Residentially they are also used as back-up and emergency power if for some reason the home is taken off the power grid.

Technically, generators are not really the sources of power. Instead, a more proper term for them would be a power converter. Generators convert power from fuel sources into electrical energy. The primary fuel sources for generators are diesel, gasoline, solar energy, hydro energy (water), wind power, natural gas and propane.

It is unusual to find generators that are used as a primary source of power in industry simply because operating a generator can be so much more expensive than using a direct power supply. The main function of most generators is to simply provide an alternative power source when the main power source fails.

Having a generator in place to substitute for a lack of power can mean the difference between life and death. Common uses for generators include:

• Supplying an uninterrupted power supply so that surgeries being conducted in hospitals are not sabotaged by a lack of electricity.
• Keeping devices such as ventilators, monitors, lights and life support systems working in hospitals.
• Keeping sophisticated television monitoring and security systems powered at banks and other high security institutions in the case of a power outage.
• Making sure that people who work in mines have access to light, water and communication.

Other facts concerning generators include:

• Those who work in aerospace industries often rely on generators as a primary source of power.
• Industrial sites that deal with hazardous materials also rely on generators to keep in production and keep the plant safe
• Research and development teams in remote areas without power also often require electrical generators to keep them warm and alive
• Generators are used to back up essential systems like lights for highways and signal lights so that accidents do not occur
• Generators are used to supply warmth and heat to homes and businesses in cold climates where it is possible to die from being exposed to cold temperatures.

These are just a few of the ways that generators impact and can actually save our lives. This is why that the industrial generator you might be thinking of buying, should be both technically and mechanically as excellent as you can afford.  Generators are a necessary and long-term investment in which excellence is not just a sentiment; it is absolutely required.

Natural Gas Powered Generators

A natural gas generator is powered by propane. Propane is liquefied petroleum gas and most people are familiar with it as a fuel for barbecues or gas stoves.

One of the advantages of buying a natural gas powered industrial generator is that very large emergency reserves can be stored easily in above-ground or below-ground tanks.

Another advantage of propane powered generators is that they do work so efficiently.  They tend to be durable and suffer less wear and tear than generators powered by other fuels.

One of the disadvantages of a natural gas generator is that they tend to be the most expensive of all of the industrial generators both in terms of the unit and also in terms of the cost of the fuel.

Gas Powered Generators

A gas powered generator is powered by gasoline, the same readily-available fuel used to power the majority of vehicles used in private transportation.

There are a lot of advantages to using gasoline including the fact that it is a little cheaper than using natural gas. Gasoline powered generators are also efficient producers of power and can run for months or even years in an emergency.

The main disadvantage is that gas generators smell and can also emits toxic fumes into the air. This does not make them the generator of choice for hospitals or small industries in mixed zoning.

Gasoline generators are also restricted in style: they are only available as air compressed converters which sometimes can be finicky or require the compressor to be added on to the cost of the generator.

Yet another disadvantage is that gas is very hard on the mechanical and rubber parts of the generator and cause it wear out, clog and depreciate faster.

The storage of gasoline can also be problematic. Unlike natural gas it can deteriorate over time. It is also more of a fire and explosive hazard than other fuels.

Diesel Powered Generators

This type of industrial generator uses diesel fuel. Like gasoline, it is also used to power vehicles.

Of the three types of industrial generators, the diesel powered generator tends to be the most common.  It has fewer odors and it poses less of a flammable or explosive risk than other types of fuels for generators.

Diesel fuel is easy to store and it has a viscous quality to it that does not degenerate fuel lines and mechanical parts like gasoline can. It is also cheaper to use than gasoline.

The main disadvantage of using diesel fuel is that it produces a huge amount of smog that can harm the environment.

Whichever industrial generator that you choose for your business is going to greatly depend on a number of variables including the nature of your business, your location and what you can afford.

Establishing the amount of needed stand-by power use is usually a figure provided by engineers and electricians, especially if it is for a large facility. That is because it is difficult for the layman to establish the power consumption required for something like a mall or huge agricultural complex.  The reason it is important to get an expert to assess your usage needs is because you never want to be in the position where you have experienced a power shortage because the generator that you purchased is not able to meet your power demands.  This is crucial because sometimes lives, such as the lives of miners, military personnel and hospital patients are at risk.

If you are a smaller industry you can sometimes estimate how much power you will need in an emergency by looking at your hydro or electricity bills. It is then simply a matter of choosing the emergency generator that is able to supply you with that level of usage in an emergency.

Sometimes you do not need a generator for stand-by or emergency services. If it is a generator that is run full time it is also important to consult with an expert in business who can tell you how much it is wise for you to spend on a generator and generator fuel. Also in this instance the cost of the generator might be quite high as to run full-time it must be a very efficient and quality piece of machinery.

Another factor affecting the size of the generator that you buy is the actual size of the building or grounds that will be the home of the unit. Usually generators need to be sheltered from the elements so many need to be in their own building or shed. Industrial generators also need to be placed well away from humans where their noise, smell and smog cannot affect them.

Often times when people are searching for generators, they want to find the information about the unit in the listing itself.  Many sellers leave out critical details, making it difficult to sell their generator.

A common mistake is to run an ad with minimal information or details about the unit for sale so that people will call and ask questions.  We’ve found the opposite to be true.  The more information provided about the unit, the more inquiries it’s likely to get!

They say that a picture is worth a thousand words, which is why the more photos that you can post of the generator, the better.

1. Take Photos of Your Generator

It’s no surprise that listings without pictures get very little attention.  To help the buyer understand exactly what it is that you are selling you should post as many photos as is logical or possible of the following items –

• A full view of the unit
• A view of the unit in its enclosure
• The engine ID tag
• The Hour Meter (which is like an odometer that tells how many hours it has been run)
• A close up of the engine
• A picture of a block panel, battery panel or transfer switch that may be included
• A view of voltage stamp
• A picture of the brand
• Pictures of any “bells and whistles” that come with the unit such as alarms, emergency stop buttons and coolant levels
• Pictures of skids, rubber pads or trailers that might be included with the unit

2. Show a Video of Your Generator!

If you want to sell your used generator fast then why not upload a video of the generator in action onto YouTube and put the URL up on your sales page so that your potential buyer can get a sense of how it operates, how quiet it is and what kind of shape it is in.

This is the “new school” approach to selling power generators. The “old school” approach used to be to pay for the buyer’s plane fare out to a site so he can inspect the industrial generator in person.

3. Determine How Much Time You Have to Sell

The very first question you need to ask yourself is how much time do you have?  At IndustrialGenerators.com we work with many buyers and dealers around the US that have cash on hand for the right deals.  Obviously these buyers are going to offer a lower amount than if you post your generator for sale on the IndustrialGenerators.com website.

However, if you want to sell it fast and don’t want all the hassles associated with waiting and fielding offers, this quick sale approach could be the way to go.

4. Price it Right

Many first and long-time generator sellers have difficulty pricing their unit fairly.  In fact, sometimes a seller has no idea what to charge and finding comparable units can be difficult.

Nothing gets ignored more than a generator listed without a price.  The buyer almost always assumes the price is too high and that’s why it’s being left out.

When pricing to sell your used generator, here is a checklist of information that you should include when describing your power generator for sale – Your asking price for the generator.

• The kilowatts and maximum capacity load of the unit and when the last time the load bearing was tested on the machine
• The brand of the generator
• The age of the generator
• Whether or not it has an 1800 rpm or 3600 rpm motor
• Whether it was used for back-up or primary use
• What kind of fuel or fuels it is capable of using
• Whether it comes with liquid or air cooling systems
• How many previous owners it has had
• Where it was installed
• Whether it is in an indoor or outdoor generator
• Whether or not you will sell it with a housing
• Repairs or problems you have experienced with the unit in the past
• Will you be including a transfer switch and/or electronic panel for the price
• A list of all of the alarms, indicators and any special features
• The decibel level of the unit when it is running (this is important if your town has laws about how loud a machine can be before it can be operated in your neighborhood.)
• The basic requirements of the unit including hose and coupling types, fuel tank requirements and maintenance requirements
• An indication of whether or not the unit is noisy
• An indication of whether or not you will be including installation with the price
• Where the buyer can find a good service technician if you are not helping install it
• Who will be paying for the price of the shipping of the unit and how much it weighs, if you will not be shipping it
• What kind of warranty you are offering

Still need help with pricing your used generator?  Call Industrial Generators and we’ll do our best to help.

Don’t worry if your price is a little on the high side.  If you’re in the neighborhood and let buyers know on your listing that you are negotiable, they will call.

5. Answer Inquiries Quickly

Most generator buyers have a rather immediate need.  Your listing could be the first they are inquiring about or it could be the 5th.  Either way, your chances of communicating professionalism and courtesy is to reply back to any inquiries ASAP.

Make sure you answer key questions they have and provide additional information where available.

6. Include a URL to the Generator’s Manual

It always helps to point your potential buyers to a URL online that might help them download or print off a manual that has all the information that your buyer needs to know about the machine you have for sale.

7. Provide Service History

While this may not be 100% possible for all sellers, buyers do like knowing a bit about how the generator was used and cared for.

Was it recently serviced?

How often was it maintained?

A solid history of service indicates that the unit has been cared for and will help secure a premium price.

8. Consider Getting it Load Bank Tested

Load bank testing provides an accurate measure of the generator’s output.  This is always required by a buyer that is spending a considerable amount on a used industrial generator.

As the seller, this can cost several hundred dollars, but can help the unit sell for thousands more.

We’re here to help

Chances are if you’re selling an industrial generator it’s because you’ve discovered manufacturers do not trade in new units for old.   This is why it is a good idea to write the most complete sales profile of what you’re selling,  because you will have a lot of competitors out there who also cannot trade in their generators for a new one and will be trying to sell theirs as well.

If you have any more questions or need further information on how to sell a used generator, Industrial Generators has helped sell generators of all brands and sizes and are happy to assist via phone or email.

If you are not buying directly from the manufacturer you need to aware of how old the generator is, what it was used for and how well it has been maintained. Like vehicles, industrial generators also have odometers that tell you how much mileage they have on them. Never buy a used industrial generator that is missing an odometor or that has one set to 0.

Another thing to consider is that a generator that was used as an emergency or stand-by unit is probably in better shape than one that was used as a primary source.  Ask the seller for the history of the machine and, in the event that the history is missing, be sure to bring it up and use the lack of history in your decision-making (weighing the risks) and in negotiation.

It is best to have the unit inspected by a certified technician before you buy it or require that the dealer, broker or current owner provide you with a certificate saying that it has been inspected in the last month.  You can also hire a mechanic or engineer to do an inspection and make sure that all of the bearings, bushings and wiring on the generator are in good shape.

If you are buying a complex industrial machine or a stand-by machine for a mission critical facility such as a hospital it is best to put any machine that you might potentially buy through as many inspections as possible. It is also possible to buy a used machine from an individual and then ask the original manufacturer’s service department to tune it up and customize it to your needs.

Thank you for visiting.