Thursday, January 8, 2009

Diesel Marine Generator - Points To Consider Before Buying

By Adrian Fletcher

A diesel marine generator functions as a primary or backup power source for vehicles or machinery that are likely to come in contact with liquid or water. So you will find them used on boats and ships, in ports and harbors or even in plant where large refrigeration unit are needed.

You'll also find them in supermarkets for refrigeration purposes. They are specifically build to resist water to a certain degree. This is one of their selling features you could say.

A marine generator is different from a box standard generator in that it has a protective outer casing and individual parts that are more resistant to water.

So at sea, the combination of water and salt is deadly for iron or steel machinery. A marine generator will have an outer casing that protects the innards from the water. It will be a thick layer of metal that will probably be painted with rust resistant paint.

So if you are planning to purchase a diesel marine generator you can get a new one. his is a good option but is often out of many peoples reach. A new marine generator is an expensive item. So there is a decent market for used marine generators. If dollars are a consideration to you then a used generator might be an good option.

People looking for a used option need to research the history of the unit they are buying (even used units can still be expensive). The least you need to know is how long it has be running and what kind of elements it has worked in.

If a generator has been dropped in the sea for instance you may want to steer clear. A service history may also be pertinent information.

Whatever option you go for, be it used or new, the next thing to address is how much power the machine will need to deliver. Basically you have to work out the total load. This could be easy in fixed locations that only have a few appliances. Or it may be harder if you are planning on using it in a large boat that can have fluctuations in energy needs. Take an average over a 3 month period in these cases.

Another factor might be the type of fuel to power the machine. Diesel is an obvious choice but you can also get standard gas or natural gas.

Brand names count in the field of marine generators just as they do in haute couture. The best brands to go for are Onan, Westerbeke, Kohler, Mase and Fischer Panda marine generators. They have a history and reputation in the industry and produce quality machinery.

There are many types or models available by these manufacturers, primarily the capacity of the generator but other features like the noise level and the pollution output levels of the machines in operation. These are other considerations when looking at diesel marine generators or any other type for that matter. - 16492

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