Generator purchase

[JoeyDaRench]

I'm trying to purchase a 15KVA backup generator. Can't seem to get anyone to answer emails or return calls. Only one place in Bangkok gave me information on Kipor generators (China) and I'd like to find out more. Being China, I'm leery.

Any suggestions on where to buy one? New or used is okay but mostly I want quality for years to come.

[Crossy]

Send a PM to forum sponsor genset, he should be able to help.

[kamalabob2]

No shortage of generators in Thailand. I'm looking into the Atlas Copco diesel generator line I viewed in Buriram. Jupiter Generators were very quiet when I watched a demonstration at the Buriram Builders Merchants Expo in April. Bergin Generators are significantly less money in Buriram than the Atlas Copco diesel generator I priced. I did find a shop that would arrange for a connection to my village house power Schneider Electrical Load Center panel in case of a power outage. Mr. Pichai supplies power Generators for Government contracts at hospitals, rail stations, and sports facilities. The back up power generator of Buriram Home Mega Mart was purchased from Ruangsangthai. I've bought quite a bit of floor and wall tile at both stores in Buriram and took the time to meet the owners of both home improvement stores. It has proven handy for me to keep the mobile phone numbers of Buriram or Surin Province store owners saved in my mobile phone.

[RichCor]

If this is a permanent or semi-permanent generator installation, hopefully you're also looking for a Transfer Switch.

[JoeyDaRench]

Thanks for the great info Kamalabob2. Do you have a contact phone number for the store? Do you know if they might have someone who speaks English?

RichCor, this will be permanent and depending on the generator I get, there will be an ATS or an MTS. Won't take any chances. I has to be right.

[cigar7]

Remember about after sales service and parts availability. Everybody is ready to take your money for the initial big purchase, but when it doesn't work, it's call someone else.

For the diesels, make sure you can get new: a. injector tips easily and at low cost; b. glow plugs; c. fuel, oil and air filters. Make sure the alternator is brushless (less parts to wear out). Engine is low RPM like 1,800. Some people say the 3,600 RPM are "throw away" quality. Some the preferred brands are Kubota, Yanmar, Isuzu, Perkins. Get a naturally aspirated engine, not a turbo. For 15Kva - I'd recommend a Perkins 4 cylinder 403D22G engine. Also, there is a choice of 1-phase or 3-phase generation - for a home, 1 phase generation is the norm.

Enclosures and sound kits can add lots of cost. Also consider fuel delivery. Will you bring in 55 gallon drums? If so, get the equipment to suck and filter fuel out of the drum.

[wayned]

There are three English speaking staff at Ruangsangthai. I use them all of the time and they provide excellent service. I'll PM you with contact details. I recommend them 100%.

[cigar7]

Attached are the specs on a decent generator set. Maybe you can find the same specs in a different brand name.

mecc-alte-npe32.pdf

[JoeyDaRench]

Thanks all for the good info. I'm waiting to hear back from Mr. Bob with some ideas.

[cigar7]

Rather than buy a generator in an enclosure consider, building a little shed/shack to store it and run it. If it is raining outside and the jenny stops, you can go out and fix it, without getting soaked or electrocuted. Construct a raised cement slab floor for the shack. You can store a couple of barrels of fuel,generator, and spare parts in the shed. You can buy muffler systems for the generator that are suitable for a shed.

Edited August 28, 2015 by cigar7

[Pacificperson]

Don't store the extra fuel in the same room as the generator. Once, I had my work crew build a generator shed for me. They were not happy about doing it. They were all shorter than me. i am 5' 8". The bottoms of the roof joists were 5' 7" above the floor.

[gregj69]

Did you get any joy? I am also looking at a 12-16 kva diesel or gas generator, even second hand but having great difficulty finding any at reasonable cost. Any help appreciated.

[Crossy]

Those on a budget who are reasonably competent electrical DIYers may wish to have a look at this thread http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/671221-build-a-low-cost-semi-automatic-generator-transfer-switch/

Go to the end of the thread for the final incarnation.

[Bcgardener]

The company Bangkokgen is a good source of used Denyo sets from Japan and they can also support with parts. For new I think the top of the range in that size is Kubota or Yanmar packages but they will be expensive. For a good quality local package try Duragen in Bangkok. They are the local distributor for Stamford alternators and also build complete sets. My company also build generator sets but mainly specialised units. We do use the 403d Perking engine and it is a good product but is prone to glazing on light loads. PM me if you want any more details

[Crossy]

Bangkokgen have a website here http://www.bangkokgen.co.th/index.php

Unfortunately no indication of units in stock or pricing so a call will be needed, gensets from 10-1000 kVA.

Duragen are here http://www.duragen.co.th/

Again no pricing or used stock lists

To those looking - what would be deemed a "reasonable price" for a genset?

[Bcgardener]

Crossy , the cheapest option is a Chinese import but they run from reasonable to junk with a lot at the junk end. If it is a standby set then middle of the road or even toward the better junk end would probably be okay. Alibaba is not a bad place to look but you do need your wits about you. For good quality sets the basic engine and alternator cost for something like a Perkins/Meccalte 1500rpm package is going to run about 200k Baht + VAT. Prices are cheaper than this out of China even for the same package but you then need to deal with freight and 10% import duty.

[Bcgardener]

Last time I priced a used 20KVA Denyo from Bangkokgen it was about 230K including a service, check over and new paint. That would be a 1500rpm set, probably Mitsubishi or Isuzu engine and in a soundproof canopy. The standard Denyo control is not compatible with an auto start ATS system so some mods would be required but cost wouldn't be that much.

[JoeyDaRench]

Thanks all for the good info. I'm still working on getting answers. It's very difficult to get answers here in LOS. I'm leery of the Chinese brands, although I don't expect to use it that often, so maybe that's fine.

I'll post more when I've made a decision.

[Bcgardener]

Prices for used sets are high here compared to Australia. I just bought a used 200KVA Kohler set from Australia with John Deere/ Leroy Somer, 4,000 hours on the clock and a soundproof canopy. I bought it from a mate in the generator business there who took it as a trade in. I paid about 220K Baht for it but have to pay freight and duty to get it here. It's a standby for my factory with an ASCO ATS.

[carlyai]

Thanks all for the good info. I'm still working on getting answers. It's very difficult to get answers here in LOS. I'm leery of the Chinese brands, although I don't expect to use it that often, so maybe that's fine.

I'll post more when I've made a decision.

I've bought a few things from China and imported other things from Indonesia.

Be careful of the 'under the table' port costs as they could increase the cost for importing something from China.

If you can, make sure you have all the correct paperwork from the Chinese supplier, and only pay VAT plus real port costs.

Don't be caught like I was, in that if I didn't pay the extra, they would'nt unload if from the container.

My thing had a 'remote' specified on the invoice, which caused the unloading fee to skyrocket.

[David B in Thailand]

I viewed a 40KVA diesel Generator get delivered and installed today that was bought in Buriram. The generator has ATS.  It was under 350,000 baht. It was installed in a "utility room" for a farming operation in Thailand. 

[starlightpower]

You don't like to buy Chinese generator? There are a lot of brand generators you can consider such as Cummins, Volvo, Perkins, Daewoo, Deutz, and even some reliable generator like Yuchai, Shangchai, Weichai and Wuxi power from China with reasonable price and high quality. Anyway, when purchasing a generator, we need to consider its price, quality, warranty, and so on.