A Sensible Choice

Diesel generators are critical to have in emergencies or for use in areas where there is no traditional electricity. Always keep in mind there are safety issues related to the proper use of the generators. Utilizing a diesel generator to power the homestead doesn’t have to be an environmental disaster. A generator can be a very efficient component of your independent energy system. The key is to observe a few basics: make the generator part of the system instead of a sole source of power.

Why use diesel-power instead of gasoline? Unlike gas engines, diesels have no spark plugs to replace, or carburetors to rebuild and service. Diesels generally burn less than half the fuel that gas engines do for the same amount of work. Diesels regularly outlast gas engines ten-to-one. The fuel-efficiency alone is a good reason for a diesel, plus off-road diesel fuel is cheaper than gasoline. It’s also a lot safer to store. It’s flammable, but not explosive like gasoline. And although diesel engines sometimes produce more visible exhaust, it is less toxic than the emissions from a gasoline engine. A well-tuned diesel, by the way, produces no visible exhaust except briefly, under severe load-changes.

The only maintenance generally required is changing the oil and filters for fuel, air, and oil. This much maintenance is the same for a gas engine. What you will not have to encounter is a tune-up. No carburetor adjustments, no distributor or magneto to burn out, and no spark plugs that require periodic cleaning and replacement. As with any internal combustion engine, proper maintenance is essential. Diesels are no exception, and the most important maintenance aspect is the oil change. An oil change every 100 hours of operation is normal operating procedure for a diesel generator, and it will assure a long and trouble-free life. For more information about diesel generators, visit www.depco.com.