Selecting Residential and Light Commercial Diesel Generators

In these severe duty applications fuel economy, reliability and engine life are the critical factors customer use in selecting their generator. 

Engine lifetime is another factor to consider when selecting your generator in prime power applications.  In the author's experience, the following table outlines expected run time before overhaul for various engines:

Gasoline Portable 3600 rpm 500 to 2000 hours - typically not overhauled

Chinese Diesel 1800 rpm 500 to 2000 hours - typically not overhauled, most customers then buy our products then to get the best available after the horrible experience with Chinese Diesels

Natural Gas or Propane fueled 3600 rpm stationary generators 1000 to 2000 hours- typically not overhauled

Natural Gas or Propane fueled 1800 rpm stationary generators up to 6000 hours - overhaul or exchange engines available

Lombardini, Perkins,  Yanmar and Kubota 1800 rpm diesels up to 10000 hours - overhaul possible, economy of rebuild vs replace depends on engine failure

Mitsubishi and Isuzu 1800 rpm diesels up to 15000 hours - overhaul possible, economy of rebuild vs replace depends on engine failure

(note - hours are estimated, Opinions are my own - there are obviously exceptions - maintenance routine etc , but based on my thirty-five years in the engine industry)