Just pushed the button on a 7.6KW liquid cooled diesel generator

[Dagoth Ur Does Solar]

It's still crazy to me how microbes can take over a diesel tank. I only even learned about it on this forum.

I'm guessing not much can live in a gasoline-rich environment, so that's why I've never seen this with gas?

 

[seneysolar]

 

[timselectric]

It's always best my understanding that the algae grows in the water, that infiltrates the storage tank.

 

[skyking1]

Treat the diesel for microbial growth if its going to sit.

I also use 2 cycle oil in the fuel to keep the injection system lubricated. Its cheap and the TCw3 outboard stuff burns pretty clean nowadays. In my head it might help the cylinders with dry starts after sitting too, just a guess.

Have a drain at the lowest point in the tank. This is where water will collect, you can sump it a few times a year to inspect.

with one of these, you can sump the low point of any barrel or tank. They are super handy for that.
Prop up a 55 gallon on a 2x4 on one edge and then vac sump the low corner, for example.
I burn the stuff I siphon off while burning brush, etc.
These are handy for cleaning up an old fuel system.

 

[AlaskanNoob]

Never heard of this... normal diesels are 250 hrs, 3000 seems very extreme... maybe 600-1000 hrs.
truck refer units hold like 10-15 liters of engine oil and have long service intervals...
Are you saying the tank in the picture is an oil pan.
Or is it a fuel tank?
how many liters does it hold in oil?
They will have an date that is should be changed as well. Like 3000hr or once a year.

Hitachi excavators Hydraulic oil is specs 3-4000 hr, for the first oil change. But that's nice clean oil. Not engine oil.

The tank on the bottom (where two oil filter sit up top on the left) is the oil tank from what I understand. Not sure how much it holds yet. It was an add on that the company says only requires oil changes every 3000 hours although I'm sure the filters have to be changed more often. I still need to get my hands on a manual or something.

 

[AlaskanNoob]

Can you not get fresh fuel once a year? That would be plenty often. I would suggest laying in a half dozen fuel filters. Cheap insurance that will keep Murphy away. Put a prefilter with a separator on it if it is not so equipped, and sump that very regularly.
Congrats on a great purchase that will serve you for decades

All things normal, we can get diesel once a year. We order just before winter so that we get the winter mix with the anti-gel additives. We still need to figure out how we're going to plumb the fuel tank into the generator, should gravity flow, but we want to put some water separators/filters in there like you suggest.

Once we get our diesel heater for the cabin as our secondary heat source and the rest of our solar up, I don't imagine this generator will be kicking on all that much even in winter.

The coldest parts of winter this year I ran the gas generator frequently, burning about 5 gallons a day, but that's with only 7KW of solar up instead of the full 25KW we should have up this summer, and mostly that was because we ran an electric heat pump in the winter (inefficient but allowed us to get an idea of heat pump load in winter). Once we get the diesel heater that will heat the cabin when there isn't enough sun for the heat pump, then our electrical load will go way down. Of course we don't have the cabin finished and so don't have all our appliances installed yet so loads will increase as we finish the cabin and put in a water heater and washer/dryer, fridges, etc.

When we leave the homestead we'll set the heat to keep the cabin just above freezing inside and loads will be light, so even then I wouldn't think the generator would need to kick on much. But I want an insurance policy before I leave the system running while we're away because I need my system to be able to keep the batteries warm and run the cameras and sensors and such. That 5 gallon fuel tank in the gas generator isn't enough, so every time we take a trip we've been shutting the whole system down. Will be nice to keep it running.

 

[HarryN]

We put some stabilizer in it and we're operating under the assumption that it will be good for two years. So far we haven't had any issues but who really knows. Maybe the excavator won't start one of these days...

We have a 500 gallon tank a mile and a half from the homestead on the nearest dirt road so a fuel truck can fill it. Then we add the stabilizer, and then we'll make a few trips with the wheelers using a transfer tank to pump it into the 500 gallon tank we're going to install next to the generator. We'll do that as part of our winter preparation. Then whatever is left after winter we'll burn in the heavy machinery. Worst case, if it goes bad, we'll burn it in diesel heaters.

If I could find a wood gasifier generator setup that actually worked reliably, I'd ditch diesel and start making and storing charcoal but seems like that isn't going to be a reality anytime soon.

I have visited this outfit but it has been a while. They make two general kinds of gasifiers AFAIK:
- One type that is focused on producing electricity from dry, low tar woods

Powerpallet | ALL Power Labs

Explore the enhanced PP30 Power Pallet from ALL Power Labs, featuring a powerful 25kW engine, efficient thermal output, and grid-tie capabilities, designed for superior performance and ease of use.

www.allpowerlabs.com

- One type that is focused on producing biochar - mostly from trees that are insect infected



In the type optimized for electricity, all of the carbon is consumed during the gas phase reaction to shift turns tars into the H2 / CO / etc mix.

https://www.allpowerlabs.com/

 

[Crowz]

One of my trucks has had the same diesel fuel in it for about 15 years I guess. Still runs fine.

 

[AlaskanNoob]

I have visited this outfit but it has been a while. They make two general kinds of gasifiers AFAIK:
- One type that is focused on producing electricity from dry, low tar woods

Powerpallet | ALL Power Labs

Explore the enhanced PP30 Power Pallet from ALL Power Labs, featuring a powerful 25kW engine, efficient thermal output, and grid-tie capabilities, designed for superior performance and ease of use.

www.allpowerlabs.com

- One type that is focused on producing biochar - mostly from trees that are insect infected



In the type optimized for electricity, all of the carbon is consumed during the gas phase reaction to shift turns tars into the H2 / CO / etc mix.

https://www.allpowerlabs.com/

Got a quote from them years ago, but $69K for something without reviews is a bit too risky for me. Maybe Will will pick one up and review it and if he says it's good then I'll save my allowance for one...

 

[AlaskanNoob]

Is the algae that gets in the diesel growing without light? I wouldn't think much light is getting into our fuel tanks...

 

[doing it different]

I have visited this outfit but it has been a while. They make two general kinds of gasifiers AFAIK:
- One type that is focused on producing electricity from dry, low tar woods

Powerpallet | ALL Power Labs

Explore the enhanced PP30 Power Pallet from ALL Power Labs, featuring a powerful 25kW engine, efficient thermal output, and grid-tie capabilities, designed for superior performance and ease of use.

www.allpowerlabs.com

- One type that is focused on producing biochar - mostly from trees that are insect infected



In the type optimized for electricity, all of the carbon is consumed during the gas phase reaction to shift turns tars into the H2 / CO / etc mix.

https://www.allpowerlabs.com/

Check out this guy,,,,

Thrive Off Grid

Manufacturer of small scale wood and charcoal gasifier systems Check us out at http://www.thriveoffgrid.net/ Follow us on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThriveOffGrid For ordering info contact our sales at mryder@thrivenrg.net

m.youtube.com

 

[AlaskanNoob]

Check out this guy,,,,

Thrive Off Grid

Manufacturer of small scale wood and charcoal gasifier systems Check us out at http://www.thriveoffgrid.net/ Follow us on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThriveOffGrid For ordering info contact our sales at mryder@thrivenrg.net

m.youtube.com

Will do. But his latest video is titled "test" and that seems to be the way it goes with these things. Some people are putting out videos with tons of frustration and every once in awhile they get a generator to run for short bursts. Looks like a fun hobby but so far I'm not convinced this technology is ready for prime time.

 

[doing it different]

You have this generator in an insulated building?
You can use it to cogen and keep it warm and the building warm.
You will need a block heater to keep it warm and ready to go, is it diesel powered?


If you can, an easy way is to stick exhaust and crankcase vent outside. And maybe the intake. And just let the rad air circulate into you building.

 

[doing it different]

Will do. But his latest video is titled "test" and that seems to be the way it goes with these things. Some people are putting out videos with tons of frustration and every once in awhile they get a generator to run for short bursts. Looks like a fun hobby but so far I'm not convinced this technology is ready for prime time.

Of all the ones I have seen this is the one I would choose if I had an excuse to buy one.
His are make for small engine generators.

They all need human input.
But the way he does his video you can tell he doesn't trick you and cut and paste to make it look better. Its definitely a rabbit hole to fall into.
But it is as old a WW2

For more problem free solution diesel or gas is the way to go.

 

[Brucey]

Is the algae that gets in the diesel growing without light? I wouldn't think much light is getting into our fuel tanks...

View attachment 285167

It's actually a biomass, not algae, thrives when theres water contamination.

Not recommending their product just a background.

Diesel Algae Treatment: Keeping Your Diesel Tank Clean | Blog | Howes Products

Learn how keeping your diesel tank clean is the best diesel algae treatment of all.

howesproducts.com

 

[doing it different]

another rabbit hole,
nobox7 has cool burners for your waste oil.

.

But I would blend it, (max 50% if you don't want problems) and use it in the summer in your mechanical diesels, to get rid of it.

 

[pvdude]

Biocide is required to store Diesel fuel here in the tropics.
The humidity and Diesel's hygroscopic tendency, combined w/ the high heat, makes algae happy!

So I treat w/ Biocide every year.
Years later the fuel is brown, but works fine in the genset and the old Diesels (pre-emission)

 

[mciholas]

Is the algae that gets in the diesel growing without light? I wouldn't think much light is getting into our fuel tanks...

HUM bugs (hydrocarbon utilizing microorganisms) don't need light, they feed on the fuel directly.

Test kit for this:

Hum-Bug Detector Kit – Biobor Fuel Additives

www.biobor.com

Mike C.

 

[RV8R]

Good Luck with it all @AlaskanNoob

Not Sure what you have for equipment up there, but for redundancy purposes ,,, if you already have a diesel Tractor or something with a PTO here is a standby redundancy idea for ya;

Baumalight TX12 PTO Generator - GLC Equipment

Baumalight TX12 PTO Generator

www.glcequipment.ca

Not suggesting this 12kW PTO equipment ,,, just the idea if you already have a diesel PTO up there.

 

[AlaskanNoob]

Good Luck with it all @AlaskanNoob

Not Sure what you have for equipment up there, but for redundancy purposes ,,, if you already have a diesel Tractor or something with a PTO here is a standby redundancy idea for ya;

Baumalight TX12 PTO Generator - GLC Equipment

Baumalight TX12 PTO Generator

www.glcequipment.ca

View attachment 285186

Not suggesting this 12kW PTO equipment ,,, just the idea if you already have a diesel PTO up there.

Appreciate it, we have a Kubota track loader and a Kubota excavator. No redundancy in those I don't think. Tractors are super popular though, might look into one eventually although I'd rather sell these Kubotas and pick up an electric tractor for lighter work once all the heavy lifting around here is done.

You have this generator in an insulated building?
You can use it to cogen and keep it warm and the building warm.
You will need a block heater to keep it warm and ready to go, is it diesel powered?


If you can, an easy way is to stick exhaust and crankcase vent outside. And maybe the intake. And just let the rad air circulate into you building.

We don't have the generator delivered yet but we're going to put an insulated shed around it. It has a 120V block heater that we'll have kick on around 20F or so. Was planning on installing a louvre that opens up when it's exhausting but maybe putting the exhaust outside directly is better, will look into that.

 

[RV8R]

Appreciate it, we have a Kubota track loader and a Kubota excavator. No redundancy in those I don't think. Tractors are super popular though, might look into one eventually although I'd rather sell these Kubotas and pick up an electric tractor for lighter work once all the heavy lifting around here is done.



We don't have the generator delivered yet but we're going to put an insulated shed around it. It has a 120V block heater that we'll have kick on around 20F or so. Was planning on installing a louvre that opens up when it's exhausting but maybe putting the exhaust outside directly is better, will look into that.

Team Orange


Me Too;




Not Sure of your needs, but I find my L6060 very versatile ( could always have a bigger machine - but this unit sips diesel @ less than 4L/hr usually );

TB Max Mower - I limb trees up to 12’ high @ the side of my roads;

Fork Lift Forks ,,, Also handy;



Rear Deck Rough Cut Mower 6’ deck / blade pass;




The versatility of a well equipped Tractor is hard to beat ,,, a key factor is “fitting” them with hydraulics like a hydraulic top link etc.

 

[doing it different]

We don't have the generator delivered yet but we're going to put an insulated shed around it. It has a 120V block heater that we'll have kick on around 20F or so. Was planning on installing a louvre that opens up when it's exhausting but maybe putting the exhaust outside directly is better, will look into that.

There is an other guy I sometimes watch, in Alaska. And the do the same thing with louvers and vents exhaust out of a separate stack.
Must be code or something. But makes no sense.
If it was a cogen with infloor heat you would never do that. Just install a carbon monoxide tester to shut it down

 

[Brucey]

There is an other guy I sometimes watch, in Alaska. And the do the same thing with louvers and vents exhaust out of a separate stack.
Must be code or something. But makes no sense.
If it was a cogen with infloor heat you would never do that. Just install a carbon monoxide tester to shut it down

For the big container sized generators I've seen there's louvers front and back so the front mounted radiator can get flow through it.

 

[skyking1]

They now make an inverter water to water heat pump with very good efficiency. IF you can dig down 8' you are a great candidate for Ground Source Heat Pump. (GSHP).
The bigger your loops, the higher the loop temperature. This directly effects the COP.
Imagine a COP of >4 all winter

 

[doing it different]

For the big container sized generators I've seen there's louvers front and back so the front mounted radiator can get flow through it.

Yes for when it's hot you need that,
rad needs air flow across it.

When its -40 and I am running a generator anyway. I want that heat.
That's why infloor is nice you can use the concrete as a battery to shove heat into. Assuming you have a nice shop you want warm. But a simpler way without exhaust heat scavenging is use the heat coming off the rad to warm the shop using air.
And if the engine intake sucks air from in the shop you will have new air coming in from air leaks in the shop. Maybe it would make more sense to take cold air from outside like some furnaces do....
But for starting warm air would be better..