Diesel vs Propane Gensets

[slomotion]

Living up here in Maine we have our share of power outages during storms. Three or four years ago everyone was satisfied with a portable genset, but things are changing and now everyone has an automatic built-in generator that's driven by propane. Throughout the area these gensets, propane tanks, and electrical hookups have run between $6K and $7.5K depending on the generators KW rating and the size of the propane tank.
So, I've been studying up on the different ways I can go on this being the last household still in portable mode. There is something to be said for the automatic start and load transfer particularly if you're out of town when the power goes out.
I can buy an 8KW Kubota diesel-driven genset for around $6500. I'm really considering this for several reasons; 1. The fuel to run the house furnace is the same for the genset - I wouldn't be reliant on the propane as a third fuel source for the house. (Electric, Fuel, and Propane.) 2. The #2 fuel oil is less expensive than propane. 3. With two tanks of #2 fuel, if one gets low and delivery is delayed, I have some amount of backup for either the genset or the furnace. 4. I can maintain the diesel myself.

With everyone else using propane, what am I missing here?

Thoughts?

[Stocker]

Subbed.

With diesel already on site, having a diesel genset seems like a natural choice. I'd expect that a lot of folks with propane gensets already have propane for heat, cooking, and hot water.

Propane *may* be considered cleaner.... I don't know. But I'd choose diesel.

[slomotion]

That's one of the things that mystifies me.....several families I know had to bring in tanks and piping as nothing else in the house was propane. Seemed like an added expense to me.
I agree, I'm sure part of the sales pitch was the "cleaner" fuel.

[Advanced Design]

We have a built in propane powered generator and we heat with propane, making it convenient to power the generator. The engine is air cooled, so we of course don't have a cooling system to maintain. A battery heater and auto start every Tuesday afternoon helps make sure the system will function when needed.

Sounds like diesel is more convenient for you and the industrial level systems are diesel powered, so that may be a good way to go.

[mongocanfly]

my uncle has a propane setup similar to what Doug's describing....I have a 50hp tractor that burns less than a gallon of diesel an hour so I just bought a pto driven generator. ..works great...

[davischevy]

WE have natural gas here, so most use that.

In your case, diesel sound logical.

[Popcorn W]

I don't have a generator, so this is just my 2 cents. But, I'm familiar with a neighbor's experiences who does have one.
I have looked into one for several years, just haven't pulled the trigger yet.
I live in a very rural area. I can't see my neighbor's houses. And I'm over a mile down a state maintained dirt road.
One of my neighbors has a propane powered generator with a large (300 lb?) horizontal tank. We have had power outages in the past years that have lasted for several days, and he has run out of propane. Of course, the propane delivery company isn't making a special trip for him, so he's without power even though he has a good generator at his house.
I had checked on local codes and found out that a permanent mounted gasoline powered generator is against the law, but propane and diesel is okay.
Since I have a diesel farm tractor and a diesel truck, that's the only way I would go. Just because, worst case, I could siphon fuel out of something to keep it running, or just make a trip to the gas station.

[Leonard60]

When I used to own a water jet I went to a natural gas Gen set. 3 phase powermeant having a demand meter which made it way cheaper to generator. Thought about going diesel but was told buy the Gen set manufacture told me that unless the diesel was not going to run at load it would in time slobber etc etc and would give problems. I do realize a backup Gen likely would last a life time because it’s a seldom use thing.

['63GENIII]

FWIW, we maintain no less than 40 generators and transfer switches at my work. The range of output is 30kw through 1mw. We have natural gas, gasoline, Jet A fuel and diesel available. Out of the 4 fuel types, diesel is probably the more difficult to get.

Strange thing is that we don't run anything but diesel generators.

Last year, we just replaced a 40 + year old 12 cylinder Detroit with a 1Mw Cat. The old Detroit still ran great, exercised often. Just couldn't handle the anticipated emergency load at the expanded terminal that was just built. The new Cat can handle the load of the entire airport. Way overkill but big and EPA says its clean enough.

One thing to consider is BTUs.. Im pretty sure that diesel can provide way more power in a smaller package vs propane / natty gas in the same displacement. I think diesel may be more efficient and use less fuel as well.

[slomotion]

Thank you all for your comments!

My suspicions are pretty much confirmed. I am convinced that there has been a pretty clever marketing campaign going on and even though we are very much rural, the word-of-mouth endorsements have contributed a lot to the gensets that have been installed.
I guess I'll go against local convention and pursue a diesel set. Although the initial cost is a little higher, the payback in lower fuel costs, better fuel accessibility, and not being tied to one propane supplier appeals to me.

Thanks again!