How to Buy A Used Portable Diesel Generator That Is Ideal For Your Needs

Buying used portable diesel generators can be a tricky thing for most business owners but doesn’t have to be as complicated as it might seem at first. In this guide, we’ll go over what you need to know in order to figure out which used portable diesel generators for sale best suits you and how you can go about finding them.

Determine the Size and Power Requirements of the Generator You Need

Generator Efficiency

Depending on what the size of the space is that you need to power will determine how large a used diesel generator you will need to use. As a common reference, the larger your space, the more energy output will be required to power it. As a result, you will need a generator with greater efficiency to power a large space as opposed to a smaller one.

How Many Hours/Week or Hours/Day Do You Plan to Use It For?

Do you plan to use the generator only as a back up when your first method of power goes out? Or do you plan to use it as the main source of power for your business? Knowing this will better inform you of the power requirements needed by your generator. If you plan to purchase a generator to use as a main source of power, you’ll want to closely take stock of how energy efficient is so as to save costs as well as have a lower eco-footprint from the generator output.

Understand the Previous History of the Diesel Generator

Generator Age and Condition

If you plan on purchasing used diesel generators, then it will be wise to know how old the generator is and how many hours it has been used for. Most generators that have only been used for 500 hours or less are typically still in great working condition. On the other hand, the closer you get to the 1000 hour mark, the more likely you might be facing some sort of breakdown that requires an overhaul. Additionally, you should be cautious around generators that have been in use for more than two decades since technology has changed drastically in the time they were at their prime working condition.

What the Previous Owner Used It For

Before making a substantial financial expenditure, you’ll want to know what the previous owner used the diesel generator for. Even though it might have less than 250 hours on it, these hours may have taken quite a bit of energy out of the generator and it now needs an overhaul. Failing to see what the previous owner used the generator for can have you scratching your head at why a fairly new generator isn’t working properly.

Operating Conditions It Has Been Exposed To

If you are purchasing a generator that was used to power a restaurant in New Orleans to heat your cabin facility in the middle of Vermont, while you may be getting a good deal, this generator might now be the right one for you since it doesn’t have the energy efficiency to power cabins in harsher weather conditions.