Hopefully a quick generator question.

[Caprifool]

Let's say we have three generators, all using different fuel but the exact same size and output. Which generator would be the most economic to run. Diesel, petrol or gas?

[davidb]

a well maintained diesel

[DeanS]

but diesel gennies are more expensive

[blackrose]

but diesel gennies are more expensive

 

Yes, and unless you spend a lot of money on a proper marine diesel generator they are likely to make your ears bleed.

[Taslim]

but diesel gennies are more expensive

 

But seem to live longer.

 

Yes, and unless you spend a lot of money on a proper marine diesel generator they are likely to make your ears bleed.

Try my cheap 2stroke genny. great if you don't like people....and can put up with damp ears.

 

Acoustic baffles are easy and cheap to make though they take space.

[DHutch]

Yes, and unless you spend a lot of money on a proper marine diesel generator they are likely to make your ears bleed.

Doesnt have to be a marine diesal, any well silenced diesal will perform fine. You can get very noisy petrol frame gennys too. There are lots of gensets dotted about here in India, some are prop 'developing country spec' but a lot of very tidy units, cummins, perkins, etc which are the quiet you can walk up to them and struggle to know if there on, literally, even though they are clearly running a load of lights.

 

Normally smaller units (750w-3-4kw) are petrol/gas and then larger (4kw plus) are deisel.

 

How big do you need, do you want portable or build in? Otherwise, how long is string...

 

 

Daniel

[Paul's Nulife4-2]

If your talking Portable Generators,How about a petrol Honda suitcase type,With LPG convertion.Market leaders,cheaper fuel.

If your talking Fitted or Non Portable,I would go for a Diesel,Whisper water cooled type.Can be installed out the way,in eng bay.

However a 230v Eng,Belt driven generator (like a big alternator which fits on your existing boat eng) may, be ok.if you're eng bay is well insulated for noise.& you possibly won't need as much of an output ,as no pwr Will be required for the12v charging,or hot water,as the eng will be doing this in the traditional way anyway,whilst running.+ its saves the maintenance issues & costs associated with yet another engine.& the possible requirement for obtaining,storing different fuels.

Maybe It's not such a quick generator question !.

Worth a thought !

Edited September 22, 2013 by Paul's Nulife4-2

[Caprifool]

Lots of good points. Thank's boys and girls.