Why People Prefer Diesel Generators Over Gasoline

In today's economy, where fuel prices are increasing you should choose a cost effective fuel to meet your needs. Diesel engines are extremely efficient and cost effective. Though the cost of diesel is higher than gasoline but diesel has a higher energy density. Energy density means more energy can be extracted from diesel when compared to same volume of gasoline. Most of the automobiles like trucks, cars etc prefer diesel because they provide higher mileage. Diesel is heavier and oilier compared with gasoline, and has a boiling point higher than that of water.

Diesel engines work on compression ignition while gasoline engines operate on spark ignition. In diesel generators air is drawn into the engine which results in higher compression that heats it up. The temperature of engine goes up, which is much higher than the temperature attained in a gasoline engine. At peak temperature and pressure, diesel that is let into the engine ignites on account of the extreme temperature.

Air and fuel are infused into the diesel generator at various stages while in a gas generator a mixture of air and gas are introduced. In diesel engine, fuel is injected through an injector while a carburetor is used for gasoline engine. In a gasoline generator, fuel and air are sent into the engine together, and then compressed. Diesel generator compresses only air and the ratio is much higher. Diesel generators compresses at the ratio of 14:1 upto 25:1 whereas gasoline has a compression ratio between 8:1 and 12:1. Diesel generators can either be two cycles or four cycles and are chosen based on mode of operation. Mostly air cooled and liquid cooled engines are the variants to be chosen appropriately. Liquid cooled generators are much better because it is quiet in operation and has controlled temperature.

Advantages of Diesel generators:

Diesel generators are much better and efficient and when compared to gasoline engine. Some of the reasons are as follows:

o Earlier models of diesel generators had higher noise and higher maintenance costs. But modern diesel engines require less maintenance and are quiet when compared to gas engines.

o They are more rugged and reliable

o Fuel cost per Kilowatt of diesel engines is thirty to fifty percent lower than that of gas engines.

o There is no sparkling as the fuel auto-ignites. The absence of spark plugs or spark wires lowers maintenance costs.

o Diesel engine that has 1800 rpm water cooled engine operates for 12,000 to 30,000 hours before any major maintenance is necessary. While gas unit that has 1800 rpm water cooled engine operators for 6,000-10,000 hours before it needs servicing.

o Gas burns hotter than diesel, and hence they have a shorter life when compared to diesel units.