Portable diesel generator suggestions?

[mrutkaus]

Any experience/recommendations on small, under 8kw, portable diesel generators?

There's a big price difference between the Chinese ones (~$900 for 5kw) and others (say ~$2300 for 5kw), is it worth it?

Thanks

Mike

 

[RPW]

It depends on how long you expect to run it. If it's only occasional save your money and get the cheaper one. If you plan on having to run it for extended periods then the investment on a name brand quality generator will pay for itself in the long run. How do you tell? if your power outage or desire to run the generator is less than ~100 hours a year then IMO I'd go with the cheaper generator. And of course you expeience ourtages for days on end then the more expensive model.

Good luck

 

[tnhomestead]

Usually the 1800 rpm ones last a lot longer than the 3600rpm ones.

 

[JB4310]

If you can afford it it's worth it, the chi ones are getting better though as they are of course copying known quality ones, saw some nice 'looking" ones with sound enclosures and all. When I was comparing the 2 I found some chi ones that I couldn't tell them from the brand name one, they even have the smallest detail like labels copied exactly.

Doubt you would be able to get critical parts for them though

4pole (1800 rpm) gensets are gonna be most expensive, as they usually are coupled to multi cylinder liquid cooled engines to help maintain output at the lower RPM's That would be my choice if money was no factor. Any portable is gonna be air cooled 2 pole. There may be some exceptions I think, but not sure in the 5 KW range.