Diesel Generator Frequently Asked Questions

Why buy a Diesel Generator?
Diesel generators are more reliable. The easiest way for me to explain it is this. Diesel fuel is basically a light-grade oil. Inside any internal combustion engine, there are many moving parts that create friction. Gasoline and propane are solvent-based fuels which promote friction and wear. Diesel, being a lubricant, reduces friction and wear. If you ever need to do work on a Diesel engine, they are simple. All you need to make a Diesel run is air-compression and fuel. Diesels don’t need sophisticated (and failure-prone) ignition systems; no spark plugs, no points and no carburetor!

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How long will a Diesel Generator last?
With proper maintenance, a high-quality Diesel Generator will last indefinitely. It is important to change the oil regularly and keep the air filter clean. Clean fuel is extremely important.

What about the generator end. How long will it last?
Although it is often referred to as a generator or alternator, we only use brushless alternators. The beauty of a brushless alternator is that it only has one wear item – a sealed ball-bearing that is rated for 100,000 hours.

Do you offer tools or assistance sizing a generator for my needs?
Absolutely, Hardy offers generator sizing, power calculators and conversion tools for estimating in addition to providing general input on your generator sizing and product selections. However, nothing can replace an on-site visit by a local licensed electrical contractor to help understand your power needs, voltage requirements, installation, distances, wire size, voltage drop, elevation, and more.

What about RPM Diesel Generators. Why are they cheaper?
RPM Diesel Generators are sometimes referred to as portable or throw-away Diesel Generators. They get their power from speed rather than displacement. For that reason, they weigh less than half of an RPM Diesel Engine. The alternator on a RPM Diesel generator spins twice as fast so it can get by with less than half of the copper of an RPM alternator. Due to the higher engine speed, these RPM generators wear out much sooner.

Can I run my Diesel Generator on biodiesel or other alternative fuels?
Yes, a Diesel Generator will run on almost any type of oil. They will run on anything from used motor oil, vegetable oil, refined biodiesel, you name it. Now, should you run your Diesel Generator on any oil-based substance it will run on? If it’s an emergency and this is the only fuel, yes. However, make sure it is clean and has been processed properly to ensure it does not harm your engine, injectors, or filtration system. If it is not an emergency, select your diesel fuel alternatives carefully.

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Why should I buy my Diesel Generator from Hardy Diesel?
We have been selling quality Diesel Generators wholesale direct since . We have learned a lot during this period of time. Some things can be learned in books. Competing successfully in the wholesale generator business is not one of those things. During the last 40+ years, we have seen a lot of mail-order and online Diesel Generator companies come and go, and when they fail, they leave a trail of unhappy customers in their wake. What differentiates Hardy Diesel from our competitors is that we provide well-engineered, high-quality systems at a reasonable price.

How do we manage to provide superior products at such affordable prices?
Hardy Diesel is privately owned, U.S. based company and we continue to do business as we did when we started in . We have no fancy showroom and pay no rent. Another advantage: no one at Hardy has ever figured out how to wear more than one pair of pants at a time! Low overhead is the key.

Does Hardy Diesel sell generator sets made with engines or generators from China or India?
No, although we have nothing against these countries or the people who live and work there, we do not use their products in our systems. Trust us, we have tried all of them and there are many problems associated with diesel engines and generator sets from those nations. Sure, the price is attractive and they’ve found ways to skirt around U.S. environmental laws, but in the final analysis, it’s just not worth the risk to your business, family, livestock, or home. Do yourself a favor and don’t support the companies who pedal this gear; they care so little about the safety and satisfaction of their customers and they give our industry a bad name!

Why do some companies advertise slow diesel generators with RPM alternators on them?
RPM alternators are very cheap to buy. With belt-drive, you can slow an engine down below RPM and speed up a generator to RPM and still get 60Hz. We don’t resort to short-cuts like this. Belt-drive, in itself, is okay if properly tensioned, however, we would never couple a slow diesel to a RPM alternator because they are capacitor-regulated and often fail. Two-pole or RPM alternators are sometimes referred to as “throw-aways” because when they fail, they are simply not worth rebuilding. Capacitor-regulated alternators also have a very low motor-starting ability. We recommend you avoid these types of Diesel Generator Sets and the companies who sell them.

Can you explain kilowatts (kW) as it relate to diesel generators?
Diesel generator kW (k= W= Watt) is typically produced at lower RPMs. Example 8kW = Watts. It takes 1.5 horsepower to make one kW. Turning at a slow RPM a Diesel Generator kW requires large displacement. Most gas and even some Diesel Generators run at RPM. These are considered high speed throw away generators. The initial cost on these are low, however, they ware out quickly and are not worth fixing. We only sell Diesel Generators that run at RPM. Diesel generator kW produced from RPM engines and generators last almost indefinitely. That is why they are sometimes referred to as investment grade.

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I know I am going to get tons of merc owners who are going to say no stay away, but I am interested in other volvo owners. Thanks for all your help.

Howdy,

Welcome aboard!

There really is a problem with parts availability for the FOMOCO (Volvo and OMC) EFI engines. Other "wear" parts like manifold and risers etc are going to be generally available but will cost more. Ford engines were abandoned for stern drive use in the 90's This doesn't mean they're less reliable than any other engine. It only means that certain parts are simply not made anymore. This causes a lot of repair facilities to shy away from them. They want to satisfy you . They don't want you mad at them because they can't (or won't) fix them

As far as Volvo vs Mercruiser, that's a different issue. For every Volvo powered boat sold in the US, Mercury Marine sell far more Mercruiser powered boats. It's not because they're "better" (in fact some think Volvo is better...but they're biased......they own Volvos!!)

I went through the same process when I removed my previously installed OMC (Ford 460) + King Kobra drive.

I looked specifically for a Big Block (GM) Volvo Penta engine and drive to replace the OMC Cobra.

Back then, I considered even buying new packages and found that similarly sized engines and drives were similarly priced. That is, the Volvo 496 + Duo-Prop AND the Mercruiser 496+ Bravo III packages were about $25,000 in round numbers. (Plus install, tax etc)

Since it wasn't worth putting a new engine in a nearly 20 year old boat (no matter what condition it was in) I started looking for used "pulls" (I.E. good engines and drives in damaged boats)

Over a several month period up here in the Pacific Northwest (including Portland OR) , I found several complete Mercruiser eng/drive packages ranging from 5.7L to 8.2L Bravo I, II, III that were suitable for my 21ft boat, ranging from $ to about $ with various hours etc.

I found NO similar Volvo engine/drive packages at all. None.

At the same time I was checking eBay for similar engine/drive combos and although I did find a few Volvo packages it was only a few and they were simply too far away. (I didn't really want to buy something I couldn't check out first)

I also observed that at any given time, there was approx 3 times more Mercruiser engines, drives, parts and accessories etc on eBay than Volvo [Right now Volvo: approx results, Mercruiser: 71,000]

It appeared to me that since I was going to be the one fixing my boat when something failed, I wanted to stack the deck in my favor when looking for parts new or used etc.

I ended up buying the engine and drive I have now ( 454/Bravo III)

Understand, if I had initially found a Volvo engine and drive, I probably would have bought it. After I bought the engine and drive, I continued to look and found more Mercruiser engines and drives. (even found a late model 425hp 496/Bravo III setup I could have probably gotten for about $ (should have bought it anyway but didn't)

So my "vote" would be DO NOT BUY a boat with a 90's (OMC or Volvo) Ford EFI engine under any circumstances.

And this is NOT a Volvo vs Merc thing..........

If it's carbureted, I wouldn't get it either (Ford engine)

Any other Volvo (GM) is fine. The (SX) drives are fine (from about -ON) It's just that if you want to scrounge parts to fix it yourself, and you use eBay, craigslist etc, you'll find Mercruiser parts more plentiful.

If you're just going to go to the Volvo Dealer for parts, you will not have any problem finding parts. (Just take out mortgage on your house first! Getting OEM parts for either Merc or Volvo will always be more expensive than scrounging used parts........but it will always be easier to find used Merc parts )


Good luck,

Rick