Daihatsu Engines

[DIESELMAN]

I am preparing some new generators for some pretty severe climates and I have been recommended the use of Daihatsu engines. These are 3 Cylinder engines similar to the Lister/Petter engines that I am more familiar with.



Anyone have comment on these little engines that might??



A further note, this application is for Spark/Propane instead of diesel, but these are the same engines otherwise as the diesels.

 

[mazdarotary]

Severe as in hot or severe as in cold?I would imagine it makes a difference. I see you are in AZ,but Flagstaff gets plenty of snow,right?I can't help you with the Daihatsu question,but I do know the generator manufacturer we use out of San Diego uses some Mazda 1. 3 litre Rotary engines running on propane for remote applications of pump,and compressors,and such. They tell me they are a great engine(which I already knew).

 

[cmills]

I don't know what size engine you are talking about but, I have an Exmark mower with a three cylinder Daihatsu diesel on it that is 27 hp it only has about 700hrs on it and I've not had any engine problems at all, also the engine is very fuel efficient.



so all in all it has been an excellent engine.

 

[southpaw]

Dieselman , any update on the Daihatsu engine? I to have wondered about using one for generator power I do know that Skagg 0 turn uses them in their largecommercial applications and I remember seeing a few of their cars here about 5 yrs ago . I think they are a good unit but how good is the service and parts?

 

[DIESELMAN]

We've been looking for a failure, haven't found one yet. Frequently seeing these at 2000+ Hours on Propane, 500+ hour oil changes and they just keep trucking. These are similar to the Lister/Petter and seem to be quite tough.



Severe? Arctic Circle at 5000 ft / Sonaran Desert at 200 ft. We use the Lister engine for DC generators allowing them to run slow, thinking of using the Daihatsu as they have even higher reliability. Several candidate projects are under way.



Nothing but good so far.