The final output is always decided from your actual loads. These guidelines give you a starting point.
Summary
| Use | Common output | Look at |
|---|---|---|
| House (standby) | 10 to 30 kW | Perkins 10, 15, 20 or 30 kW |
| Cottage or off-grid site | depends on loads | Perkins 20 to 60 kW (400 L tank) |
| Small business | 40 to 60 kW | Perkins 40, 50 or 60 kW |
| Farm | 40 to 100 kW | Perkins 40 to 100 kW, often in 347/600 V |
| Sugar shack | depends on pumps and reverse osmosis | work it out from the nameplates |
| Business, building, job site | 80 to 100 kW | Perkins 80 or 100 kW |
| Mining or logging camp, outfitter | depends on loads | Perkins, 24-hour duty |
| Mobile spray-foam insulation rig | 30 or 40 kW | Yanmar 30 or 40 kW, Tier 4 Final |
| Industry | 150 kW and up | Perkins 150 kW; 200 to 400 kW on request |
House: keep the essential circuits running
For heating, the well pump, the fridge and lighting, we most often see 15 to 30 kW. The Perkins 10 kW ($12,500) suits smaller needs, in 120/240 V. The 15 to 30 kW models cost $16,000 to $26,000, in a sound-attenuated enclosure. First check what needs to run at the same time: our guide How to choose a generator’s output shows how to make the list.
Cottage or off-grid site: the generator runs every day
Here, the generator becomes the main power source. All our generators are designed for heavy-duty use, 24 hours a day: that is normal duty for them. What matters is daily fuel use and tank size: the 20 to 60 kW Perkins models have a 400 L tank. Read: How much diesel does a generator burn and Standby or prime power.
Farm: ventilation, milking, water, heating
Farms often look at 40 to 100 kW, depending on the motors to start: fans, pumps, compressors. Many farm buildings run on 347/600 V three-phase, and our 15 to 150 kW Perkins models are available in it at the same price as 120/240 V. Check the voltage on your panel’s nameplate. Read: Farm generator: stationary diesel or PTO and Agricultural generators.
Sugar shack: the season does not forgive outages
Vacuum pumps, reverse osmosis and sugar-shack equipment: the output depends on your motors. Note the power and voltage on each nameplate and send us the list. The block heater, included on all our models, helps the generator start on cold spring nights.
Business and building: protect sales and refrigeration
A small business often looks at 40 to 60 kW ($29,000 to $35,000). A larger business or a building, 80 to 100 kW ($39,000 and $44,000). Count refrigeration, ventilation, cash registers and lighting. Read: Commercial backup generators.
Job site: your own machine instead of a rental
Job sites often need 80 to 100 kW. Solution NRJ sells new generators: we do not rent. To compare both options, read Rent or buy a job-site generator and Construction site generators.
Mining or logging camp, outfitter: far from everything
Up north, the generator powers everything, every day. Look at the camp’s total load, daily fuel use and ease of maintenance: Perkins engine, original Stamford alternator, Deep Sea controller. Read: Mining camp generators.
Mobile spray-foam insulation rig: the Yanmar
For spray-foam insulation trucks, we offer two open Yanmar units, EPA Tier 4 Final certified with a diesel particulate filter: 30 kW at $31,000 and 40 kW at $34,000, with a 200 L tank. Read: Yanmar generators.
Industry: 150 kW and up
The Perkins 150 kW costs $49,000. The 200, 300 and 400 kW are available on request.
Whatever the use
- Every generator is load-bank tested for 2 hours, from 10% to 110%, then adjusted and ready to use.
- Original Stamford alternator and Deep Sea DSE 6120 controller.
- Warranty: 1 year or 1,500 hours.
- Block heater and battery charger included.
- Prices in Canadian dollars, before taxes, shown for every model.
Frequently asked questions
What size generator for a house?
Most often 15 to 30 kW for the essential circuits. The right output is worked out from the list of what must run at the same time.
Which generator for a farm?
Farms often look at 40 to 100 kW, depending on the motors to start. Our 15 to 150 kW Perkins models are available in 347/600 V three-phase at the same price.
Can a diesel generator power a cottage every day?
Yes. Our generators are designed for heavy-duty use, 24 hours a day. Plan for daily diesel use.
Also read: How much diesel does a generator burn? · Diesel generators for sale in Quebec