The Power Behind Your Power Supply
Your “prime mover”
Types of generator systems are usually classified by the
type of “prime mover” or engine that provides mechanical power to the generator
itself. Your choice of engine-type is one of the most important decisions you
will have to make when buying a generator system for your home or business.
Propane, natural gas, gasoline, diesel, biodiesel…?
Fuel type is the main difference between engines. Gasoline
engines are the lowest cost, but they make more noise and wear out faster than
other types. Sommers prefers diesel-fuelled engines or engines that use either
liquid propane (LP) or natural gas. These types offer the best combination of
reliability and lower operating cost.
LP/gas engines are the cleanest running engines and
generally cost less than diesels for standby systems. Diesels are the most
quiet and will outlast all others types - they are usually recommended for
prime power applications or for standby systems that may require prolonged use.
Learn more about the advantages
& disadvantages of different engines here.
Connecting the drives
Your system relies on having a smooth, efficient
connection between the engine and the generator. Manufacturers can choose
between direct-drive couplings, belt drives and gear boxes to make the
connection.
Direct drives are always the first choice for
Sommers systems. Belt drives are simple and inexpensive, but they provide a
less efficient connection and require frequent servicing. Some homeowner
gensets use a geared drive to elevate the nominal output higher on a smaller,
lower cost system. But there’s no such thing as a free lunch! Traditional direct
drives will last longer and provide significant savings in fuel and operating
costs. A direct drive means fewer parts to maintain and repair, too.
Planning your fuel supply
Your choice of fuel will depend largely on availability
and reliability. With natural gas, you avoid the cost of a separate fuel tank
but, in some areas, gas lines may be in jeopardy during times of emergency.
Many homeowners and businesses already have propane tanks on their property for
heating and cooking, which makes it convenient for running a generator, but be
sure the tank has adequate capacity for extended power outages. For diesel
engines, sub-base tanks (with a dual wall design for safety) allow a compact
design. In remote applications, though, a separate standalone tank may be
required to ensure sufficient capacity.
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