Generator for home: which one is better to choose, a comparison of gasoline and diesel equipment

The power grid for various reasons can stop the supply of energy at the most unexpected moment. In some cases, country houses or seasonal dachas do not connect to the network at all due to its absence. A compact mobile power plant will come to the rescue in such cases. But before installing it, you need to know which generator to choose for the house is better.

Criterias of choice

Electric generators, which have found widespread use in everyday life, are designed to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy, which subsequently feeds household appliances necessary for comfortable accommodation. They provide an uninterrupted supply of electricity in its complete or emergency absence. Often, gasoline generators are used on construction sites to connect a hammer drill, concrete mixer or welding machine.

With regard to the criteria for choosing equipment used in the country, here one should proceed from a number of fundamental questions.

Primary among them are:

1. The required power of the unit, which must be calculated taking into account the expected load by summing the strength of the household appliances used.
2. Output voltage, which can vary from 220 to 380 volts. The exact figure is determined based on the requirements of the device powered by a gasoline station.
3. A variety of household appliances with respect to the stability of its output parameters.
4. Frequency of generator operation. If there is a temporary or auxiliary use of the energy source, a gasoline appliance will be the best option. The diesel analogue is not very adapted for short-term use.
5. Resource degree. Generators designed for 500 hours of operation are mobile, lightweight, affordable, and will be an excellent option for short-term use. A unit with an increased service life should be chosen if it is necessary that it works continuously for 7-10 hours.
6. Extreme noise level when the generator is on.

Comparison of gasoline and diesel units

When deciding which generator for your home to choose - gasoline or diesel - it is worth considering their features. These installations differ structurally depending on the performance indicators. So, in a gasoline unit, the combustible mixture is issued by the carburetor, its ignition occurs from a spark plug. A diesel injector injects fuel (diesel fuel) under strong pressure, resulting in a fire.

When comparing a diesel engine with a carburetor engine (without taking into account the characteristics of the generator), it is worth paying attention to their significant differences:

• a diesel engine has a long resource, however, a gasoline analogue is less whimsical in maintenance;
• a plant that does not run on gasoline is noisier and more expensive;
• the diesel unit is sensitive to the environment and temperature.

Taking into account the listed factors, the properties of electric generators are determined. When choosing the required generator, the buyer should take into account the following points:

1. Features of the mode and power. A standard gas generator is represented by a light and compact device, most often acting as a backup source. Typically, the power of inverter units varies from 0.5 to 10 kW, there are also reinforced models. There are industrial devices designed for continuous operation. For diesel installations, idle turns at low loads are undesirable. The operating manual necessarily contains information about the operating time, between which preventive measures must be taken to supply the generator with a load of 100%. This prevents coking of the injector, cylinder and exhaust manifold with combustion products (diesel fuel).
2. By consumption and type of fuel. To choose a gasoline generator, it should be understood that the improved models are characterized by a compression ratio of 9-10. In diesel devices, this figure reaches 18-22. In the latter case, fuel consumption is regulated by the applied load, therefore, fuel consumption is more economical, and efficiency is more efficient. If we compare it with a conventional gasoline engine, then it shows the efficiency by 20-30% lower, therefore, the fuel consumption will be higher.
3. Depending on the resource. By this criterion, diesel units with a reinforced structure prevail. Diesel fuel acts as a lubricant, preventing premature wear of working elements. The resource indicator is individual for each model of equipment, it depends on the quality of the cylinder block and the general structural arrangement of all units. For example, for four-stroke petrol generators with cast-iron blocks, operation of up to 3 thousand operating hours is inherent. Two-stroke models with aluminum cylinders last about 500 hours. If we talk about small diesel units (up to 10 kW), then their resource does not exceed 3-5 thousand hours. Motors with liquid cooling are used for a longer time.

Additional indicators

There are equally important criteria that should be followed when choosing a generator. These include:

1. Noise level. Devices running on gasoline are quieter (from 55 to 72 dB) compared to diesel engines (from 70 to 110 dB). Diesel engines have an increased compression ratio and are subjected to heavy loads.
2. Repair. Due to their complex design features, diesel generators must be serviced by qualified specialists. Such a service is costly, but it subsequently pays off with a high resource. The carburetor engine is less demanding on fuel and is not difficult to repair. When thinking about how to choose a gas generator for your home, it is worth considering these aspects.
3. Launch method. Gasoline plants are simpler than diesel ones and can be started in any mode. In the latter case, minor malfunctions make themselves felt in the form of a failure of the piston group, insufficient fuel atomization due to a poor fit of the needle in the nozzle or interruptions with the fuel pump.
4. The weight of the device on gasoline is significantly less than a diesel installation. But if we compare this indicator for low-power power plants, then the difference is almost imperceptible.
5. Diesel generators are more expensive. This fact is explained by the increased resource of work, a complicated design.

For domestic needs, it is more appropriate to use gasoline or inverter generators. Such installations are characterized by ease of operation, affordable price and mobility.

Correct power calculation

This parameter is the main characteristic that each customer relies on when choosing a unit. To get the required power, it is necessary to summarize the indicators of all equipment that will be powered by the generator. It is worth adding 20-30% to this value to prevent system overload. Incorrectly calculated power can lead to negative consequences, among which are:

• excessive consumption of fuel;
• reduction in the operating life of the installation due to operation at limiting conditions;
• overloading the motor, which can lead to its damage.

In order for the power calculation to be carried out correctly, the type of devices connected to the unit, their voltage, is initially determined. An important indicator is the coefficient of inrush currents. For example, when working with a welding machine, the generator must supply a current that is 2-3 times the available nominal power. Based on these data, the required power from the power plant is calculated.

The calculation of power for a summer cottage or house, where electricity is often cut off, should be done differently. In any living space, lighting devices, a refrigerator, a vacuum cleaner, a TV, and sometimes video surveillance are used. In total, the power of such equipment will not exceed 2 kW. Taking into account the starting currents and the maximum power, you can roughly calculate the parameters of the generator, which can simultaneously power household appliances and lighting. For calculations, one should proceed from the largest values ​​in kW:

• refrigerator - within 5.0 * 0.3;
• lighting lamps - 3 * 0.1 + 2 * 0.05;
• TV - 1.0 * 0.08;
• vacuum cleaner - 2.0 * 0.8.

The total value indicates 3.5 kW and no more. Considering that the total power of all equipment is slightly lower than the calculated value, and all consumers electricity is used extremely rarely at the same time, then for giving a generator with a capacity of 3 kW it will be enough.

The maximum power output is indicated on the case of a high-quality generator. When purchasing such an installation, it should be understood that it is not designed for regular operation in the limit mode.

Working conditions

When using a gasoline generator at home, recharging household appliances from it is very convenient. The main thing is that the power of the devices does not exceed the load supplied by the generator. Additional tasks are solved by connecting welding machines and special tools. But in this case, the units generated by the energy must meet certain criteria:

1. Current in amperes. If you need to increase this figure, you should use a larger electrode. For example, a current of 200 A assumes a 4 mm diameter welding electrode. For domestic needs, it will be more than enough. On an industrial scale, it is advisable to use a device that shows an output of 400 A.
2. Depending on the type of current, alternating current devices are in demand, which differ in affordable prices. The disadvantage of their work is the average quality weld. The improved constant voltage models are equipped with a rectifier to provide a smooth arc, but this comes at a cost.

To ensure the operation of low-power electrical appliances, video surveillance and a computer, it is worth using an inverter generator. Such installations are small-sized, characterized by compact dimensions, low weight and low noise level. The economy of the consumed fuel is explained by the ability to regulate the speed of rotation of mechanisms in the engine in accordance with the applied load.

Practice shows that domestic gasoline installations operate at minimum loads about 70% of the time, while they drop the frequency to 1000 rpm. Of the dubious aspects, it is noted that electronic microcircuits fail at starting current.

It is not difficult to understand which gasoline generator is better to choose if you carefully read the characteristics of different models. It is also important to correctly determine the power of household appliances, the duration of their load and the general operating conditions.