Which generator is better (for a private house): gasoline or diesel generator

Interruptions with electricity or its absence in a country house, village or cottage can be solved by buying and installing a generator. This is a small station for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy. In this case, the question of choosing between gasoline and diesel installations immediately arises.

Take into account such factors:

• Mode of operation.
• Operating conditions.
• The properties of the fuel.
• Economic indicators.

Operation mode of the generator

A distinction is made between permanent, standby and emergency modes. This depends on the presence or quality of the stationary mains voltage supplied.

If it is not possible to connect the mains voltage to the site, or there is no connection at the initial stage of construction of the house, homeowners purchase a power generator for permanent operation mode. This requires from the device such qualities as:

• Reliability.
• The ability to operate continuously for long periods of time.
• Motor life.
• The cost of 1 kWh of generated energy.

Continuous mode is also necessary when deciding not to run the power line at all. Standby mode implies running the generator for a short period of time. These are cases of poor quality voltage or its drop, as well as exceeding the consumed power over the allowable grid power.

In emergency mode, the generator is started for a short period of time. It can be a short-term interruption of voltage supply. It is also possible to use the generator in tandem with uninterruptible power supplies. During a power outage, the generator is turned on only after discharging the batteries and works until they are recharged or the mains voltage appears. The required working time of 2-8 hours is not more than 4 times a week, so no special attention should be paid to the motor resource and economy factors.

Operating conditions of generators

Diesel engines:

• Do not need to start and shut down frequently, they are designed for constant operation under load, and not less than 30% of rated power.
• In cold weather, they need fuel heating or the use of special additives.
• Generators without a shroud produce a noise level of 79 dB. A noise-absorbing casing is able to reduce the sound level to 69 dB. This is comparable to the performance of gasoline-powered units.

Gasoline engines make less noise, are easier to start, can be started frequently, and operate efficiently even at sub-zero temperatures. A gasoline generator is a good option as a backup or emergency source. It should be borne in mind the disadvantages of such devices:

• Fire hazard.
• The need to equip additionally such systems as: ventilation, fire extinguishing, gas trap.
• Limited time of action.

Properties of fuel and the operation of generators

Gasoline in the generator should be changed once a month. And in order to guarantee to start the device at any time, it is necessary to run it monthly for half an hour in the mode of nominal load. Diesel does not age for 6 months, but requires special care in winter.

What to choose: diesel or gasoline generator

For a constant mode, when you need to ensure a continuous power supply, a diesel generator 1500 rpm is preferred. It has a long motor resource, water-cooled models are capable of round-the-clock use. Gasoline devices are not designed for such a long period of operation.

As an emergency power source, you can choose gasoline engines. It should be remembered that their operating time is limited, the devices are able to work only a few hours a day. However, among gasoline models, inverter devices are available. Such generators can produce a current with more stable indicators.

For backup power supply, diesel generators 3000 rpm with a motor resource from 7000 to 10000 motor hours are suitable. There are models equipped with a built-in automation unit. When the power in the network is lost, the generator will start automatically.