Lister Petter diesel generators

[mikester]

Ive been trying to make a decision on what do do about backup power for my house. I already have a Generac portable but Im thinking about going with something a little more heavy duty and permanent. I was looking at the Lister Petter diesel generators that are on ebay. They look like theyre pretty well built and come with a 5 year warranty. Anyone own one ?

 

[olytdi]

I can't answer your question (sorry!) but am interested in knowing how you intend to manage the fuel (storage, water, algae, etc.).

 

[HOTFR8]

I have not long had a Lister Petter and find it good. Has not done much work yet but I can see it will be handy in the future. I guess you are looking for something bigger than mine. Lister Petter is a good brand.

If you have other Diesel powered items then fuel going off should not be an issue. What I do is get Diesel fuel from another vehicle.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Is this an Asian engine with a European name?

Charles

 

[mikester]

Im pretty sure theyre from the UK.

 

[mopar01]

They are good engines. We have a moffet at work and it has a lister petter engine in it. They are from Europe or so I was told from my boss.

 

[HOTFR8]

Is this an Asian engine with a European name?

Charles

Im pretty sure theyre from the UK.

They are good engines. We have a moffet at work and it has a lister petter engine in it. They are from Europe or so I was told from my boss.

Copied from the Lister Petter Web site ( http://www.lister-petter.com/ ) >

Lister Petter is based in Gloucestershire in England and has operations in the USA, France, India and China. This gives the company global spread and ensures that you are never too far from our expertise whenever you need diesel or gas engine technology.

Lister Petter has a long and celebrated history in industrial engines. From our roots over 140 years ago to now producing advanced diesel and gas-powered engines for a wide range of applications, we have consistently set the standard in innovation, quality and reliability.

With many millions of our engines built, the range of uses and locations where you will see Lister Petter products around the world is remarkable. At the heart of our success is our continuing focus on producing products that exceed our customers’ expectations with an emphasis on flexible design and reliable operation.

Mine has an Italian made generator.

 

[FunkyfullWidth]

I wanna say that Ingersol rand used these engines in bobcats and/or other construction equiptment. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one if the price was right and it filled the need.

However, I'd call around locally before pulling the trigger on ebay. Try to find a source for parts and service. If the one on ebay has a warranty. How do you go apon getting it. If you have to ship the whole unit to england or god knows where, it may not be worth it.

 

[mikester]

I havent called the place that has them yet. Im trying to find info on my own first. Youre right about the warranty and who is going to fix it. The big problem for me is my location. I live on Long Island. Since Sandy, there arent many generators around.
I plan on asking about service and repairs.

 

[tdkkart]

You want a Lister you want a REAL Lister:
http://www.generatorsales.com/order/Vegetable-Oil-Lister-Generator-6600-Watt.asp?page=L09989

http://diesel-bike.com/Lister_Gen/Lister1.html

 

[mikester]

Thats a little over the top for me ! Im thinking about something like this.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/12-5kw-Dies...Parts_Accessories&hash=item3f1365e297&vxp=mtr

 

[HOTFR8]

Have you looked at the Lister Petter Website and the link I put in in my last post ?

 

[mikester]

Yes I did. Thanks for posting the link. Theres a lot of info in the "Gensets" section. This is a major investment for us. Im trying to get all the info, pros and cons, installation requirements that I can before I make a decision.

 

[HOTFR8]

Yes I did. Thanks for posting the link. Theres a lot of info in the "Gensets" section. This is a major investment for us. Im trying to get all the info, pros and cons, installation requirements that I can before I make a decision.

It also had a listing for dealers so would help you find some one closer to you.
A local Aussie company fits the Italian Gentechs to the Lister Petter Engines so I was happy to deal with Gentech and the Gentech supplier can also service my Lister Petter and they are only 20 minutes away. If need be the local Lister Petter (Aust) Agent is also only an hour from me.

 

[mikester]

I can't answer your question (sorry!) but am interested in knowing how you intend to manage the fuel (storage, water, algae, etc.).

Im not sure how this is going to go but from what Ive been told the fuel shouldnt be an issue. My friends been looking into the same brand generator. From what hes been told these units run very well on #2 fuel oil besides diesel. That being said, I have a 1000 gallon fuel tank at my house that gets filled once a year. I usually burn between 650 to 750 gallons a year to heat my home and I fill it in September. In the 25 years that Ive been in the house Ive never had a problem with my boiler due to the fuel. Ive been told there are additives that you can put in to treat diesel for algae and water but the guy that told me all this also said those problems are more common in the southern part of the country because of the warmer temps.
If anyone has different info please post it. I have no experience with diesel motors so anything and everything is appreciated.

 

[BillK]

Mike,
Do you have natural gas at your house ? If so, I would get a generator that runs on it. That way there is absolutely no problem with fuel storage.

Just another thought,

 

[54stude]

At work I have a big Detroit powered genset, and I really like these units...

Watch this video and decide if a 2-71 powered unit could work for your home, as they seem like a great bargain to me.

http://www.emerson2-71gm.com/Gensets.html

http://www.ebay.com/itm/USED-20-KW-2-71-DETROIT-DIESEL-GENERATOR-/250591593664

http://www.affordablepower.com/

 

[joe_padavano]

I have a friend with a Lister Petter diesel generator, and my father in law had a Lister Petter diesel in his sailboat. The boat engine needed a new injector pump and I was able to get one with no problems from a local diesel supply house. Interestingly, there was a military Lister Petter generator for sale at Fall Carlisle. I should have bought it.

 

[mikester]

Mike,
Do you have natural gas at your house ? If so, I would get a generator that runs on it. That way there is absolutely no problem with fuel storage.

Just another thought,

Nope, no NG on my street. I already use propane for heat in my garage and thats been rather expensisve. Thats why Im looking at diesels.

 

[HOTFR8]

Nope, no NG on my street. I already use propane for heat in my garage and thats been rather expensisve. Thats why Im looking at diesels.

I can understand why as I have no NG here and bottled LPG is expensive. That is why I went Solar as my electricity is also expensive and the Diesel Lister Petter was the best option even better than petrol / gasoline versions.

 

[kbs2244]

If you have a 1000 gal heating oil tank you have what you need for a diesel generator.
Any brand will be better than a big box gas unit.
The lower the RPM the longer the life.
If you are near the water, look into marine gen sets.
You can some times get low hour used ones for cheap when the big buck boys upgrade.

 

[Munchies]

Mep-003A Military surplus genset. Rated by the military at 10kw. Thats every day all day for years on end if need be. You can run it for weeks at 13-14 kw no problem. Runs my whole all electric house at 60% of RATED capacity. Anywhere from $2300-$4000 for an exceptionally new/nice unit.

 

[ixlr8]

I have not long had a Lister Petter and find it good. Has not done much work yet but I can see it will be handy in the future. I guess you are looking for something bigger than mine. Lister Petter is a good brand.

What size is your generator and what did it cost? I am looking for a quality diesel generator in the 5-6Kw range, but I haven't found any pricing on the L-P units.

 

[HOTFR8]

What size is your generator and what did it cost? I am looking for a quality diesel generator in the 5-6Kw range, but I haven't found any pricing on the L-P units.

Price Australian Dollars will not help you much. Mine is 6.8KVA.