So that you can gain the very best understanding of how to save generator fuel, the specialists at Vital Power have pooled their expertise within the industry to create this guide on reducing fuel consumption for diesel generators.
It might sound obvious, but simply performing regular generator maintenance can not only help decrease fuel consumption, but can also assist with the overall performance. Of course, maintenance and servicing will allow you to identify, repair or prevent any issues, which could be a root cause of an increase in fuel consumption.
It’s also vital that any spare generator parts or components that you purchase are sourced from dependable and approved suppliers. Good quality materials will save money both on repairs and fuel. So, take care to avoid faulty, damaged or broken parts that will simply become an issue in the future and potentially increase fuel consumption once again.
Overloading the generator a greater than recommended demand for power will, of course, ultimately require an increase in fuel consumption. This can then damage the generator much more, and potentially cause further issues that will result in an overall decrease in performance and fuel consumption rate.
To ensure you use the correct load with your generator, Vital Power offers load bank testing services to take the stress away.
On the other end of the spectrum, you should also avoid underloading the generator. If you operate a diesel generator at less than 50% load, you could be at risk of using an increase of fuel as your generator may struggle to reach the maximum operating temperature easily. This will then increase the fuel consumption, as well as leading to other issues such as short product life span.
During the combustion phase of the generator, components including the diesel fuel and oil begin to heat up extensively. This causes ash carbon polymer to be attached to the valve, valve set, injector, piston top and much more.
Often, these carbon deposits are the root source of the black smoke that is traditionally associated with diesel engines, though it can also result in increased consumption for fuel.
Because of this, it’s always advised that you have the carbon deposits removed from the generator, as well as making sure you regularly clean the whole of the generator where possible. At Vital Power we offer fuel tank cleaning and more to keep your machinery in top condition and powering efficiently.
So that the combustion of the diesel is efficient, you need to ensure the generator’s operating temperature is kept at the correct level. If the cooling water is at the wrong temperature, it can often result in incomplete combustion. This in turn will further lead to an increase in fuel, which can easily be avoided by checking temperatures before operation.
Before you purchase your backup generator, you should be fully aware of all the energy requirements you have so that you can purchase a generator that is suited for your specific needs. This is vital for guaranteeing that you will not overload or under utilise the generator, which will influence the fuel consumption as mentioned above.
If you are currently unaware of your power requirements, then it’s always recommended that you ask an expert to take a look at your power needs before you purchase a generator. Vital Power offers contingency power plans, where we can assess your requirements and provide a tailored plan to minimise any risks to your power supply, budget or business.
For more advice on choosing the right generator and ensuring your power supply is efficient, contact Vital Power today.
2022-11-02
11 Ways to reduce generator fuel consumption
When your generator is installed, serviced, plugged in, and running without a hitch, you'll soon start to face common challenges. Your generator isn't going to be fuel efficient, consuming fuel so fast that you can barely keep it full when you need it.
To reduce your generator's fuel consumption, you need to maintain the generator, provide it with fresh air to burn, and ensure the coolant is at the right temperature. In addition, you must use the machine only when needed while ensuring that the machine is never under or overloaded.
In principle, doing this sounds relatively easy; however, knowing the proper temperature when the machine is under excessive load or when to use it requires some knowledge. We recommend that you become familiar with the basics of achieving maximum efficiency.
Reducing fuel consumption can help us in two ways.
Depending on your region, running a generator set is very expensive. The approximate fuel consumption of an 8kW/10kVA diesel generator at full load is about 2.4 litres/hour. Usually, this is not the case. Actual daily usage often exceeds the average by a considerable amount.
On average, burning a gallon of diesel emits 10,084 grams of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. That number gets even scarier when multiplied by the number of power plants operating worldwide. Using less fuel means fewer harmful gases are released into our atmosphere. This way, we breathe cleaner air, which helps improve our quality of life.
Having said all that, let's see how to reduce generator fuel consumption.
While servicing the generator will quickly help ensure it remains fuel efficient at all times, you need to do further work to help the generator work better. When using generators, there are several things you can do to make generators run more efficiently.
Proper use of a generator while running will allow it to use less fuel overall, and many owners mistakenly think they can run their machines without paying attention. However, it must be noted that the generator will function correctly if you use it for its intended purpose.
Here are eleven ways to reduce generator fuel consumption.
Running only the necessary equipment reduces the fuel consumption of the generator. This will help reduce fuel consumption by ensuring the generator is only used when necessary.
Additionally, it is critical to ensure that the generator is properly maintained and all filters are clean. If these modifications are made, the generator will be more efficient and consume less fuel.
Regular servicing of your generator will help you reduce fuel consumption. By servicing your generator, you can ensure it runs efficiently and uses less fuel.
You can do a few things to service your generator and reduce your fuel consumption.
a) Make sure you have the right fuel for your generator. If you use the wrong type of fuel, it can cause your generator to use too much fuel.
b) Change the oil regularly. Over time, oil degrades and may result in increased fuel consumption from your generator.
c) The air filter should be checked. You can increase the fuel consumption of your generator by cleaning the air filter. You should provide professional service for your generator.
3. Do not run the generator below 50% load
If you want to reduce fuel consumption, avoid running generators at less than 50% load. The engine has to work harder to produce the same power, resulting in increased fuel consumption.
Timely removal of carbon deposits is the main way to reduce the fuel consumption of generators. Over time, carbon builds up on the generator, and if not removed, they cause the generator to work harder and use more fuel. The generator must be checked regularly for carbon deposits and removed as soon as possible.
On-time service and with genuine replacement parts
It's no secret that fuel costs for generators can be pretty high. A few things can be done to aid in lowering these expenditures.
First of all, it is crucial to ensure that the generator is serviced on time. By doing this, you will be able to ensure that it runs efficiently and consumes as little fuel as possible.
Also, using genuine replacement parts will help reduce fuel consumption. By using components designed for generators, it will run smoother and use less fuel overall.
Using an alternative power source can significantly reduce the generator's fuel consumption. An example might be solar panels, which generate electricity that can be used to power generators. This will reduce the amount of generator fuel required to generate electricity.
Fuel consumption is a crucial factor to take into account when selecting a generator set. There are several ways to reduce fuel consumption, such as selecting a high-quality unit and properly operating the generator.
A high-quality generator set will have a lower fuel consumption rate than a low-quality one. This is because high-quality units are more efficient and use less fuel to produce the same power.
Proper operation of the generator also helps reduce fuel consumption. This means following the manufacturer's instructions for operating the generator and using it in the most efficient way possible.
Never overloading the generator is one approach to lower fuel usage. This can be achieved by matching the generator's output capacity to its load.
For example, if a generator with a capacity of 5,000 watts will power two 1,500-watt air conditioners, the total generator load will be 3,000 watts. As a result, the generator is not overloaded and does not work harder than necessary, reducing fuel consumption.
This is one of the most obvious reasons. Proper ventilation ensures fresh oxygen in the combustion chamber, resulting in proper and complete combustion of the air-fuel mixture.
If the generator doesn't get enough fresh oxygen, the engine consumes more fuel and becomes less efficient.
You may have noticed that generators at sea level work more efficiently than those on the mountains. The more the fresh oxygen generator consumes, the less fuel it burns.
A generator during the combustion phase has all components, including diesel and oil, begin to heat up considerably, causing the grey carbon polymer to adhere to valves, valve banks, injectors, piston tops, and more. Often this will be the source of the black smoke traditionally associated with diesel engines, although it can also contribute to fuel consumption.
Therefore, removing carbon deposits from the generator and cleaning the entire generator as much as possible is always recommended. There are several ways to facilitate this; some of the most common include chemical solutions and hand washing of each component. However, it is best to communicate with the generator manufacturer beforehand to ensure an accurate cleaning process.
For efficient combustion of diesel fuel, the cooling water temperature must reach the correct standard. If the water temperature is incorrect or meets certain conditions, it will often result in incomplete combustion, leading to increased fuel, which is easily avoided.
What are the factors that affect the fuel consumption of generators?
Several factors affect the fuel consumption of a generator.
a) The generator brand may be a factor, as some brands are more fuel efficient than others.
b) The life of the generator also affects fuel consumption, as new generators tend to be more fuel efficient than older ones.
c) Due to their smaller size, smaller generators generally consume less fuel than larger generators.
d) The amount of load or electricity output by the generator also affects fuel consumption.
e) The amount of items that need to be powered by the generator also affects fuel consumption, as more items will require more electricity and therefore use more fuel.
f) Finally, the maintenance of the generator also affects fuel consumption. A poorly maintained generator will consume more fuel than a well-maintained generator.
Note that when the generator is used for a larger load, the fuel consumption will be higher. When used for loads below 50%, fuel consumption is significantly reduced. The generator is a reliable backup power source when the regular supply is interrupted.
2) Does the generator use more gas when plugged in?
If you don't run the generator beyond its capacity, increased load translates into more power and fuel.
Generators follow the rules of internal combustion engines - they must have a certain load attached to function properly. Running a generator under low or no load conditions can have a range of results that can cause problems, from inefficient operation to severe damage or complete failure.
There is no magic way to improve fuel efficiency; unlike car engines, these machines are already as efficient as possible. Adding turbines or other components to a generator may help with short-term efficiency but can significantly harm the machine's overall lifespan.
The only way to ensure your machine is always running at its best is to ensure it has a good fuel supply and fresh air and is well maintained. This will make it easy to ensure the machine is running correctly when you need to use it and allow it to run as needed.
We've seen many generators barely start before repairs, use almost twice as much fuel as they need, and run fine after repairs. A machine that has not been serviced for a period of time will only work effectively when it is serviced.
No engine on earth is 100% efficient, and only a few recent engines have achieved nearly 35% efficiency. The challenge is that converting the potential energy in the gas into electricity produces many byproducts that absorb the potential energy.
This means that the movement of the piston, the combustion of the fuel, and ultimately the movement of the electric motor to generate electricity all absorb energy. The engine gets hot due to the energy generated during the combustion process, and the wires also absorb the heat.
Just the fact that electricity enters your house through copper wires will cause some power loss. That's why running a cooler engine is so popular; an engine that needs almost no external heat is so amazing. However, internal combustion cannot be 100% efficient.
Generators are most efficient at 75% load. This means the generator produces the most power when running at 75% capacity.
The load increases the efficiency of the generator. This is due to the fact that when operating at higher loads, the generator can use the fuel it uses more effectively.
Purchasing a generator is a major investment. Using the tips above, when it comes to lowering generator fuel consumption, you can be confident that you're making the best choice for your company. You will also help protect the environment by reducing emissions and saving fuel. If you are still confused about "how to reduce generator fuel consumption", you can contact us for guidance.
As one of China's highest-rated fast-growing generator suppliers, BISON is loved by many thanks to the wide range of generators we sell that are sure to exceed in terms of fuel consumption and overall performance.
Want to learn more? If you have the chance, be sure to visit our website. Or, if you would like to contact our support line with any questions about our products or your current generator, please do not hesitate to give us a call.