Silenced Diesel Generator Wanted - advice please...

[john p]

even just for running that dont buy a cheapy,you will be kicking yourself in approx 10 days (maybe less)! They are very false economy

[confused dude]

Hi everyone

I am looking for a 10 kVA generator, diesel amd extremly silent with very little vibrations.

 

Is there such a thing??

[elfinwood saws]

I run Onan petrol gennys got a 12.5kva that runs at 1000rpm with a 2 liter 4 cylinder Onan engine, it,s so quiet and they are easy to make lpg conversion on. They can be had off ebay cheap.

[gensetsteve]

I run Onan petrol gennys got a 12.5kva that runs at 1000rpm with a 2 liter 4 cylinder Onan engine, it,s so quiet and they are easy to make lpg conversion on. They can be had off ebay cheap.

 

I worked for Onan in 1988 for two years. I still have some manuals in my workshop.

[Justme]

 

1, But its the best available in that size at that price.

 

2, I would imagine you were doing alot of stop starting.

 

 

1, I agree it prob is the best in its price range, just it could be better supported by the importer. None of the failures were fixed under warranty.

 

 

2, Not at all.

 

Normal run times are 6-9 hours straight every 3 to 4 days in winter. In summer it get occasional use but still long run times.

We try to keep the load to about 3/4 of its cont rating.

 

Its now just over 26 months old & has done just over 2400 hours.

 

What do you think needs doing as part of the major overhaul?

 

 

 

I change the oil at half the recommended running hours. Whilst starting is still easy & quick its not quite a sharp as it once was.

[gensetsteve]

I dont tend to sell many small 3000 rpm sets as they are the least quality with the hardest life. Anybody selling these units is up against rubbish from China.

 

I have sold l these sets to standby users and occasional users ie up to 200 hrs a year. Not saying they cant do more its just we make a gross margin of £100 on the sale so cant spend much time on after sales. I would not sell it for burger wagons or people living off grid etc.

 

I remember reading the Yanmar book and its due a full strip and rebuild at about 2000 hrs.

 

If the engines not broke dont fix it. If it was me I would sell it and buy a new one. I would consider spending 4k on a lister 1500 rpm unit. Changing the oil at 50 hrs is an excellent idea as there is only 1.6 litres in there.

 

When I see these small installations I am glad we are into the big stuff.

 

Hope this helps

[benhudson treeworks]

Expert Honda generator repairs and diagnostic advice

 

This is THE generator guru !

[Daniël Bos]

GensetSteve, do you know anything about the countryman generators?

I've acquired some, ex army and though rated to 1.9KVA officially I reckon they'll do a lot more than that as the generator cooling has three filters blocking flow as it was made for powering radar sets in desert conditions?

They're powered by an 8hp kohler magnum.

 

PS, do you know a company called Harath, now Harath Choride?

[Justme]

Ideally I would go for a Lister unit. Problem is I have one neighbour about 250m away that complains about the noise. We did have a similar unit to the Pramac but not in the sound reduction case so was more like 90-100dba @ 7m than the 50 ish for the P6000s. He moaned about that one loads but has never mentioned it since we got the Pramac.

 

I am also looking at a smaller units (2.5kva) that could just run the charger & then use a tractor PTO mounted genny for the occasional big stuff. Or considered DC only units.

[gensetsteve]

GensetSteve, do you know anything about the countryman generators?

I've acquired some, ex army and though rated to 1.9KVA officially I reckon they'll do a lot more than that as the generator cooling has three filters blocking flow as it was made for powering radar sets in desert conditions?

They're powered by an 8hp kohler magnum.

 

PS, do you know a company called Harath, now Harath Choride?

 

Countryman made some good sets. I have had some of these ex army sets with the v twin Vanguard engine rated to 7 kva. They are down rated to provide that output in the worst conditions ie Heat, cold, dust, high altitude. I would have thought you should be able to get 4kva but hard to say without seeing Alternator.

 

Yes I remember Harath they had quite a reputation