What is the cost of a commercial generator?
Why are some generator brands more expensive?
Should I buy petrol or a diesel generator? What is the difference?
How noisy are large generators?
How do I work out what is the best backup power generator I need?
Why should I buy a used generator?
When preparing your company for an unexpected event, like a power outage, most businesses often underestimate how useful a fully installed automatic generator would be to assist in maintaining normal operations, let alone how effective a used generator could be to apply. There are numerous reasons why many businesses do not purchase a standby generator. The majority relate to the cost of purchase. The common belief is that emergency standby generators can only be purchased from new and are expensive. People are unaware that high-quality used generators can be obtained at typically 50% of the price of new. Many used generators on the market have spent most of their lives in backup applications where they have only ever been run for maintenance purposes.Other reasons include:
- Lower capital outlay – typically half the cost of new
- Lead time – availability of used generators usually means you can buy and install much quicker than buying new, lead times are usually 60% faster than for a new generator.
- As a used generator has already been ‘run in’ it should work straight off the bat.
- Better construction – more often than not an older used generator will be constructed of heavier steel and will be more robust
Are there any regulations that govern emissions?
Could I be accidentally breaking the law due to current regulations?
What else can the user do to mitigate emissions and comply with the legislation?
Fuel quality has changed greatly over the years thereby increasing power output and decreasing its adverse effects on after-treatment devices. Manufacturers continue to look at alternative fuels, innovative fuel systems, and new control strategies to improve the overall efficiency of an engine. Biodiesel has been around for some years, however, it has more recently become a viable option. It is a fuel comprised of methyl/ethyl ester-based oxygenates of fatty acids derived from vegetable oils, animal fats, and typically cooking oils. These fuels are commonly known as Fatty Acid Methyl Esters or FAME. Biofuel / Biodiesel properties are not dissimilar to that of diesel fuel, as opposed to gasoline or gaseous fuels, and so are capable of being used in compression ignition engines such as the diesel engine. Due to certain challenges associated with the fuel (Fuel quality, oxidation stability, contamination, microbe growth, etc), engine manufacturers in the past have been skeptical over the use of 100 percent biodiesel (B100).
Blends of biodiesel with regular diesel are therefore widely used for prime and continuous applications, with B5 and B20 being highly popular in the market depending on the complexity of the engine and the application. The number alongside the letter ‘B’ indicates the percentage of biodiesel in the blend. B5 would have 5 percent biodiesel, B20 would have 20 percent etc. The very latest biodiesel which is commercially available emits lower N0X and S02 than EU Stage V rated engines.

