 macsierraBaby NewfoundlandPremium
join:2003-11-30
Minden, NV
 ·Charter
| reply to Mr Matt
Re: 35 KVA Natural Gas Generator install said by Mr Matt:  Another advantage is that the fuel tank is incorporated in the base of a diesel generator, which eliminates the cost to install and placement of a propane tank. I checked out a number of suppliers of Diesel Generators and found an company called Affordable Generators. They offer two 30KW models for about $6,500.00 each excluding shipping. That is less than the cost of a Generac generator that runs at 1800 RPM on propane. One has a 52HP Ricardo Straight Diesel Engine and the other a 57HP New Holland Turbo Diesel Engine. Both units include a 100 Gallon Fuel Tank and use the same brush less alternator. Do you have any experience with either engine? Affordable Generators 30 KW $6495.00. The generator head on that 30 KW unit is a TFW LeRoy Somer style single-bearing. Made in China but they are a good unit and a lot of them in use. About $1750 for the 30 KW generator head itself and the link is below. I'm using the TFW 12 KW head on mine.
»www.centralgagenerator.com/gener···pics.php
The motor is a Ricardo Series Engine 4100D which is a short life (for diesel) throw away assembly. You can buy that motor for under $1500. The rest is the enclosure and a 50 gal bottom fuel tank.
Is it worth it? Might be if you are going to run the generator only a few times a year. The Ricardo is not a long life motor. Diesel fuel with additive will last 5 years in a tank and still run with no problem.
The same unit with a better motor will be 3 to 4 k more money. It's just that, you get what you pay for..
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Mr Matt
join:2008-01-29
Eustis, FL
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| My plans are to use the generator for emergency backup only. When I lived in Unincorporated Palm Beach County Florida we were without power for 5 Days and a friend in Fort Lauderdale was without power for 35 Days after one to the hurricanes. I would expect that I would use the generator for no more than 1,000 Hours over the next five years. That would only be in the case where there was an extremely long term power outage. I would hope never to have to use the generator on a continuous basis for more than a week.
The representative from Affordable Generators claims that the Ricardo Engine would have a life approximately 5 times that of the 3,000 hour life that Generac rates their 20KW air cooled propane fueled generator, that I was originally considering. The only generators that Generac offers that meets the 27KW output recommended by the dealer are liquid cooled models that are far more expensive. I have not been able to find a dealer that sells the Affordable Generator equipment in this area. I have lined up an electrician experienced at installing back up generators but unfortunately he has no experiencing servicing or maintaining diesel engines. I have to find a local diesel mechanic capable of servicing the Ricardo Engine.
I probably will live in this house no more than 5 years. As long as the generator is reliable while I own the house I will be satisfied. Affordable Generator also offers the same alternator with a New Holland Engine. Would you know if the New Holland Engine would have a longer life or be easier to find a service technician for, than for the Ricardo Engine? I appreciate your prompt reply. |
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macsierraBaby NewfoundlandPremium
join:2003-11-30
Minden, NV Reviews:
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| said by Mr Matt:The representative from Affordable Generators claims that the Ricardo Engine would have a life approximately 5 times that of the 3,000 hour life that Generac rates their 20KW air cooled propane fueled generator, that I was originally considering. The key word here is "claims". I'd be in serious disagreement with him. 
Both motors are China throw away. That means no replaceable cylinder liners and such so the labor to rebuild one is more cost than a new replacement and thus the term "throw away."
If oil changes are done on time, air cleaner changed, you shouldn't need a factory service tech in the small amount of hours it will be running.
I see the New Holland is turbo charged and the exhaust drive pressure would probably hurt your fuel consumption near sea level in Florida. In higher altitude I'd say turbocharged, but stick with the Ricardo motor in Palm Beach as it's naturally aspirated and should run nice and clean there.
Before I sold some of our equipment we had over 50 various diesel powered machines in the yard. The only foreign diesels I've seen that last were the German and Cummins varieties. One German Duetz 6 cylinder air cooled diesel in a Poclain excavator had over 30,000 hours usage and not even a valve cover had been removed in over 20 years. Just one seal and normal oil & filter changes.
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