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Saturday, January 31, 2009

Diesel Marine Generator - Points To Consider Before Buying

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.

Don't be surprised to find them used in large supermarkets too, as they need large refrigeration units and may need a backup system if grid electricity is unreliable. Basically such a generator will resist a certain amount of water and still operate.

A marine generator is different from a box standard generator in that it has a protective outer casing and individual parts that are more resistant to water.

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.

When it comes to selecting a diesel marine generator you can go down two routes. You can buy a new model or a used model. People are often interested in used models because diesel marine generators are not a cheap piece of equipment and can be out of financial reach of many people.

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.

For instance, some generators may have been dropped into water. This is not good for any generator regardless of whether it was designed for marine use or otherwise. Get a full service history too as this should highlight anything that the owner may be unwilling to mention.

Whether you go for a used or new marine generator, the next consideration is how much power you need from the generator. This depends on the uses you have. If it is used in a large boat that will power plenty of appliances then the wattage that the generator creates will need to be higher. Work out the load that your circumstances require before selecting a marine generator.

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.

Each manufacturer has all sorts of models that fit into different niches. I'd say that the capacity and price will ultimately help you decide which diesel marine generator is for you though. - 16477

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