The energy supply of private homes and critical infrastructure can depend not only on central communication networks, but also on autonomous stations. The generator is one of the most popular types of equipment in this class. It can be used both as an additional power source, and as a backup installation in case of an accident. This type of gasoline unit is quite common on the market, but diesel generator sets (DGUs) benefit from low fuel costs. There are other differences between these units, but they should be considered separately.
Features of diesel generators
As standard, the generator has an internal combustion engine and an alternator. Unlike gasoline power units, diesel engines provide fuel injection in the form of a fine fraction. Further, in the process of air compression, a multiple increase in pressure and temperature occurs, due to which ignition occurs. For this reason, it is not necessary to include spark plugs and batteries in the design, without which the same gasoline generator sets are not complete. Diesel emits less scale and various impurities in the combustion process, which also contributes to an increase in the service life of parts and an increase in the environmental friendliness of equipment. It is also widely believed that technologically, gasoline technology in all sectors is superior to similar heavy fuel devices. However, in the case of generators, this is not entirely true, since the electronics block of the developed model may include automatic overload protection systems and sensors to monitor current parameters.
Technical Specifications
The main indicator of the health of any generator is power. Diesel units provide the highest power potential, so they are used not only for domestic needs, but also when servicing production shops. The average characteristics of a diesel generator set in terms of power indicators vary from 10 to 20 kW. But you can find models that go beyond this range. For example, to supply a small country house, it will be enough to purchase an 8 kW unit, and to supply large industrial facilities, stations of 32-48 kW are purchased. The next significant characteristic of diesel generator sets is the battery life, which depends on the volume of the fuel tank. For a modest private home, as a rule, there are enough small-sized installations that can continuously operate for 4 hours a day. For more demanding tasks, you can also find generators that provide a 16-hour duty cycle.
Installation of stations
In the room where the generator is planned to be installed, there should be good ventilation, which will ensure the exhaust gas outlet. Fire safety measures should also be taken and the internal elements of the device protected from moisture. It is necessary to place the equipment on a flat and stable surface, since the oil must not leak out during operation. As for the area of the room, the optimal value will be 10-12 m2. This is enough for the installation to be removed from the walls at the required distance. If you purchased a container diesel generator set, then it can be located on the street. Such models are distinguished by the presence of a strong metal frame, as well as mineral wool insulation. The walls and lid of the container act as protection for external influences, but the requirements for structural stability remain the same.
Operational requirements
To ensure optimal performance of the unit, it is necessary to stock up on a small set of consumables and accessories. First, you should provide automation devices and a network unit. In the first case, we can talk about refueling systems, which independently by means of sensors fill the fuel tank. The most advanced stations also provide the ability to control operating parameters through a computer. The network unit, in turn, is required for the automatic transition of the generator from the standby state to the active operation mode. A few minutes after an emergency shutdown of the main power supply, the generator sets begin to supply power. Diesel and oil are also mandatory components, without which the operation of the unit is not complete. It is advisable to use diesel fuel without water and harmful impurities as fuel. A high-quality composition will allow you to extract maximum power from the generator and extend its service life. As for oil, for this type of station, diesel oils are used in compositions of CD or CE.
Nuances of operation in winter
Subject to the installation rules and operating recommendations, you can count on the stable performance of the function by the generator. However, in winter, at freezing temperatures, problems of a different kind are not excluded. The fact is that in cold weather, diesel fuel can thicken, which will not allow activating the operation of the generator. The way out can be the use of fuel heating systems , which are supplied with some generator sets. The diesel engine can also be heated with a construction hairdryer, but only with safety measures. To minimize the risk of fire, preheat in closed containers and with the engine turned off. Avoiding unpleasant situations with difficult start-ups will also be possible with the use of a special brand of fuel. Usually use diesel fuel with additives that prevent crystallization of the liquid at low temperatures.
Maintenance
Compliance with maintenance measures begins during operation. This is expressed in monitoring the operating parameters and identifying uncharacteristic indicators. The operator must always compare the engine speed, oil pressure and temperature with optimal values. After work, it is necessary to check the condition of the filters, the reliability of the connections and the function of the electrical contacts. The frequency of comprehensive maintenance depends on the operating conditions of the equipment. For example, in a dusty room, maintenance of a diesel generator set should be performed every month, subject to regular operation of the equipment. Timely detection of a problem will allow not only to get rid of a local problem, but also increase the service life of the generator’s total engine life.
Installation Repair
Of course, it is better to trust specialists to repair such units, but there are a number of common problems that can be eliminated on your own. This applies to the replacement of the mentioned filters, candles and other components available for dismantling. It is very important to listen to the generator - this will allow you to identify the problem earlier. If there is strong vibration and noise, then most likely there are problems with the engine. In this case, it is advisable to repair the diesel generator sets after a thorough diagnosis. By the way, modern models also provide for a measure of self-diagnosis. Thanks to special indicators with alarms, even an inexperienced user will be able to detect a malfunction and take appropriate measures in time.
Diesel generator manufacturers
One of the leaders in this segment is the French manufacturer SDMO. This company has been operating in the power plant market for decades, which allows it to offer both massive stationary high power plants and portable generator models. The middle class is represented by Latvian developers from the Resanta company. Basically, under this brand, small units with a capacity of 2 to 4 kW come out. If a diesel generator set is required for private needs, it is best to contact Hyundai, Champion and Ranger. The advantages of these stations include high reliability, ergonomics and safety.
Selection recommendations
The main selection criterion should be the optimal combination of the facility’s needs for energy supply and generator power. At the same time, it will be wrong to expect that a high-power unit will satisfy any needs and can act as a universal station. Of course, such models are suitable for the needs of their level, but consumers with minimal demands in this case will overpay. The operation and maintenance of high-power diesel generator sets is not effective if they are used to provide energy to homes and premises with less demand. The unit dimensions should also be calculated. The massive design will provide the necessary power reserve, but it is more difficult to install. Conversely, small mobile stations will not cause problems in content, but can only cover energy for low-demanding users.
Conclusion
The modern market offers many solutions for energy supply tasks. Along with fuel stations, battery devices can also be a good option. But before choosing between alternative offers, you should consider the advantages that traditional generator sets have. Diesel, for example, although it is not the cheapest type of fuel, but in the long run it will become the most profitable source of power for autonomous stations. In addition, diesel fuel does not imply an intense impact on the working elements, which positively affects the operating life of the generator. As for the shortcomings of such generators, they are expensive and have pretty impressive dimensions.