Diesel Generator

[Dieselnut59]

I have a customer who just bought 3 diesel generators from a local government surplus sale. They have a single cylinder, air cooled diesel engine made by Robin. I know Robin/Subaru/Fuji are the same company. The engine appears to be around 5-7 horsepower and the generator unit is 3200 watts continuous. It is 120/240v, rated at 12. 5 amp at 240v. It is rope/electric start, has its own charging system and has a 12 volt DC provision for use as a battery charger. They are "well used" but run well. They were used to run the flashing arrow road construction signs. He wants $600 a piece. Does this sound reasonable? I don't "NEED" a generator really, but it can't hurt to have a spare around!

 

[HoleshotHolset]

Interesting...

The roadside gensets I've seen folks talk about online use little Lombardini diesels - so it's good to see more brands out there!



eBay has some pretty good buys on Chinese made diesel gensets... but... ... . they're Chinese. Some folks have issues with that for many different reasons.



I own a "Launtop" brand 5. 5hp diesel engine - 296cc, recoil start, direct injection, single cylinder air-cooled, provisions for alternator/generator and electric start - they're clones of the Yanmar "LA" series. I absolutely love that little engine and would happily buy another... and another.



Who makes the generator head on those gensets? 3200W continuous is a pretty small generator... but a good size for emergencies just to get you by for a while.



Gov't surplus can either be low bid or pretty good stuff - keep that in mind.



Beers,



Matt

 

[Dieselnut59]

I will have to do a little more research on the generator unit. I have a great generator on my Miller welder machine (10,500 watt), so I don't NEED another generator. It appears to be a great little unit. I need to go by and get some more numbers off it. It is in his cluttered shop but I will be going back to his place later this week and will get all the info I can off the unit, the generator part and the engine. It IS a "Made in Japan" Robin engine (not a clone/knock-off). I am not interested in the chinese clones because of quality standards. This unit has auto stop, with low oil shutdown and appears to have the large sump oil pan. Will post more details as I have them.

 

[JFaughn]

Now I need to find a load to get me there , it might cost $400 in fuel round trip to get one of those .

 

[JLEONARD]

3200W continuous is a pretty small generator

Fairly common though for marine applications. I had a 3KW powered by a Lister-Petter single cyl 5. 5 hp diesel. Ran at 3600 rpm though, and sounded like a lawnmower running.

There are also many that use a single cyl Kabota for power.