Diesel portable generator set
A diesel set in a compact acoustic canopy, chosen where annual run hours are high enough that fuel cost and service interval matter more than purchase price.
Features
- Fuel use per kWh is typically a third lower than an equivalent petrol set, so total cost crosses over after a few hundred run hours.
- Diesel engines tolerate sustained high load better than petrol; the trade-off is roughly double the weight for the same output.
- A bunded or double-skinned base frame contains spills and is increasingly a condition of access on regulated sites.
- Service intervals are counted in engine hours, so a non-resettable hour meter is not optional on a hire unit.
- Cold starting depends on glow plugs or a coolant heater — state the lowest ambient the set will see.
Specifications
| Figure | Typical range | Unit | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rated continuous output | 5.0 - 20.0 | kVA | The all-day figure at site ambient. |
| Fuel consumption at 75 % load | 1.2 - 4.4 | l/h | Comparable between machines, unlike tank size. |
| Sound pressure at 7 m | 63 - 72 | dB(A) | Decides admissibility on restricted sites. |
| Base tank capacity | 20 - 60 | l | With consumption gives run time per fill. |
| Dry weight | 160 - 420 | kg | Above about 250 kg it needs a forklift or hoist. |