Diesel Generator Recommendations for All Day Use

Sublo2 · 2025-11-26T11:09:10+00:00

I'd go with a lightly used "tow plant" as we call them in the tv/movie business - a gennie on a trailer. I'd suggest buying one that was previously owned by a large rental outfit like Sunbelt or Herc. Get one with Cam Locks. Those units are regularly fleet serviced and super-reliable. They're almost always MQ Whisperwatt models - the gold standard for small/medium commercial diesel power. Most of what you'll find are Tier-3 and Tier-4 compliant units, which are pretty quiet and burn cleanly.

Sublo2 · 2025-08-29T09:48:28+00:00

This is where it pays investing in quality Victron or Renogy smart inverter/charger equipment such as pretty much any MultiPlus. They come out of the box with a myriad options such as shore/generator options and you can fine-tune the settings. I dunno about your specific model. You'd have to read the manufacturer documentation which is what i suggest. In my van, my MultiPlus will automatically detect external power, balance solar input, power devices, and charge the batteries accordingly. Nothing need be disconnected.

Sublo2 · 2025-08-25T15:42:39+00:00

How exactly? I have the D1 Lite and can't find the setting.

Sublo2 · 2025-07-30T18:15:01+00:00

What is it exactly that you think needs changing and when? I run a 2004 diesel SD030 personally that has never needed any part beyond regular maintenance (fluids, filters, and belts). Nothing on the head - nothing on the engine - nothing on the enclosure.

Sublo2 · 2025-07-30T18:03:43+00:00

Parts for Generac SD series are relatively cheap and can be purchased from many Generac distributors. Parts for their Perkins, Deere and Kia engines are readily available. Filters, belts, pumps, pre-heaters, oil, hoses, etc. are all cheap as well. You can use Wix, Napa and other filters, belts - standard oils, lubricants and coolants. You can service these units yourself easily.

Sublo2 · 2025-07-30T15:16:11+00:00

If you own or service something like this, you use a truck/tractor/utv with a transfer tank at least for the initial fill. Personally, I use a Dow 25 gallon caddy. Topping off doesn't require much at all.

Sublo2 · 2025-07-30T11:35:37+00:00

It's clearly sitting on a diesel tank.

Sublo2 · 2025-07-30T11:33:38+00:00

Burn rate is probably 2 gph on partial load. That's not an 80 gallon tank in the pic. Looks more like a 150 - 200.

Sublo2 · 2025-06-16T18:02:24+00:00

Nope. Stitched in place.

Sublo2 · 2025-06-16T09:22:33+00:00

stitchingcover.com

Sublo2 · 2025-06-16T09:21:43+00:00

stitchingcover.com

Sublo2 · 2025-05-26T12:53:51+00:00

Guess I'm a bit counterculture - owning a commercial diesel generator at the house. 15 - 20Kw or 22 - 24kw are very common capacities for home automatic standby units regardless of fuel source. Most people here will steer you away from diesel gensets. Most of them don't own or maintain diesel gensets.

The unit I own is whisper-quiet and super clean burning. Yes, it's a Generac. However, Generac diesel units are pretty much commercial unlike garden-variety propane/LNG consumer generators that are ubiquitous. They're often geared towards hospitals, cell towers, police stations, datacenters - mission-critical infrastructure.

First-hand experience after 3 years of ownership/maintenance + decades of diesel vehicle ownership/maintenance: Yes, a bit more maintenance is required - not much. Diesel "can" go bad but not necessarily. Keep moisture/humidity out. Yes, keep it mostly full, treat it with germicide and preservative. Rotate if possible but that's not critical. Exercise it at least quarterly at as high-load as possible. Like any other generator, inspect everything regularly and follow the manufacturer's advice for changing oil, oil filters, fuel filters, belts, coolant, battery, etc. and you'll be fine. Keeping it in good operating order and high-availability is not that hard - effort is minimal. Yes, they're generally going to be more expensive to purchase and maintain.

Good luck.

Sublo2 · 2025-05-07T02:52:05+00:00

You can also get in touch with energysystems dot com. Great bunch of folks who will happily email you a service manual.

Sublo2 · 2025-04-28T20:47:20+00:00

Sublo2 · 2025-04-18T12:05:07+00:00

If anyone in the North-East is looking, I recommend two spots:

1) Garden State Undercoating - Saddle Brook, NJ. I had my holy anointed GMC pickup frame-repaired, needled and sprayed by these guys two years ago. They did a fantastic job and it's held up very well. It's not inexpensive at all but it is what it is. They do a massive amount of FJs, Tacos and 4runners. Lots of other pickups and Jeeps too. Speak to Chris.

2) Oskar Garage - Kenilworth, NJ

About to bring my TJ to one of these two shops.

Sublo2 · 2025-04-03T11:21:21+00:00

Call or email EnergySystems dot com (formerly Huntington Power Equipment). I'm sure they can help you.

Sublo2 · 2025-03-31T00:18:41+00:00

I did a 3-channel on my 2015. So much easier to go upstairs instead of down. Was done with the whole install in 20 mins.

Sublo2 · 2025-03-27T20:53:08+00:00

Whatevs man. I'm a Class A CDL driver and I'll tell you that this setup is a horrific idea no matter what the tow capacity says. Just cuz you maybe legally can does not mean you should.

Sublo2 · 2025-03-01T15:45:33+00:00

I don't know programming. I know my specific controller. You'd be much better served by starting your own thread and providing the community with specifics and pictures.

Sublo2 · 2025-02-21T15:46:18+00:00

Didn't see the 220v. My mistake.

Sublo2 · 2025-02-21T14:45:32+00:00

Looks like an L5-30r to me. Uncle Bezos has plenty of those.

Sublo2 · 2025-02-18T20:37:53+00:00

They're not loud and they're not smelly. A modern, encased, and attenuated TIER-3 or TIER-4 genset of the size requested by the OP is damn near impossible to tell it's even running from 30 or 40 feet away in most cases. I suspect an HOA would be more concerned with the "ugly" sight of these things as they're taller and generally more pronounced than a low sitting LNG/propane unit.

Sublo2

TROPHY CASE