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The 11 kW Quietsource is no
longer available, please click on Pricing
to view optional generators
For standby power systems,
gaseous fuels (natural gas or LP vapor) are vastly superior to diesel
fuel. All Guardian generators come in natural gas configurations,
and liquid propane (LP) vapor is available on some models.
Natural gas is delivered
reliably and continuously underground. Gaseous fueled engines emit
far fewer pollutants and are environmentally friendly.
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Natural gas demand drops
significantly during a power outage, assuring more than adequate
supply
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Spark ignited engines
start more easily than diesel engines in cold climates. Spark
ignited engines are also quieter in terms of noise, vibration and
harshness
Advantages of Diesel Fueled
Generators:
Diesel is safer than gas.
Diesel is a less flammable fuel than gasoline and will not ignite in the hot
summer sun like gasoline might.
Fuel storage life is longer than gas.
Diesel is available as an off road fuel that does not have the tax burden of
on road fuel. The off road diesel is tainted with a pink tint.
Diesel generators are more reliable than gas. Diesel engines don't
have the electronic ignition system, eliminating several dozen parts.
The less parts you have the less frequent part failure you have.
Diesel generators last far longer than gas generators. To get diesel
fuel to burn requires much higher compression than a gasoline engine so the
block, crankshaft and cylinder heads of a diesel engine are made heavier
than a similarly sized gasoline engine. But despite the higher
pressures of a diesel engine, these heavier parts simply last longer.
Diesel generators have better fuel consumption than gas. Diesel fuel
has a much higher energy content per gallon than gasoline. Given the
similar efficiencies of the two engine technologies, the diesel engine burns
fewer gallons of fuel for the same power output.
Diesel generators can burn "renewable" bio-diesel. But the
really exciting prospect of diesel over gasoline is the possibility of
eliminating petroleum consumption entirely. Most diesel engines can be
coaxed into burning vegetable oil instead of diesel and all of them can burn
various processed forms of vegetable oil without loss in live or efficiency.
Disadvantages of Diesel Fuel:
Diesel products require refueling
and on-site fuel storage in expensive double walled tanks. During major
emergencies, diesel fuel can be difficult to obtain.
- Diesel fuel emits an odor
and presents an environmental risk from spillage.
- Diesel fueled products face
tight fuel storage restrictions and the fuel itself requires maintenance
to prevent deterioration over time.
- Diesel engines are often
harder to start in cold climates and they traditionally create more noise
than spark ignited engines.
Comparison of Gas/Gaseous
Generators Fuel and Diesel Fuel; Advantages/Disadvantages
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