern if a diesel generator is installed outside in a spacious suburban or rural location, it could definitely pose a problem in an urban location. Diesel generators especially can produce extremely loud noise levels at high decibels that can cause headaches or even damage human eardrums when exposed to it. While installing a sound-attenuated enclosure may help reduce the overall noise, it may still be loud enough to bother those around you. If a diesel generator is installed in a designated generator room, it’s important to pick a location that prevents the noise and vibrations produced by the generator from negatively affecting your employees and tenants within the facility. This is why it’s important to work with a consultant to help you best select the best installation location who can also provide guidance to ensure any required guidelines are followed to ensure not only the safe and proper installation of your backup generator, but also the safety of your employees.

Conclusion

Diesel generators and natural gas generators are both great solutions when looking into backup power solutions with each having their own advantages and disadvantages. While either generator is not a “one-size fits all”, it all comes down to your needs and what you’re looking for in a backup generator for your business or facility. Though they both have their own drawbacks, a backup generator is one of the most commonly chosen solution across many different industries for a reason. Be sure to assess your needs and gather as much information as possible before making your decision.

If you’re looking to find out more on diesel generators or looking to purchase a generator for your business or facility, please reach out to us at Woodstock Power Company!

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THE WOODSTOCK POWER COMPANY EXPERIENCE

We have industry experts that focus on commercial generator sets, with in-depth industry knowledge to help you choose the right generator that fits your needs.

We are industry leaders in buying and selling used generators to fit the needs of many businesses, including commercial, industrial, medical, agricultural, and university. This includes facilities like hospitals, better living centers, nursing home, airports, hotels, resorts, restaurants, retail centers, manufacturing, production, and more.

Our experts are ready to assist you from answering any questions you may have about power generator sets to helping you find the best selection in our inventory based on:

• Peak & Average Power Requirements
• Fuel Preference (Natural Gas or Diesel)
• Portability & Stationary Power
• Prime & Standby Generator Requirements
• Available Space & Exhaust Restrictions

We carry only the most top rated new, used, and surplus power generator sets for sale, providing you with a great value generator that will fit your budget.

Our generators have been thoroughly inspected, serviced, and verified, which ensures that you will be buying a quality generator that you can depend on. If a generator is not up to par with industry standards, we make all necessary repairs or modifications, and fully test every generator before we sell. This ensures a full turnkey generator that’s ready to fire up and go!

Due to our wide selection of generator sets, we’re confident that we can find the model that best suits your operational needs and budget.

We also buy used generators in good quality, if you have already upgraded and you’re looking to sell your older model.

Feel free to contact us with any questions, concerns, or inquiries to learn more about the Woodstock Power Company experience and the quality level of products & services we provide.

The company is the world’s best New Diesel Generator supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.