Monday, December 29, 2008

Considerations For Your Next Diesel Marine Generator

By Adrian Fletcher

The purpose of a diesel marine generator is to provide a power source in locations where there is no reliable grid electricity and the location is close to a source of water. So, obviously they are found in marine vehicles like boats and ships and machinery in harbors or ports. however, they are also found in refrigeration plants that may have a lot of water slopping around.

Other uses are in supermarkets or any businesses where the generator may be exposed to water. The idea of course is that it is resistant to water and still operates despite coming into contact with water.

The main differences between a marine generator and a standard generator are the out shell of the generator and the individual parts are designed to be water resistant.

For instance salt water is a catalyst for rust on many items of machinery. A marine generator will be made of sturdy material and will be treated with rust resistant paint. The innards or working parts of the generator are designed to work in environments where the atmosphere will be humid too.

If you are planning to buy a diesel marine generator then you have two options. New or used. Sure, we'd all like a brand shining new generator but they are generally pretty expensive machines so the used option is often a realistic alternative.

People looking for a used option need to research the history of the unit they are buying (even used units can still be expensive). The least you need to know is how long it has be running and what kind of elements it has worked in.

Some marine generators may have been dropped into the sea for example. They may be cheap but that's the reason. This could be a good buy if you can have a proper look at the insides but in most cases it would be one to avoid.

Be it new or used, the next thing to think about is how much power or wattage you will need. A large ship may be hard to gauge as the power needs may go up and down over a few weeks. Run a monitoring exercise over a 3 month period to get a better average. If you are using the generator in a refrigeration plant it may be easier to work out the load you will need.

You also need to select the type of fuel that will run the generator. There are various types, from standard gasoline and diesel to natural gas.

You should look for certain brand names too when it comes to selecting a marine generator. The best brands to go for are Onan, Westerbeke, Kohler, Mase and Fischer Panda marine generators. They have a history and reputation in the industry and produce quality machinery.

These manufacturers have many types and models on the market. They each have their unique selling points but ultimately it is their capacity and price that will probably help you decide which diesel marine generator to get. - 16732

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