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Introduction to the Diesel Generator
There are several types of fuels that can be used for generators. It is however seen that the diesel generator is normally the choice of the commercial generator user. This is due to their ability to be both very portable and powerful making them suitable for a wide range of uses. In addition to these features there is also the added benefit of being dependable. The typical diesel generator is run at 1800RPM and is water cooled. This makes them great work horses as they are able to run for longer periods of time when compared to the gasoline generator and without much maintenance work required. They are also cheaper to operate due to the low fuels costs as compared to the other types of fuels such as gasoline and propane as well as the lowered maintenance costs due to there being no spark plugs and carburetors.
The diesel generator operation is similar to that of the diesel engine. There are two types of diesel engines. The 2-stroke and the 4-stroke operation are the two types. The 4-stroke operation is the one that is typically used in diesel generators. This process as the name implies uses four strokes.
The first stroke is the power stroke where a fine mist of diesel is sprayed on top of the piston in the hot compressed air space. The fuel is then ignited and the air on top of the piston expands. This pressure then causes the piston to move down and this motion is converted to a rotary motion by a rod that drives the crankshaft.
The next stroke is the exhaust stroke which is initiated by the momentum of the crankshaft turning and the piston then moves up. The next stroke is the suction stroke and this is when the piston reaches the top and the momentum continues so that the piston reverses in direction. The piston then moves down and the compression stroke is next where the direction of the piston is again changed after the lowest point. This cycle continues for the operation of the diesel generator.
Although the diesel generator is by far the cheaper generator overall it can cost a lot more to set up initially and this can be a deterrent to many generator users. The generators are also not as clean burning as the other fuel generators although this has improved much in recent times. The diesel generators may also require a larger store of fuel but this is much safer to store than gasoline. Another disadvantage of the diesel generator is that it can be a lot more noisy compared to their counterparts.
Many persons however believe that the savings that can be derived from an investment in the diesel generator are indeed well worth the disadvantages. The savings in fuel and maintenance are immense and the hassle free maintenance is a great plus. This is the reason many commercial generator users opt for the diesel generator. Diesel generators are available in mainly larger designs but can also be found on occasion in smaller units.
About the Author: John Stafford is the webmaster and a contributor for http://www.diesel-generator-central.com and http://www.diesel-performance-pros.com
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