10 Facts You Should Know About Diesel Fuel Tanks For Standby Generators
Did you know that most diesel fuel tanks for standby generators are not designed to hold more than about a day’s worth of fuel? If you’re unlucky enough to lose power during an emergency or natural disaster, there’s a strong chance that your generator will run out of juice before the problem is resolved.
You may be considering a diesel-powered standby generator for your home. If so, you should know about the various fuel tanks on offer and what they are best for. There’s no one size fits all option but here is some information to get you started.
In this article, we’ll be looking at 10 facts about diesel fuel tanks for standby generators that you should know. Diesel fuel is one of the most common fuels used to power generator engines and more than likely, your home’s backup generator will have a diesel engine.
1. Diesel-fueled Generators Are A Common Source Of Emergency Power For Many Places.
These invaluable machines allow companies to maintain business, hospitals stay open and run on life support systems, schools keep the lights on despite blackouts or natural disasters—all without any electricity at all from their local grid.
2. Fuel Tanks Are Not Created Equal, and They Come In Many Different Sizes.
For example, a sub-base fuel tank is the most popular for backup generators because it’s positioned directly on top of the fuel tank which can range from 8 inches to 40 inches.
3. Sub-base Tanks Are The Ideal Solution For Establishments That Don’t Have Room To Store 1,000 Gallons Of Gasoline.
These containers fit below ground and above a generator set’s foundation because they’re rectangular in shape. Double-walled sub-base tanks include level gauges, emergency pressure release valves, air vents—even an option for water cooling at no extra cost!
4. A Diesel Engine And An Electric Generator Are The Key Components In A Standard, Fuel-driven Power Plant.
The mechanical energy of the bullet vibrates at high speeds inside on its way to generating electricity as it spins around between two metal coils situated within what is known as a stator that sits outside of where we find the rotor.
5. A Diesel Engine Is A Robust Machine With Many Moving Parts.
It consists of the cooling system, starting system, speed control system, and more to make it work smoothly.
6. Data From The Generator’s Fuel Consumption At 100% Load Is Used To Determine How Long It Can Run Before Refueling.
When choosing a tank size, keep in mind that generators seldom operate full capacity and thus will likely exceed 24 hours of operation without requiring another fill-up.
7. For A Generator To Run For 12 Hours, Or Even Just Three Days (72-hours), It Needs An Enormous Fuel Tank That Can Hold Enough Gas.
A 36” tall fuel tank is the perfect size if you want your view of the generator control panel at eye level without having to use any tools like steps and ladders. If they need a permanent platform around their unit because they have such high tanks, this may be due in part to how easy maintenance will be with no step stool needed every time there’s something wrong going on down below!
8. The Run-time For A Backup Generator Can Differ From Place To Place.
Local regulations in some places, such as the requirement that generators have at least 72 hours of fuel to provide power during critical life-saving situations, are different than other places’ requirements.
9. The Us Has Stringent Requirements For The Safety Of Stationary Generators.
UL142 is one such standard but does not cover spill-protection which must be covered by a more robust design given environmental and projectile threats to tanks storing gasoline or diesel fuel.
10. Diesel Fuel Is Often Mixed To Accommodate Local Weather Conditions.
For instance, in areas with a low risk of gelling and cooler temperatures like the north, #1 diesel will typically be used whereas warmer regions where it’s less likely to gel may use a blend that includes both types or even just #2 diesel.
It’s not easy to decide which fuel tank is best for your diesel-powered standby generator. There are a lot of factors that come into play and it can be hard to know where to start when looking at the various options on offer. That said, we hope this information has been helpful in some way. If you want more help or have any questions about what type of fuel tank will work best with your needs, please don’t hesitate to contact us!
