You’re probably worried about how to prevent power failures when your usual energy supply fails. The solution? Getting an efficient generator. Two of the most popular generators are run by either gasoline or diesel Generators. While there are other power choices available (natural, solar-powered), gasoline or diesel can do the job when you need a backup power supply.
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Fact: Diesel generators are heavily favored over gasoline generators.
Since its creation, the diesel engine has been reinvented and redeveloped to greatly improve its performance and efficiency, while widening its applications. One of the most common use of a diesel generator is to provide a backup power supply to facilities in case of power interruptions.
We’re sharing 5 reasons why industrial players and even homeowners choose diesel as the best backup power source. Before that, let’s take a look at the two most popular generators to compare.
What is a Gasoline Generator?
A gasoline generator, or a generator using petrol, uses a spark to ignite an engine to power an electric generator to create energy. An internal combustion engine incorporates a combination of fuel and oxygen into a combustion chamber, where a piston compresses the mixture. The fuel is ignited by a spark plug pushing the piston below and turning the crankshaft. A gasoline generator has an average lifespan of around 4000-6000 hours, if well cared for.
What is a Diesel Generator?
A diesel generator is an engine run by diesel fuel to create electricity. Even with the smallest amount of fuel, it is possible for them to provide energy in times of emergency. Diesel fuel is also cheaper, and easier to source than its other fuel counterparts. The generator operates by igniting diesel fuel through compression. Diesel generators were extremely noisy in the past, but thanks to modern technology, can now be run without disturbing the population. If you’re looking for a steady supply of backup power, diesel engines are highly recommended, especially for high loads and heavy-duty operations. The design of the diesel engine makes it possible to run for a long period of time.
Here is the reasons:
5. Diesel vs Gasoline Fuel
Aside from considering the diesel generator set by itself, we have to take a further look into its fuel source first.
What is Diesel Fuel?
Petroleum distillate fuel oil, also known as Diesel is used in machineries that use the compression ignition engine. The word Diesel came from German inventor Rudolf Diesel back in 1892. It is originally made from crude oil which is refined at petroleum factories. Refineries usually create around 10 gallons of diesel from each 40 gallon barrel of crude oil. When it comes to containment, Diesel is actually less prone to fire than Gasoline, making it safe to use.
What is Gasoline?
Like diesel, gasoline is also made from processed petroleum. It is made of organic compounds sourced by the fractional distillation of petroleum, that together with different additives create a highly flammable substance. It also creates sparks that enable internal combustion engines to produce energy to run a variety of equipment. Gasoline is notorious for fire hazards and even explosions. That’s why it is recommended that you use Diesel instead.
Which is better in terms of p?
When it comes to storage, Diesel is actually less flammable than Gasoline. With enough close contact with heat or open flame, it is notoriously flammable and explosive. In this case, diesel is actually a much safer option to prevent any potential disasters.
Diesel also has a long shelf-life. If conditions are good, they can last up to a year without additives. Usually, gasoline only takes up to 3 months at most, without any particular additives. With its shorter shelf-life, it will most likely be used with more frequency and would end up tanking significant costs to the owner.
4. Fuel Efficiency
There’s a simple reason as to why diesel generators are more fuel-efficient than their gasoline-powered counterparts, and that’s because they typically burn less fuel than a gas engine whilst generating the same amount of power.
Taking it into a more detailed perspective, a diesel generator is built heavier as it makes it effective to take up higher compression ratios to ignite its fuel; fuel and air are introduced to the engine separately which allows the engine to work smoothly. Gasoline generators mix fuel and air in a carburetor before compression which reduces its fuel efficiency. This makes the engine run hotter compared to diesel generators and in turn, would deprive its longevity.
3. Noise and Heat
Back in the day, diesel generators did have its reputation of being too noisy for comfort. However contemporary models aren’t and even run as quietly as gasoline-powered ones.
Gasoline generators are even found to produce more noise than their diesel counterpart when running at full blast since the machine especially works harder to produce power. This is exceptionally true for small gasoline generators that produce 3,600 RPM compared to diesel which generates 1,800 RPM.
2. Extended Life Span
A typical diesel-powered generator can run from a minimum of 15,000 hours to 50,000 hours before they require servicing. It’s actually an exceptional range and if say, with 4 hours a day, that would take it up to 14 years before you reach 20,000 hours as long as they are well maintained.
Compared to gasoline engines, they usually take just about 6,000 to 10,000 hours of use before needing any maintenance.
And again, diesel generators burn much cooler than gasoline-powered ones hence they don’t require as much maintenance. Gasoline-powered generators, on the other hand, don’t have the luxury of having a higher lifespan due to the extra heat it produces that wears on its components.
1. Worth the investment value
Obviously, generators are expensive. To industrial business owners or even homeowners, acquiring one is quite a luxury. So looking for the best value in one is paramount. Each factor and component is important especially to industries such as Health Care, Construction, Mining, Manufacturing, and Commercial Operations as it is crucial to the fluidity of their workforce.
Industries that Use Diesel Generators You Will Know
Commercial
For a highly active industry such as a Commercial Industry, it cannot risk financial losses due to power interruptions and energy blackouts. They need a backup especially in challenging situations like power loss. Blackouts mean high loss of earnings, safety risks, and even bankruptcy. That’s why they need to have a backup power supply from a diesel generator to minimize the risks involved.
Factories
Just a small disturbance in production can mean horrors in the manufacturing industry. Imagine countless hours wasted, and products not made because there is no power generated to run the machineries. All operations go into a halt. Schedules get interruptions, they cannot meet targets, raw materials expire, and safety is put at risk. In worse cases, quality is sacrificed leading to disappointed consumers and bigger loss of sales. Having a backup power source such as owning a diesel generator can prevent such cases of blackouts and power interruptions. Protecting factories from severe money, safety, and product loss.
Cellular and Telecommunication Towers
24/7 function, all-day and all-night is crucial in telecommunications. When a comms or cellular site loses power, even for just one second; calls are cut and essential information is lost. A simple reset will not do the job. A backup supply of power is important to prevent these mishaps from happening. Emergency diesel generators provide the needed power to prevent interruptions.
Housing and Building Constructions
Diesel generators are a must in any construction industry. You cannot risk stalling or pausing your buildings just because there is no electricity. It can incur significant costs because each minute of delay still charge as expenses.
Residential Utility
In some situations, such as site maintenance, there can be an occurrence of power interruption in residential areas. Homes, subdivisions, condominiums, and apartments should have enough electricity to provide backup supply while the main source of energy is down. This is where Diesel generators come in. It allows a bit of lee-way for the residents to continue with their daily tasks while waiting for the main source of power to return.
Schools
Imagine a building full of students focusing on their classes. Watching films, or educational material, using their computers to take down notes. When suddenly the power gets interrupted. How can one continue quality education without having a backup power supply? This is where having a quality Diesel Generator is advantageous. It protects security systems from getting breached, prevents unproductive and lazy students, and late schedules. The education system is highly dependent on a steady supply of electricity. Teachers cannot provide education under bad circumstances.
Hospitals & Clinics
Last but not the least, the Healthcare industry. Every person in a hospital or clinic is essential to life. Imagine critical patients, the sick, doctors, nurses, and staff are highly dependent on a steady power supply. Number of lives will be lost in case the electricity supply goes down without any backup. Those with serious conditions, injuries, and in Intensive Care Units are at risk of losing their life. A hospital should always have a generator in case of this kind of emergency.
cause life support machines like oxygen pumps would fail to function with the slightest power failure.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a low-risk, safe, and efficient energy supply to back you up in case of power interruptions, getting a Diesel Generator is the way to go. It offers a lot of pros vs using a gas generator. Cheaper, less flammable, and heavy-duty. From its reliability, longevity, and lower maintenance cost, that’s all the more reason why diesel generators are the best option for you.
