Many buyers are at a loss when it comes to buying a generating set. There are many parameters to take into account and an expert is often called in to help choose the right generator. With a competent supplier, buying can also be a pleasant and educational experience instead of a stressful and confusing one.

Here are some questions and information to help you buy a generator.

It's important to remember that a genset is an investment for you or your company. You need to make an informed choice and take the time to choose the right power.

The guarantee is dependent on good dimensioning in partnership with the country representative of the chosen brand and transparency on the part of the customer regarding future use and installations.

1 - Questionnaire

1.1 - For which application?

1. Apartment ?
2. Home?
3. Offices?
4. Factory?
5. Portable?
6. Small for emergencies?
7. Camping?
8. Permanent use?
9. Automatic system?
10. Location?
11. Diesel?
12. Petrol?
13. Hybrid with solar or batteries?

1.2 - For what power?

Here's a rough guide to power ratings. If you don't know, give details of the equipment used, the number of inhabitants or employees, the number of offices, the number of air conditioners, etc. The best thing would be to let an expert come and measure the load per phase over 24 hours with a measuring tool (load analyser):

1. Portable back-up = 2-5 kVA
2. 1 bedroom apartment = 10 kVA
3. 3-bedroom house = 30 kVA
4. Offices 2 floors = 60 kVA
5. 3-storey building = 200 kVA

1.2.1 - Note 1 : Minimum load 30%

The genset should never be run at less than 30% of its maximum load to protect the engine against cylinder glazing. Nor should the load exceed 90% of rated power for more than one hour.

1.2.2 - Note 2: Power types

Figure 1 - The Wilson P50 FG generator has two power ratings: Prime at 45 kVA (maximum 70% for 500 hours per year) and Standby 50 kVA (maximum for 1 hour).

There are three types of power to specify when choosing a generating set:

" 

1. Standby: with a variable load, operates for the duration of the normal power cut, with an average standby power of 70%, up to 500 h per year. This device has no overload rating.
2. Peak or Prime: with a variable load operating for an unlimited period, with an average power of 70% of the main rating, a peak demand of 100% of the main rating with an overload capacity of 10% for 1 hour in 12, not exceeding 25 hours per year.
3. Continuous or Continue: with a constant load, the generator runs for an unlimited time, with an average of 70% to 100% of continuous power, peak demand of 100% of continuous power for all operating hours. No overload rating.

"

From the Consulting Specifying Engineers website: https://www.csemag.com/articles/generator-ratings/

You must always specify the power you are talking about, as there is a difference of 30% between Standby and Continuous power.

It's always better to slightly overestimate the load by 10% because the generating set will be useful in the near future and will therefore have to accommodate any increase in load due to the use or extension of the premises.

1.2.3 - Note 3: Design factors

"The critical parameters for sizing a generator all start with the load to be served. These parameters include:

1. the size of the load in kW and kVA;
2. the maximum permissible voltage and frequency dips that the load can withstand;
3. the type of load, such as motors, lighting, UPS, VFD, etc.
4. the nature of the service expected from the generator, i.e. is it an emergency power application or is the generator the only source of power for this load;
5. any reserve capacity requirements for future loads; and, of course,
6. voltage, phase and frequency requirements.

All these parameters can affect the sizing of the generator.

From the website : CSE link

1.2.3 - Note 4: Equipment starting power

Sizing must also take into account the current demand when electrical equipment is started up.

For example, if an air conditioner requires 15 kVA when it starts up because it has a compressor, but after it starts up it consumes around 5 kVA, you need to choose a genset that can handle the 15 kVA, not just the 5 kVA! Otherwise, the unit will never be able to start the air conditioner in question!

It's very important to know how much current your installations need!

Equipment with reactive loads is particularly problematic, for example:

• Water pumps
• Compressors
• Industrial air conditioners
• Rechargeable batteries
• Electric motors
• Sensitive electronic equipment
• Industrial mixers

Note: "The soft starter avoids load peaks when starting asynchronous motors, which result in high inrush current, current peaks and significant mechanical wear". Weg link

1.3 - Which brands?

There are many makes of diesel engine. Here are just a few:

ABC, ACME, ADIM, AEC, Ailsa Craig, Akasaka, Alco, Allen, Allis Chalmers, Allison, Alpha, Alstom, AMC, Andoria, Arrow, Audi, AVL, B & W, BaudouinBazan, Bedford, Belarus, Bergen, Beta Marine, Blackstone, BMC, BMWBolnes, Briggs & Stratton VanguardBrons, Buda, Bugatti Marine, Bukh, Burmeister & Wain, C M D, Case, CaterpillarChangfa, Changtong, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Citroen, Clark, Cleveland, Coltec, Continental, Cooper, CRM, CumminsDaedong, DaewooDAF, Daihatsu, Daimler, DaimlerChrysler, DEK, Detroit, Deutz, Deutz / Sykes Pump, DGRA, Dimin, DMR, Doosan, Dorman, ELGI, EMD, Enfield, Enterprise, Fageol Leyland, Fairbanks Morse, Farymann, Federal Mogul, Fiat, FNM, Foden, Ford, Foton, FP, Gardner, GDF, GE Jenbacher, General Electric, General Motors, GMT, Guascor, Hanomag, Hanshin, HatzHedemora, Henschel, Hercules, Hino, Hitachi, Holeby, HondaHupeh, HyundaiInternational, Iseki, Isotta Fraschini, Isuzu, Iveco, JCB, JICEC, Jinan, John DeereKahlenberg, Kelvin, Kilo-Pak, Kingfisher, KirloskarKohler, Kolomna, Komatsu, KubotaLamborghini, Land Rover, Launtop, Lehman, Leyland, Liebherr, Lille Crepelle, Lister, Lister-PetterLomatec, Lombardini, Lovol, Lugger, Mack, MaK, MANMAN B&W, Manises, MarineDiesel USA, MAZDA, Mercedes, Mercruiser, Mercury, Merlin, Mermaid Northeast, Mieler, Mirrlees, MitsubishiMitsui, Motorenwerke-Wurzen, MTUMurphy, MWM, Nanni, Napier Deltic, NavistarNew Holland, Niigata, NISSAN, Norpro, Northern Lights, Olympian, Onan, Paccar, Pancar, Paxman, Pegaso, PerkinsPetter, Peugeot, Pielstick, Polar Nohab, Poyaud, Prakash, Punsun, RenaultRenault Marine, Robin, Rolls RoyceROMAN, Rover, RTA, Ruggerini, RUMO, Russell Newbery (RN), Ruston, Saab, Sabb, Sachs, Same, ScaniaSeatek, Shibaura, Sisu, SKL, Skoda Motory, Smit Bolnes, Sole, Steyr, Stork Werkspoor, Sulzer, Super Star, TataTatra, Thorneycroft, Thüringer Motoren Werke TMW, Toyota, Tricircle, Ulstein Bergen, Universal, Ursus, UTB, Vauxhall, Vetus, Vidhata, VM, Volkswagen, Volvo, Volvo PentaVolvo/VW, WartsilaWatermota, Waukesha, Weichai, Westerbeke, Whisper Watt, White Motor Corp, Wisconsin, Wiseman Power, Witte, Xinhuan, YamahaYAMZ, YANGDONG, YanmarZ.F, Zetor, ZSL

Buyers often ask for " Perkins® ". Perkins ® is just the brand name of the engine.

The engine is very important, but that's not all!

The engine may be Perkins®, but a generator set is not just an engine!

There's also:

• Alternators: Leroy Somer, Marelli, etc...
• Voltage regulators: R250, R448, etc.
• The quality of the assembly of the engine, the alternator, the base with the tank, the cowling, the wiring harnesses, etc...
• Coupling with the alternator
• The enclosure, i.e. soundproofing, corrosion resistance, ease of maintenance, ventilation, etc...
• Protection against installation or load errors
• The quality of components such as the starter, control panel and ECU programming
• The guarantee
• After-sales service
• Etc...

Here are a few well-known brands of generating set. There are many more.

• FG Wilson (United Kingdom) - Perkins engines

• Caterpillar (United States) - Caterpillar engines (some models are compatible with Perkins engines)

• Cummins (United Kingdom) - Cummins engines and alternators

• Deutz (Germany) - Deutz engines

• MTU (United Kingdom)

• Kohler-SDMO (France) - John Deer, Volvo, Perkins and other engines

• Pramac (Italy) - Perkins and other engines

• ONIS VISA (Italy) - Perkins engines

• Kipor (China) 

• Koel Green (India)

• UPG by USCT (Perkins engine)

1.4 - Soundproofing required?

A FG Wilson:

Designed and developed by our specialist engineers, all FG Wilson soundproof enclosures are engineered to ensure optimum performance wherever they are used. Extremely durable and robust, galvanised enclosures are designed to resist corrosion and handling damage with the ability to withstand harsh site conditions, including construction sites and remote locations. All bonnets are weatherproof and incorporate internally mounted exhaust silencers.

Offering excellent sound attenuation, our bonnets are the ideal choice for residential applications or construction sites where noise is a major factor.

With a wide range of enclosures to choose from, we're sure to have an enclosure to suit your needs.

Our bonnets incorporate the following key features:

• Compliance with European Community Directive 2000/14/EC
• Super noise reduction for residential areas
• Robust, highly corrosion-resistant construction
• Weatherproof
• Excellent access for maintenance
• Totally enclosed exhaust silencer system
• Interchangeable components for on-site repair
• Operation at 50°C at high ambient temperatures without loss of cooling system performance.

Open or "open set"?

Soundproof?

Soundproofing or cowling?

Level 1 high ambient temperature enclosures are designed to operate in areas where compliance with European noise legislation does not apply or high ambient capacity is required. Alternatively, level 2 reduces noise levels to comply with stage 2 levels of the European Community directive.
2000/14/EC.

All cowlings incorporate internally-mounted exhaust silencers and are designed on modular principles with numerous interchangeable components for on-site repair.

1.4 - What type of control panel?

"The generator control panel is a user interface that allows you to easily control, monitor and diagnose your generator set. Our range of control panels allows the user to quickly start and stop the genset, with the added benefit of a digital display that clearly measures and displays performance parameters.

Getting to grips with your control panel quickly is important and FG Wilson offers a wide range of control panels, from basic auto start to complex paralleling controllers.

From FG Wilson's own-brand controllers to industry-famous controllers such as Deep Sea, Dief and ComAp, we're sure to have the generator control panel for you.

Many of our control panels also offer remote communication capability, allowing you to easily control, monitor and diagnose the status of your generator from a distance.. "

Link FG Wilson Control Panels

1. Normal: ON OFF + alarms ? Control only on the genset.
2. Options :
   1. Remote surveillance with 1-year data subscription
   2. Synchronisation with a 2nd group
   3. Control panel markings:
      1. Datakom (Turkey)
      2. FG Wilson (United Kingdom): FG 100 and PowerWizard
      3. Comap (Czech Republic)
      4. Deep Sea Electronics (United Kingdom)
      5. Woodward (EasyGen) (United States)
      6. Other brands available

1.5 - Do you need an inverter?

If so, there are two types of inverters: 1) automatic, which switches the generator on automatically when the power goes off and switches the inverter to the generator; 2) manual, where someone has to manually start the generator and manipulate the inverter and change the power supply from the SNEL to the generator.

1. SNEL automatic inverter and generator set ?

You need to be sure that there is fuel in the tank in case the generating set starts by itself but without fuel.

However, there is an option with a fuel sensor to switch off the genset if the fuel level is too low.

For further information:

In English : https://www.fgwilson.com/en_GB/products/controls.html

2. Manual inverter, SNEL and generator set?

This manual system is useful if the power cuts are infrequent and there is no-one to check the generator every day. A priori, there is also less risk of starting the genset without fuel.

1.6 - Do you need an additional diesel decanter filter in case the quality is questionable or there is an accumulation of water?

Excessive accumulation of water in the fuel must be avoided.

" Water contamination in fuel is a common phenomenon that can cause a variety of undesirable reactions in your fuel system.  " Link

1.7 - Do you need an external diesel tank?

1. 1000 L
2. 2000 L
3. 5000 L
4. Other dimensions?

Note that diesel can be kept for up to 6 months!

1.8 - Do you want a fuel sensor to know the quantity at all times and receive alarms if there is theft or refuelling?

1.9 - Where will the installation be located?

1. Kinshasa?
2. Lubumbashi?
3. Goma?
4. Where else?

1.10 - What quality of diesel will you be using? If it is doubtful, ask for an additional filter with a water separator.

1.11 - What after-sales service do you want?

1. Are you going to buy the parts yourself and do the maintenance yourself?
2. Do you want the guarantee? Do you want to be accompanied by the brand's local representative? If so, then Choose to buy from a local retailer to ensure proper follow-up even after purchase. A generator can last 10 years or even 20 years if it is properly maintained and serviced.
3. Is there a representative in the country (updated November 2020)
   1. FG Wilson, yes, Kinshasa, Lubumbashi, Goma by Unicompex
   2. Caterpillar, yes, by Tractafric
   3. ONIS VISA, yes, by Prodimpex
   4. Kipor, yes by SOGEAC
   5. Pramac, yes by PR Congo
   6. Optimal Parts and Tools Group, yes by Optimal Parts and Tools
   7. UPG, yes, by USCT
   8. SDMO, no (2020)
   9. MTU, no (2020)
   10. Koler, no (2020)

1.12 - Do you want the installation included?

1. Yes ?
   1. How many metres of cable between the SNEL inverter and the generator set? It is advisable to visit the site with the installer, or to take photos and draw a scale plan of the layout, including cable trays and diesel pipes.
   2. A concrete base needs to be built for the generator set.
2. No 

1.13 - Do you want the price delivered to Kinshasa, DRC or another city in the DRC? Or in another country?

1.14 - Are you exempt from VAT? If so, please produce the exemption certificate.

1.15 - Purchase lead times ?

1. Immediately?
2. 2 weeks?
3. A month?
4. 2-3 months?
5. Not urgent?
6. Just for information

1.16 - Additional information ?

1.17 - Budget in USD?

2 - Typical installation 

2.1 - 2 x P500: Agriculture (Vietnam)

https://www.fgwilson.com/en_GB/company/casestudies/VietnamFoodSector.html

Vietnam is becoming a major producer and trading centre for the world's food industry, and FG Wilson generator sets supplied by dealer Tuong https://tuongviet.vn are now helping to power the operations of a major agricultural conglomerate in the country as part of a $200 million investment with more units to follow.

Do you have any questions?

Contact our FG Wilson generating set sales manager and he will guide you in your choice of generating set.

FG Wilson Sales Manager in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Mukesh Kumar Vishwakarma

Kinshasa

Mobile: +243 973 833 338

E-mail: mvishwakarma@unicompex.net

Unicompex Congo

Emergency power since 1997

www.unicompex.com

By email : contact@unicompex.net or by telephone: +243 81 99 35 000

Address: 1458 Avenue Colonel Lukusa, Gombe, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo