Diesel Generators.

The fuel of choice for you generator is largely dependent on whats available and where you intend to use the generator. For portable generators the common fuel is petrol or gasoline depend on which side of the pond you are. Larger generators can use gasoline, diesel, propane or natural gas. Some models also have multi fuel capabilities and run on gasoline, propane or natural gas. The choice of the fuel can have effect on, fuel consumed per kilowatt of power produced, maintenance of the generator and the comparative risk of storing the fuels.

Diesel generators are generally more efficient consuming less fuel per kilowatt of electricity produced and are more fuel-efficient than generators powered by natural gas or gasoline. For every gallon of fuel consumed, diesel generators run 2 or 3 times longer than petrol engines. As they are a simpler engine by design diesel generators as much maintenance, as is perhaps gasoline generators  do and are designed to run continuously for long hours. Most diesel generators come with a water-cooled engine with a speed of 1800rpm. Where as petrol generators are air cooled and run at 3600 rpm. This ensures the engines durability, and at the same time, makes it the most dependable of all the other types of generators.

Unlike gasoline generators, diesel engines are safe as they work on the principle of direct injection and have no spark plugs, which keep them relatively safe from potential fire. As a fuel diesel has a longer shelf life, and being the least flammable source of fuel, can be stored for more than a year.

Diesel is widely available on most garage forecourts and can be conveniently carried in cans. One of the down sides of the diesel engine is it may be harder to start in cold weather; they can emit more smoke and are generally noisier than pertrol generators. Home diesel generators may cost anywhere between $1000 for 4KW to $9000 for a 15 KW depending upon the quality, wattage rating and voltage rating. Diesel generators for industrial use are available in the range of 500KW to 2000KW.