Waukesha-based Generac Power Systems Inc., and Fiat Powertrain Technologies have reached a new strategic partnership that will begin early next year, by which Fiat will supply Generac with a wide range of industrial diesel engines to be used in power generation stations designed and built by Generac.
The power stations will be capable of producing between 60 kW to 350 kW, and will use engines that will increase productivity, efficiency and lower operational costs,
both companies said.
Fiat’s engines use about 37 percent less oil than its competitors’ designs and require less frequent oil and filter changes. Although Fiat’s engines are smaller than many other diesel engines used in power generation, they create more power by incorporating turbochargers and enhanced injection systems. Those designs use less fuel, while generating the same or more power than the engines designed by Fiat’s
competition.
“FPT engines have many superior technology and performance advantages that Generac seeks to utilize in its gensets,” states Allen Gillette, senior vice president, engineering, Generac. “Using FPT engines will enable us to offer our customers superior products and technology. In addition, as FPT products are developed to reduce engine emissions while improving fuel consumption, they will aid Generac in continuing to meet the new exhaust emissions standards required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and providing the most innovative engine technologies on the market today.”
Generac has also launched a new hybrid electrical system for recreational vehicles. Because today’s motor coaches have all the bells and whistles and comforts of the home, they are using far more energy than ever before, the company says. The appliances and accessories that need to be powered are increasingly more sophisticated and advanced and need a dependable, clean power source.
Generac has partnered with Magnum Energy and Precision Circuits Inc. to introduce the first Hybrid Electrical System to deliver all the power needed for large RVs without having to install a larger, more costly generator.
“For more than 50 years, Generac has garnered considerable expertise in producing small engines, providing innovative and value-driven generator products for the residential, commercial and RV industries. Generac’s staff of talented engineers is responsible for creating this opportunity to expand the company’s RV product offerings, developing a cutting-edge system to answer consumer needs for a better power solution on the road,” said Bill Slavik, director of RV OEM, Generac. “This new power management system allows consumers to now have all the comforts of home without the increased energy costs.”
According to Slavik, the new Hybrid Electrical System can save up to $3,000 on the cost of a larger generator and weighs 270 pounds less – thus, increasing fuel savings and lowering emissions. The smart power management system begins to supply power to the coach one circuit at a time – keeping all startup spikes in energy to a minimum. This allows the system and the Generac generator to run up to three separate air conditioners at one time. If peak demand exceeds the output of the
generator, the inverter turns on and supplements the power. If the battery voltage drops too low, the Hybrid Electrical System will begin to shed non-critical loads until a balance is maintained. Once the peak demand is over, the system begins to return service to the preselected loads supplying seamless, clean power.
