whisperwatt q power diesel gensets?

[The motor guy]

Anyone ever use these? I'd prefer an older generator that wasn't Tier 4 with a dpf and everything. Anyways, I see a ton of these whisperwatt 25kw generators for sale and they still want a ton of money for them even with several thousand hours. Usually it's a rental company selling them. i've never seen what a brand new one goes for.

 

[Cujet]

I don't know that I'd spend a fortune on one. If I remember correctly they have the 40+HP 4 cylinder turbodiesel Isuzu engine. That's pretty much the same powerplant (variant maybe) as the aircraft Ground Power Units I've used for years. They are great when new, and difficult like so many other types of ground equipment when old. I can't remember any of them making 10,000 hours. Maybe aircraft use is tougher on the engines as they start up and shut down multiple times per day.

As I am sure you know, there are diesel gensets available new for what many people want for used equipment. It may a open configuration without a fuel tank, that kind of thing. What are your needs?

 

[The motor guy]

I don't know that I'd spend a fortune on one. If I remember correctly they have the 40+HP 4 cylinder turbodiesel Isuzu engine. That's pretty much the same powerplant (variant maybe) as the aircraft Ground Power Units I've used for years. They are great when new, and difficult like so many other types of ground equipment when old. I can't remember any of them making 10,000 hours. Maybe aircraft use is tougher on the engines as they start up and shut down multiple times per day.

As I am sure you know, there are diesel gensets available new for what many people want for used equipment. It may a open configuration without a fuel tank, that kind of thing. What are your needs?

Why would they have generators to power planes on the ground?

 

[Cujet]

Why would they have generators to power planes on the ground?

The Gulfstream aircraft I operated were 115V, 400HZ powered. When servicing them, performing maintenance, cleaning, getting ready for a flight or even spending a full day loading databases, the GPU (ground power unit) is essential. They are complex machines, and require quality, steady power.

Running the APU (a small jet engine in the tail) for power is very expensive. Burning about 150 pounds of fuel per hour (not all that much really) but burning up usable life. They cost about $2.2M and last about 2500 hours. The math is not favorable. In real world terms, we could say the APU could cost as much as $1000 per hour to operate. (unless you are on a managed program)

Web pic, but you get the idea. 115V, 400HZ, typically load is about 10 to 20KVA.

I guess what I was trying to say is that those gensets you reference are likely quite good, as long as they have low hours.

 

[maineiac]

I have owned and operated a (pre-emissions) Whisperwatt 20kw unit for years. Before buying it, I contacted several prime power MQ Whisperwatt owners in the Canadian Maritimes (Lodge owners - off grid). Of the owners I contacted, the minimum number of hours on the genset was around 20,000. One standout was at 60,000 hours (!) with no major repairs. All these gensets were powered by the venerable Isuzu 4 cyl diesel (including mine) which is very highly regarded in this application. Mine has about 11,000 hours now and runs like a top. These generators are broadly considered to be among the best gensets made - components (incl. controller, gen-end), wiring, sound attenuation, etc. I can stand right next to mine while it’s running and carry on a normal conversation. IIRC the rating is about 56 db at 23 ft! Only downside is that they are $$$. I have had 3 other commercial quality diesel gensets (a Hi-Power with a Kubota Turbodiesel and a Generac Commercial with a 2.4L Mitsubishi diesel and a Terex diesel unit with the same Isuzu 4). They are nice, reliable units, but just don’t compare in build quality to the MQ.

I would worry not a whit about the hours (within reason). I never experienced any component failure whatsoever and have only performed routine maintenance over the 11,000 hours of run time.

 

[The motor guy]

I have owned and operated a (pre-emissions) Whisperwatt 20kw unit for years. Before buying it, I contacted several prime power MQ Whisperwatt owners in the Canadian Maritimes (Lodge owners - off grid). Of the owners I contacted, the minimum number of hours on the genset was around 20,000. One standout was at 60,000 hours (!) with no major repairs. All these gensets were with the venerable Isuzu 4 cyl diesel (including mine) which is very highly regarded in this application. Mine has about 11,000 hours now and runs like a top. These generators are broadly considered to be among the best gensets made - components (incl. controller, gen-end), wiring, sound attenuation, etc. I can stand right next to mine while it’s running and carry on a normal conversation. IIRC the rating is about 56 db at 23 ft! Only downside is that they are $$$. I have 3 other commercial quality diesel gensets (a Hi-Power with a Kubota Turbodiesel and a Generac Commercial with a 2.4L Mitsubishi diesel. I have also owned a Terex diesel unit with the same Isuzu 4). They are nice, reliable units, but just don’t compare in build quality to the MQ.

I would worry not a whit about the hours (within reason). I never experienced any component failure whatsoever and only performed routine maintenance over the 11,000 hours of run time.

The funny thing is with these whisperwatts is all of them for sale are 2014 models. Tier 4 of course. I can't find older non emissions models

 

[maineiac]

The funny thing is with these whisperwatts is all of them for sale are 2014 models. Tier 4 of course. I can't find older non emissions models

It’s almost certainly too far for you, but there's a fella up here in Maine who sources diesel gensets from southern Telecom Cos and sells them at very reasonable prices. Last time I talked with him, he had a few pre-emissions MQs in stock. I bought my Generac Comm’l unit from him because I wanted the extended run time of the 200 gallon double walled belly tank it was mounted on. It’s a nice basic unit that I’m sure will outlast me, but it’s not an MQ, for sure.

 

[oil pan 4]

Why would they have generators to power planes on the ground?

Lots of reasons. Running the aircrafts on board APU is expensive, they have relatively short lives and they drink fuel.
Ground power units cost tens of thousands of dollars, they can last tens of thousands of hours and cost almost nothing per hour to run.