Dentmanaustin
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Just trying to find out which is better gas 10000 or diesel 8000
Generator? Gas or diesel
- Thread starter Dentmanaustin
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ishiboo
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You need about 10,000 more details.
Like most things, a quality gas generator is better than a cheap diesel generator. Diesel is easier to keep, safer (CO and flammability), more power, etc. But it's also more expensive. A 8KW diesel is likely to be one of those cheap "silent" Chinese units with screaming 3600RPM engines and junky parts.
Like most things, a quality gas generator is better than a cheap diesel generator. Diesel is easier to keep, safer (CO and flammability), more power, etc. But it's also more expensive. A 8KW diesel is likely to be one of those cheap "silent" Chinese units with screaming 3600RPM engines and junky parts.
OP
Dentmanaustin
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The 2 I'm looking at are Falcon. Model # are 10000 for gas and 8000 for diesel. I will be using them for general use around shop and farm. List prices are 1990.00 for gas and 6890 for diesel. I could get gas for 1500 and diesel for 5000. I don't mind either price I just want to make the right decision on which will last longer and give better service. I like to buy once and done
Steven67fr
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This^^^ Diesel always hurts - but every time I go with it (car, truck, generator, etc.) I'm always glad I did 10 years down the road.G_P
Well-known member
Diesel. But only if it is an 1800rpm model. As stated above the cheap diesels are going to be 3600rpm noisemakers.
Depends on purpose (portable or fixed) . . . . depends on fuel available . . . . depends on expected runtime . . . . . depends on desire to have QUIET genset . . . yada, yada, yada.
Which ever you get, LOW RPM is good thing = = = = chance at "quiet" genset.
You want rock solid reliable 24/7 operation, then go Military Diesel genset that has proven it can run 3 weeks straight in the desert !! However, these take much more knowledge, handling and space (they're BIG).
OP . . . in general, too little information provided.
Overall, I'd rank them Diesel, Natural Gas, Propane, then Gasoline - - - - thus, I'd only even consider gasoline as last resort, AND, if then only if low rpm.
Which ever you get, LOW RPM is good thing = = = = chance at "quiet" genset.
You want rock solid reliable 24/7 operation, then go Military Diesel genset that has proven it can run 3 weeks straight in the desert !! However, these take much more knowledge, handling and space (they're BIG).
OP . . . in general, too little information provided.
Overall, I'd rank them Diesel, Natural Gas, Propane, then Gasoline - - - - thus, I'd only even consider gasoline as last resort, AND, if then only if low rpm.
Spudland_Dave
Well-known member
Diesel...
I got a Kubota 60k Generator, love it.
I got a Kubota 60k Generator, love it.
Stuart in MN
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Here's the Falcon website for those who are curious: http://www.falcongenerator.com/ It appears the gas model 10000 is rated at 8kw continuous, while the diesel is somewhere between 3kw and 6.6kw depending on the model. So, you're comparing apples and oranges. First figure out how much capacity you need and then go from there.
firebox40dash5
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To be fair, Kubota's 7kw and I think even 11kw Lowboys are both 3600rpm.
Do NOT buy one of those Chinese diesels. Pure. Junk. There was one with 7 hours on it and a rod through the block last time I visited my small engine guy. He said he was having a hell of a time finding parts for it, not to mention the 'why bother' factor. I hate paying $4 an hour to run my gasser, how does $300 an hour sound?
Alchymist
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Put another 3 grand with your diesel price and get real bang for the buck - not only generator, but they throw in a welder:
http://www.millerwelds.com/products/enginedriven/product.php?model=M02810
http://www.millerwelds.com/products/enginedriven/product.php?model=M02810
ishiboo
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To be fair, Kubota's 7kw and I think even 11kw Lowboys are both 3600rpm.
Do NOT buy one of those Chinese diesels. Pure. Junk. There was one with 7 hours on it and a rod through the block last time I visited my small engine guy. He said he was having a hell of a time finding parts for it, not to mention the 'why bother' factor. I hate paying $4 an hour to run my gasser, how does $300 an hour sound?
A QUALITY small diesel is likely to be 3600RPM, once you get into the bigger units you'll see 1800RPM units becoming more common, until they get too big for even 1800RPM
Yes, a Kubota 7kw would be a nice generator... for 5x the price of the diesel he posted.$2000 is way too much money for a 10k unit from a nameless Chinese brand. Figure out what you need - a 8k running from Generac, Briggs (ie Troy-Bilt), etc. will be a good option for you. Parts are available and anyone can service them.
For "general use" really doesn't help with your load requirements. To me one of the best values right now is the HF Predator 8k... with coupon you can pick it up for $499. Honda clone, parts are available and when it dies you can replace it a couple times. If you plan on putting a ton of hours on it get their warranty.
shooting4life
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Personally I would go with propane because the fuel can be stored indefinitely and is easily portable.
chris142
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Does anybody make an inexpensive diesel or propane generator? My gas always goes bad no matter if I drained it leave it full it goes bad and takes the carburetor with it. I cannot get pure gas here
ishiboo
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Generac has a 3kw sold at Lowes that runs on propane. Other common gas units can be converted.
Provincial
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If you have the room, keep your eye out for a used light tower that is used on construction sites. These have 5-8kw generators that are built to run all night, every night, for months. They use industrial 1800 RPM diesels and decent generator heads. Look for one with a Marathon "Pancake" generator - they are the best! They often have one leg set up for a 120V receptecle, and a second receptecle can be added to the other leg to balance the load and more available power. I have one that I use for a back-up generator. It kept my lights going and refrigerator/freezer going for 10 days after a big storm one time.
I see them for sale sometimes without the lights and tower. Sometimes they want to sell the generator unit (which is usually mounted on a subframe with engine, generator , radiator and sometimes the control box in one unit) alone because they want to convert the trailer for another use. The lights can be sold off if you want to trim it down to a compact trailer unit.
I have bought complete, good-running units for as little as $2,000, and have seen running units without lights for $1,500. Many dealers sell low-hour units in the $3,500 range.
I bought one Magnum unit to use as a light tower that I plugged into the electrical system of my rock crusher to light up the area for night operations. I installed a transfer switch just like a back-up generator and hooked up the "commercial power" side to a long cord to the rock crusher system. Since the engine didn't run, I paid $500 for it. I found that the Italian-made generator had bad exciter capacitors that the manufacturer replaced for free because they stood behind their product regardless of warranty (how's that for being stand-up guys), which got it working well. The engine had been cannibalized for the water pump, but after replacing the pump it runs great! My guess is that the prior owner stole the pump off it when the generator quit and never tried to fix it.
I see them for sale sometimes without the lights and tower. Sometimes they want to sell the generator unit (which is usually mounted on a subframe with engine, generator , radiator and sometimes the control box in one unit) alone because they want to convert the trailer for another use. The lights can be sold off if you want to trim it down to a compact trailer unit.
I have bought complete, good-running units for as little as $2,000, and have seen running units without lights for $1,500. Many dealers sell low-hour units in the $3,500 range.
I bought one Magnum unit to use as a light tower that I plugged into the electrical system of my rock crusher to light up the area for night operations. I installed a transfer switch just like a back-up generator and hooked up the "commercial power" side to a long cord to the rock crusher system. Since the engine didn't run, I paid $500 for it. I found that the Italian-made generator had bad exciter capacitors that the manufacturer replaced for free because they stood behind their product regardless of warranty (how's that for being stand-up guys), which got it working well. The engine had been cannibalized for the water pump, but after replacing the pump it runs great! My guess is that the prior owner stole the pump off it when the generator quit and never tried to fix it.
fatfillup
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Given all the quality question comments on cheap units, speed and such, I would buy a Honda brand generator and you will be happy. Pricey yes, but will last and last IMO.
jakemac
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I've had a gas powered Generac for 6 years that only gets used once or twice a year, and have never had a problem with it. It still starts on the first or second pull (assuming I remember to turn the switch on).
mrjaw14
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The only comments I'll make are:
1: diesel anything will outlast a gas engine. diesel is a lubricant, gasoline is a solvent. BUT if this is for emergency use during a disaster you need to think about which fuel is more readily available. You can siphon gas out of almost any car, but diesel might be hard to come by unless you have other diesel machines and a store of diesel.
2. Plan your usage and size accordingly. generator run times are often at half load. Take this into account.
1: diesel anything will outlast a gas engine. diesel is a lubricant, gasoline is a solvent. BUT if this is for emergency use during a disaster you need to think about which fuel is more readily available. You can siphon gas out of almost any car, but diesel might be hard to come by unless you have other diesel machines and a store of diesel.
2. Plan your usage and size accordingly. generator run times are often at half load. Take this into account.
If on the farm, have you considered a PTO generator to fit the tractor?
lg
no neat sig line
Snapped-off
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Another 3-4k will get you a compressor
. Air n Arc 300 I think the gas model lists at 10-12k, diesel at 14-15k.theoldwizard1
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3600 rpm !
theoldwizard1
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Now we are talking !
Miller Big Blue 300 Pro. Cat 3 cylinder. 21 hp 10kw/12kw continuous/peak 1850 RPM
Miller Big Blue 300 Pro. Cat 3 cylinder. 21 hp 10kw/12kw continuous/peak 1850 RPM
Last edited:
3xpendable
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Scout Driver
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This right here^^^. You will always be dealing with a familiar engine that has probably recently been run. If the tractor is a diesel, it will also probably be used enough to have proper winter fuel in it if the weather is cold.
Scott
p_mori7
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THIS !
The diesel unit you are looking at costs $5K to produce 8000W peak.
A PTO driven generator of the same price will give you 20,000W or more...
G_P
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Stay away from gas they have to be run at least two hours a month to save carb
Any generator should be run periodically. Kinda ***** when you dig out the genset you have not touched in over a year only to find out it wont start or wont put out power even if it does run.
There is a municipal pumphouse 3 houses up from me and it has an ENORMOUS propane genset and it runs for about 3 hours every tuesday.
R.Anderson
Well-known member
The one in my trailer is a older 8000 watt propane Generac with 25Hp BS engine. I like the idea of having no problems storing it for long periods of time or starting it in cold weather.
I work on Diesel Generators and Light towers all day long (our family owns a Dealership) from 5kW to 2 megawatt. For the price your looking at youd be much happier finding a low hour Magnum, MQ, Hi-Power, or Atlas Copco/Chicago Pneumatic (exact same thing) unit. They will all be 1800 RPM units. I regularly see these things with 18,000 hours on them and usually they are in our shop because someone did something stupid to it or hadn't serviced it in 3000 hours. Keep the oil and fuel filters changed every 400 hours and you'll get something that will probably outlast you.
As for the welders our F-650 service trucks has Miller Bobcat 250's with 11kw generators in them and for the hell of it one night we hooked it up to my brother in laws house using the unit on his truck and it ran the entire house with no problems at all. We had all the lights on, AC unit pumping, tv's on everything and it ran just fine. If it can run a 3000sqft house it can probably run most stuff you want to do with it.
I dont know if im allowed to post it here or not if i cant I apologize ill gladly edit it out but we have about 10-12 10KW MQ generators out in our yard for sale right now. If your interested just pm me and ill ask my wife what we are asking for them. I have no clue because i stay on the service side. Anything that has to do with quickbooks i want nothing to do with lol.
As for the welders our F-650 service trucks has Miller Bobcat 250's with 11kw generators in them and for the hell of it one night we hooked it up to my brother in laws house using the unit on his truck and it ran the entire house with no problems at all. We had all the lights on, AC unit pumping, tv's on everything and it ran just fine. If it can run a 3000sqft house it can probably run most stuff you want to do with it.
I dont know if im allowed to post it here or not if i cant I apologize ill gladly edit it out but we have about 10-12 10KW MQ generators out in our yard for sale right now. If your interested just pm me and ill ask my wife what we are asking for them. I have no clue because i stay on the service side. Anything that has to do with quickbooks i want nothing to do with lol.
jawnd393
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Needs vary. My generator is lucky it see 6 hours of use a year. I get along fine on under $500 gas generators. I have about 10 years on a Homelite 4400 watt, The only thing I've done to it is clean the recoil start clutch cus it slipping. I have Mcculloch 5700 watt that's only been used a couple times. It was on sale for about $277. I always shut off the gas and run the carburetor dry before putting it away and squirt some fuel stabilizer in the gas.
firebox40dash5
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D-series are great engines. I've got one in a mower with I think about 1800 hours before the meter quit who knows how long ago. My aunt & uncle have another mower with probably that many hours, if not more... I swear they mow almost every day during summer.
I'm sure all those Bobcats on service trucks are junk because of their engine RPM.
ishiboo
Well-known member
The Isuzu-powered 25kw MQ is a dream... Runs for 20k hours, quiet & fuel efficient. You can pick one up on a trailer for under 10k. That's not a bad idea.
We've got 4 of those in the yard right now they are so quiet its almost unreal. You could have one in your driveway in the middle of a neighborhood and none of your neighbors would ever hear it running. Heck you wont even hear it running if you get 10ft away from it. Ive contemplated bringing one home because it would be alot quieter then running my welder if i need it not to mention more powerful.
Hyster Gareth
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I would think you are better off in the long run with a Diesel.
You may want to take a look at CAT/Perkins. Another option would be Kubota. If I had a choice it would be a Gardner diesel genset which are bulletproof!
You may want to take a look at CAT/Perkins. Another option would be Kubota. If I had a choice it would be a Gardner diesel genset which are bulletproof!
OP
Dentmanaustin
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just wanted to say thanks for the input and advise, I knew this would be the place to ask.
honcho
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Figure out how you want to use a generator first. Your requirements and budget will dictate what will work and constrain your choices.
Intended Usage?
If you need a back-up generator for emergencies or other short-term use, a gasoline generator is ok but remember, you need to have a source of fuel and a way to store it. If the power is out, then likely most gas stations won't have electricity to pump and sell fuel--if they have any to sell. Is Natural Gas or Propane an option? Propane is a great fuel as it can be stored for long periods of time without deterioration and runs clean. Natural gas is a clean fuel as well, but if considering using NG during emergencies, natural gas service might be interrupted too. There are tri-fuel (gasoline, ng, propane) models available which would give you flexibility but they may not meet your other requirements.
Fixed, mobile or portable
Fixed permanent installation frees you from worrying about how much the unit weighs. Mobile units include those like the towable units that are part of light towers (like the ones highway and utility crews use to work at night) When I use the term portable, I'm thinking of those units that can might have wheels to move them about but can be lifted in the bed of a truck or back of a van by a couple of strong people.
Air-cooled or Water-Cooled?
Water cooled small gasoline generators aren't too common, but water cooled engines are generally quieter and have better longevity than air-cooled engines. I have less experience with air-cooled diesel engines. That's a generalization, but in my experience, it is true.
1800rpm or 3600rpm diesel?
If you choose diesel, I believe 1800rpm (or 1500rpm if you need 50hz power) is better over the higher speed alternatives. Quieter and longer life. This is really a question just for the diesel option as I don't think I've ever seen a 1800rpm gasoline generator.
Intended Usage?
If you need a back-up generator for emergencies or other short-term use, a gasoline generator is ok but remember, you need to have a source of fuel and a way to store it. If the power is out, then likely most gas stations won't have electricity to pump and sell fuel--if they have any to sell. Is Natural Gas or Propane an option? Propane is a great fuel as it can be stored for long periods of time without deterioration and runs clean. Natural gas is a clean fuel as well, but if considering using NG during emergencies, natural gas service might be interrupted too. There are tri-fuel (gasoline, ng, propane) models available which would give you flexibility but they may not meet your other requirements.
Fixed, mobile or portable
Fixed permanent installation frees you from worrying about how much the unit weighs. Mobile units include those like the towable units that are part of light towers (like the ones highway and utility crews use to work at night) When I use the term portable, I'm thinking of those units that can might have wheels to move them about but can be lifted in the bed of a truck or back of a van by a couple of strong people.
Air-cooled or Water-Cooled?
Water cooled small gasoline generators aren't too common, but water cooled engines are generally quieter and have better longevity than air-cooled engines. I have less experience with air-cooled diesel engines. That's a generalization, but in my experience, it is true.
1800rpm or 3600rpm diesel?
If you choose diesel, I believe 1800rpm (or 1500rpm if you need 50hz power) is better over the higher speed alternatives. Quieter and longer life. This is really a question just for the diesel option as I don't think I've ever seen a 1800rpm gasoline generator.