Some additional info on gas vs. diesel generators on boats.
*Diesels are safer from the standpoint of explosions as diesel oil vapors are not explosive.
*Gas generators are responsible for most instances of CO poisoning.
*Diesel exhaust produces far less CO than gas exhaust, though diesel exhaust produces suphur dioxide that can quickly cause nausea, but is not life threatening. If you plan to do much overighting at anchor with a generator running, diesel is definitely the way to go.
*With heavy use, a diesel powered genny will outlast a gas powered equivalent.
* Diesel generators last far longer than gas generators. To get diesel fuel to burn requires much higher compression than a gasoline engine so the block, crankshaft and cylinder heads of a diesel engine are made heavier than a similarly sized gasoline engine. But despite the higher pressures of a diesel engine, these heavier parts simply last longer.
* Diesel generators have better fuel consumption than gas. Diesel fuel has a much higher energy content per gallon than gasoline. Given the similar efficiencies of the two engine technologies, the diesel engine burns fewer gallons of fuel for the same power output.
* An 1800 rpm water cooled diesel unit operates for 12,000 to 30,000 hours before any major maintenance is necessary. An 1800 rpm water cooled gas unit usually operates for 6000-10,000 hours before it needs servicing.
* Gas units burn hotter than diesel units, and hence they have a significantly shorter life compared with diesel units.
In a side by side test at last years' Ft. Lauderdale Boat Show, there was a test of one of these genny's up against a Kohler gas powered genny of similar power. I forget the actual db readings , but the diesel unit was significantly quieter. Many builders are switching to diesel these days, and now with this compact design, boaters with limited space can also take advantage of the benefits as well.
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