How Long Can A Generator Run?

Thompson Power on June 5, 2024

Portable generators are an excellent way to provide power for homes and businesses. Whether it’s a temporary blackout, a weekend event or backup for a large hospital, generators can deliver the electricity you need.

While generators don’t provide endless amounts of electricity the way the main grid does, larger units can deliver reliable electricity for days or weeks on end.

The amount of time you can (or should) run your generator varies widely. Depending on the type of generator, fuel source, how it’s being used and the generator’s capacity, you could get years of use from your system.

In this article, we’ll discuss how long generators can run continuously, as well as some factors that affect runtime and overall lifespan.

How Long Can a Generator Run Continuously?

The amount of time a generator can run continuously is typically measured in hours, and this depends on the type of generator you’re using:

Petrol powered generators can run for up to 16 hours at a time
Natural gas and propane generators can run for up to 200 hours at a time (eight days)
Diesel generators can run for up to 72 hours continuously

The fuel source isn’t the only thing that affects the continuous runtime of a generator. The other major factor is the load.

Generators use fuel to create electricity. The more electricity you need, the harder the generator needs to work, and the more fuel it consumes. This can have a major impact on how long a generator can operate continuously.

For example, a small petrol generator that’s being used to power hand tools on a construction site may be able to run all day without problem. The same generator may struggle after a few hours if it’s powering an entire household during a blackout.

The limited runtime of generators poses a serious problem when designing semi-permanent and permanent backup systems. Even the most powerful diesel generators need to be given time to cool down between cycles. This means backup systems need to feature redundancy that allows generators to be taken offline for periods of rest and maintenance.

Speak to your generator hire company to find out more about continuous runtime. Exceeding the recommended load rating or runtime can cause serious damage to a generator, so it’s best to stay within the manufacturer’s specifications.

How Long Does a Generator Last?

If you can only run a generator for a few days or weeks at a time, how long does the system last? Again, this is measured in hours. Portable diesel generators typically last for about 2,000 hours of total use.

This may not sound like a lot, but if a generator is only used to provide power during occasional blackouts or disasters, a single generator could provide decades of use.

In general, diesel generators last the longest. These generators use low-RPM, high-torque engines that don’t need to work very hard to produce electricity. Reducing the strain on the generator’s engine means it will last much longer than alternatives like petrol generators.

You can extend the life of a generator with regular testing and maintenance. The more a generator is used, the more often it needs to be serviced. Regularly changing consumables like oils, fluids and filters is a simple way to add thousands of hours to the life of a diesel generator.

For best results, you should always invest in quality generators from reputable manufacturers. The quality of a generator can dramatically impact its expected lifespan. Low quality generators don’t last as long, and they suffer from problems like power cutouts when you least expect it.

Fuel Capacity and Generator Runtime

Generators burn fuel, and that’s their biggest limitation. While a diesel generator could run for several days to a week, a full tank of diesel will probably only last 24-48 hours.

For generator systems that need to provide backup power for weeks or months (e.g. generator banks installed in hospitals), it’s important to provide appropriate fueling.

The advantage of diesel generators is that they are relatively fuel efficient, so it’s easy to keep their fuel tanks topped up. The alternative is to use natural gas generators. These are typically hooked up to your city’s mains gas supply, which can theoretically provide an unlimited amount of fuel.

The catch is that the natural gas supply is often cut off during disasters. Natural gas comes with serious risks of fires and explosions, so the supply is the first thing to go during events such as hurricanes and earthquakes. That means you can’t rely on natural gas generators for emergency backup systems.

Diesel remains the best option for these scenarios. Diesel fuel is simple to store and can last for years in a tank, allowing you to continue running your generators, even during disasters.

How to Improve the Fuel Efficiency of a Generator

If fuel is the limiting factor, we need to increase fuel efficiency to maximise the runtime of a generator. There are several things you can do to improve generator efficiency:

Run the generator at its rated operating capacity. Overloading or underloading a generator will cause it to burn more fuel than necessary.
Use high quality fuel and additives as per the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Ensure the generator is connected to energy-efficient loads and appliances.
Turn the generator off when power isn’t required.
Regularly cycle and test the generator to ensure it’s operating properly
Invest in regular maintenance, such as changing the oil and filters, replacing the air filter and running diagnostic tests on the engine.

Maintenance is the best thing you can do to prolong the life of a generator. Diesel generators in particular are produced with toughened components that can last for thousands of hours with proper maintenance.

It’s important to note that generators may require maintenance, even if they aren’t being used extensively (e.g. backup systems). Engine fluids perform better when they are cycled. If your generator goes unused for long stretches of time, these fluids still need to be replaced at regular intervals.

If you are hiring a generator then maintenance will usually be provided by the hire company. They will regularly assess the system and perform any testing and maintenance that’s required.

Power Your Project with 3 Phase Generator Hire from Thompson Power!

With proper care and use, 3 phase diesel generators provide the best balance of continuous runtime and overall longevity. If you need power for a temporary event or a long-term backup system, Thompson Power can help!

Thompson Power specialises in generator hire throughout central western New South Wales. We maintain a fleet of portable 3 phase diesel generators that can power everything from music festivals to construction sites, hospitals, production facilities, schools and much more.

Our generators are suitable for short-term installation or long-term backup solutions. We provide all the accessories and wiring you need, as well as a regular maintenance plan that will ensure your generators are always ready for action.

Category: Uncategorized