How to choose the generator correctly? Petrol or diesel?

The generator is a device that can become an autonomous source of energy and adjust the power of heating devices, lighting, etc. The possibilities of the device are well revealed when traveling to nature, building and repair work, and in emergency situations it is absolutely irreplaceable.

To date, the standard buyers have provided a wide choice of power generators. Orientation in the variety of models is not easy, but knowing the basic principles, it is still possible to do it. Here we consider the main characteristics, without going into the technical nuances and design features. The classification is carried out according to the main types: their characteristic shortcomings and advantages are examined.

So, the content of the article:

• 8 rules for choosing the generator


• How to choose a generator for a summer residence?


• How to choose a generator by manufacturer?


• Which generator to choose for home?


• Which generator to choose for welding?

8 rules for the choice of the generator

1. Diesel, gasoline and gas generators are used for the type of fuel consumed. The most environmentally friendly are gas generators, but most of these models depend on the gas main, and hence on the pressure in it. For domestic use, it is recommended to use gasoline, but diesel generators demonstrate maximum reliability. They are indispensable in industrial facilities, and are successfully used in residential complexes.


2. The power selection is based on the following principle: the minimum generator power is the total power of all devices, plus 10%.


3. Phases. There are three-phase and single-phase generators. The former are more often used in industry, although there are exceptions.


4. The generated noise. It is recommended to install generators in separate rooms, but the model itself can be equipped with a noise-proof casing.


5. Exhaust gases. The system of tapping of gases is an important part of the design, take an interest in this when choosing.


6. Service. The purchase of the generator also assumes its installation. Learn more about the availability of spare parts in the warehouse and the quality of service.


7. Support. With other equal parameters, the choice is better to make in favor of the company having its own service center.


8. Certificates. Look for the confirmation of quality not in words, but with the help of the relevant documents that are available to any solid company.

How to choose a generator for summer residence?

Before choosing, you must precisely determine the purpose for which you intend to use the generator. This is the point from which you need to pounce and build all further reasoning. First of all, the purposes of using an electric generator affect the required power indicators. For a summer residence, for example, the petrol generator with capacity from 0.6 to 3 kw is quite fit. Such power will provide energy for the basic household appliances, and gasoline is ideal for periodic short-term use.

For accurate calculation of generator power, it is necessary to determine the starting capacity of all electrical appliances connected to the home network. In this case, do not forget that the nominal power, indicated in the passport of the device, is different from the starting one. For most inductive devices, it is somewhat higher. The inductive load presupposes a high current strength at the beginning of the operation of the instrument and a uniform current, during operation. Starting and rated power are different for instruments:

• Ohmic consumers( electric tiles, incandescent lamps, soldering irons, toasters, irons).In such devices, the rated current is equal to the starting current.


• Consumers with low inductance( hand drills and saws, jigsaws - all electrical tools, household appliances: fluorescent lamps, refrigerators, televisions, computers, etc.).In them, the rated current is less than the starting current 1.5 2 times.


• Devices with large inductance( any devices with powerful motors using electricity: transformers, compressors, borehole pumps, welding machines).In such devices, the difference between the starting current and the rated current is several times unavoidable. For example, for a welding machine it is 300-500%, and for an average power pump it will be 500-700%.

If your system of electrical appliances does not have aggregates running on high-powered engines, you can simplify the calculation by adding about 50-100% in total power. Of course, your generator does not need to produce this power constantly - it's peak load with simultaneous connection of several devices.

Some manufacturers indicate power not in the usual kW, but in kVA.Correlation of this quantity to the usual figures is multiplied by 0.8.Thus 10 kVA will be equal to 8 kW.

How to choose a generator by manufacturer?

Competition between manufacturers led to the fact that at the moment the buyer has a huge selection of generators working on any type of fuel, including gasoline. On which brand to choose? As a determining factor here are the standard rules of the market: the ratio of quality and price, service and fame of the manufacturer.

You need to start by searching for information about which brands of gasoline generators are serviced in your area of ​​residence. Communicate with the service center of the company from which you want to make a purchase, with employees of repair centers. Such employees always have information that will help you determine the choice of the firm. Not less useful are the reviews and discussions at special forums.

Do not be surprised if you choose the products of the famous brand, you will get the corresponding price for the device and its maintenance. The quality offered by the majority of proven manufacturers corresponds to high demands, but in cost this is not always reflected correctly. Good reviews have companies such as Gesan, Elemax, Champion, Endress, Honda, GM.SDMO.
If you are looking for the perfect balance of performance and cost, then the best way is to turn to Russian firms that are closer to the needs of the domestic consumer. From imported parts, the Russian company VEPR collects its products and its products are characterized by a good price balance.

As in other market segments, low prices are offered by manufacturers from China. Not all brands from this country have good recommendations, but Kipor can be identified, although its products differ in price from the rest of the "Chinese" assortment by almost two times.

The author of this article conducted a comparative analysis on the official sites of well-known brands, specialized forums and chose for himself a gasoline generator of inverter type Defort DGI-1000.As its name implies, the power of this device is 1 kW.

The cost of the Defort DGI-1000 is around 5600 rubles, and for this price you can get compactness( the weight of the device is only 12 kg) and accurate assembly.

As the supplier of the generator, SBM Group from Germany is indicated. This international group was registered in 2007, and its main activity is development of automatic networks, stations, devices, sale of power tools, spare parts and consumables to them, etc. Country of the manufacturer was not specified, but the assumption that the device made in China seems logical.
The main argument in favor of buying the unit was an excellent warranty period of 5 years. What kind of generator to choose for a home?
Constant power outages are not uncommon for our country and this problem becomes a starting point for choosing and buying a generator. The need to have such a device is even more relevant for owners of private houses and dachas. The quality of the power supply through the central communications will not be adjusted for a while, so it is necessary to be ready in case of emergency outages, even if interruptions are planned only in theory.

The first thing you need to determine is the power. Try not to plan blindly and read reviews on forums where there is a discussion of similar devices. The issue of power is very important. Gather information about all appliances consuming electricity in your network. When calculating our magazine Vse-Sekrety.ru recommends to take figures not from the passport data, but the estimated starting capacity of the device, consider the connection of compressors and electric motors. The figures obtained will surely surprise you. Separately, it is worth highlighting the devices without which you can not live, and by these figures make up emergency power. Of course, it will be significantly below average.

Once you have data on fuel consumption, the desire to reduce the capacity of the unit will become even stronger. In most cases, the cost of 1 kW of energy obtained with the help of household generators seriously exceeds the price dictated by the state.

The minimum set of instruments, in case of an accident, this is lighting( 2/3 of the power of the lamps is taken into account), a refrigerator and a TV.Counting the computer uninterruptible power supply is a sufficient condition for comfort.

After solving the power problem, you need to switch to the motor selection. They are classified according to the consumed fuel and the operating cycle( four- and two-stroke).When choosing the most often oriented to the level of noise generated, the possibility of using fuel for other household needs( gas, gasoline, solar oil), and the estimated duration of continuous use of the generator. The availability of fuel also plays an important role.

For emergency situations, gasoline-powered generators are best suited. Such stations, with a capacity of up to 5 kW, are able to provide electricity to the main set of household appliances. The noise generated by gasoline generators is minimal, which distinguishes them from gas generators with forced ventilation. Most models have a casing that protects from sound. True, the use of the casing is not always beneficial, since it significantly reduces ventilation and disturbs the cooling of the unit. This affects the continuity of the work.

If your house has gas reserves( cylinders with propane-butane), then it is possible to organize a system operating from the gas generator drive. Liquefied gas is the fuel available today and this option can be quite effective. Gas prices vary, but generally lower than the cost of gasoline, and in terms of noise, such generators do not differ much from each other. For a few hours of emergency, these generators may well provide your home with energy.

The period of use for which the manufacturer's warranties apply is dependent on the cylinder block variants. For example, a block of aluminum can work 1000 hours, and a block made of cast iron can work 3-4 times longer. Guarantees are built on the basis of these figures.

If the generator is selected as the main source of energy, a different approach will be required, and the emphasis will have to be placed on other details. Since the power of such a generator will be much higher than that of an emergency generator, and it will work continuously, the ideal option is an aggregate operating on diesel fuel. Such a generator must have its own cooling system. Diesel generators have such elements, and their operation time and reliability are an order of magnitude higher than gas and gasoline ones.

Which generator to choose for welding?

For the welding generator an important factor is the type of fuel. It is always diesel or gasoline. The difference is also in the type of current received - constant or variable. Working on gasoline, welding machines with variable welding current is the most advantageous price solution. In addition to cheapness, they have the advantage of compactness. The problem is that the resource of such aggregates is small. For serious, prolonged loads, the choice is better to stop on diesel generators.

The type of current generated by the machine directly affects the quality of welding. The best quality is provided by direct current, and the generators providing it are much more complicated than their counterparts with alternating current. However, the quality of the welded seam is much higher. The decision on which one to choose the configuration of the device and the manufacturer's brand is decided by the welder himself.

Now you have all the necessary information for choosing an electric generator, and you are not afraid of mistakes in the selection.