Enhancing your comfort and safety on the open water with a diesel generator

When you find yourself enjoying the open water with family and friends, having the right generator for your boat can make a world of difference. 

Boats have existed in one form or another since pre-historic times, and they've seen their share of innovations come and go. Some innovations such as ice sailboats, built in the 1790s and designed to transport goods over frozen lakes and rivers, stayed at the fringes without too much surprise. Meanwhile, innovations such as outboard engines have expanded their fan base since Gustave Trouve built the first one in 1880s.    

Last year, 63% of new recreational boats sold in the U.S. featured outboard engines. While the use of outboard engines is on the rise, the wide range of designs and applications for recreational boats, ranging from trawlers to cabin cruisers to sailboats, require a variety of inboard and outboard engines and fuels. 

As the usage of outboards increases, it introduces a new dilemma for mariners: What is the right technology for house power in a gasoline outboard-powered boat? 

Visit Cummins at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show

Let’s frame this technology decision around what matters the most in the way you enjoy your boat. For most boaters, launching into the water is a recipe for a fun day that starts with two key ingredients: comfort and safety, with good company as a bonus. 

Comfort during your family’s day on the water

Family enjoys a day on the water A day on the water, whether fishing or just relaxing, is memorable if you or your family are comfortable and have access to the boat’s amenities. Today’s recreational boats offer those aboard comfortable experiences through features ranging from refrigerators and microwaves to air conditioners and entertainment sets. 

Moreover, an increasing number of mariners enjoy the enhanced comfort offered by gyroscopic stabilization devices that require a continuous power source.

This increase in amenities has created the need for more house power in recreational boats. Capacity constraints and the noise they would generate while running make outboard engines a less than optimal solution for powering house loads.

If your outboard boat has a diesel marine generator and house batteries, you can experience the comfort for extended durations. An Onan diesel marine generator is capable of quietly powering all critical loads for hours to days and simultaneously charging the house batteries. If the demand for power decreases, the house batteries can take on the load and the generator can be turned off.

Safety while powering the cabin 

Using a gas marine generator on an outboard boat could be a convenient option to power your house loads. A single tank can be used to store the fuel both for the generator and outboard engines, but this comes with a safety risk that is commonly overlooked.

Back Cove Yacht 340 - Cummins Onan
Back Cove Yachts’ brand new 34O features a cockpit that is meant for entertaining. 34O also offers safety and peace of mind aboard through the Onan ignition-protected generator.

Gas marine generators emit significantly higher levels of carbon monoxide (CO) compared to diesel marine generators. CO is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas produced by burning fuels such as gasoline. When too much carbon monoxide is in the air, your body replaces the oxygen in your red blood cells with carbon monoxide.

This can lead to serious tissue damage, or even death. Risk of CO poisoning increases in spaces with inadequate ventilation. Modern gas marine generators have different safety features that reduce, but not eliminate this risk. 

If you want to enjoy all the modern comforts of your boat, then a diesel marine generator could be the right choice. If you are planning to run your generator and power your house loads through overnight trips, a diesel generator will give you a greater peace of mind compared to running a gas marine generator while you are sleeping. 

When considering adding a diesel generator to your boat, look for a model featuring ignition protection, such as the Onan diesel marine generators manufactured by Cummins.

"Ignition protection is designed to prevent sparks that could be caused by electrically activated components and connections," said Scott Malindzak, Global Recreational Marine Leader for Cummins. "Our customers have been using Onan ignition-protected marine generators to power their house loads ranging from 4 to 7.5 kilowatts. We will soon be extending the ignition protection feature up to 13 kilowatt marine generators." 

When you are shopping for your next boat or looking to improve the safety and comfort of a classic, be sure to not compromise the safety and comfort of your family. Speak with your boat dealer or manufacturer to learn how a marine diesel generator will quietly and safely provide power for your voyage – whether taking a sunset cruise, heading offshore fishing, or spending the weekend on the hook.   

Interested in learning more? Cummins' marine experts will be in attendance at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show from October 30, 2019 to Nov. 3. Learn how you can meet with a Cummins marine adviser in person. 

Aytek Yuksel - Cummins Inc

Aytek Yuksel

Aytek Yuksel is the Content Marketing Leader for Cummins Inc., with a focus on Power Systems markets. Aytek joined the Company in 2008. Since then, he has worked in several marketing roles and now brings you the learnings from our key markets ranging from industrial to residential markets. Aytek lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota with his wife and two kids.

Why you should become a Cummins Home and Small Business dealer

Cummins dealer smiling next to home generator

For more than 100 years, Cummins Inc. has been dedicated to making people’s lives better by powering a more prosperous world. As a company, we seek to be customer-driven, innovative, responsible, and trustworthy so that we can truly make a difference now and in the future.

But exactly what does Cummins do? At a high level, we create power solutions. You’ll find Cummins products and solutions for on- and off-highway engines, turbochargers, electronics, fuel systems, generators and power systems, and more. We’re not in this on our own, though. With a broad network of Cummins-authorized dealers in the home and small business power solution space, we count on our independent dealers and their local relationships. If you’re interested in becoming a Cummins-authorized dealer, keep reading to find out the benefits and how to get started.

Does Cummins make Home Generators and Small Business generators?

Yes, Cummins offers generators that are sufficient for residential homes and small businesses, including:

  • 13-20 kW air cooled emergency standby generators
  • 25-150 kW liquid cooled emergency standby generators
  • 9,500-watt portable, dual fuel heavy duty generators
  • 2,500-4,500-watt portable, lightweight inverter generators
  • 300-1,000-watt portable lithium battery powered power stations

In the midst of severe weather, increased blackouts, and aging power grids, generators are becoming more and more important. Consider this: 83% of power outages were the result of weather-related incidents from 2000 to 2021.

When these outages occur during extreme temperatures, generators are critical to keeping homes and businesses comfortable, safe, and operational. Families won’t have to worry about losing their heat or everything inside their refrigerators. Businesses won’t have to worry about the potential financial impact that comes with an outage—which can be as much as $12,500 a day for a small business. 

All of these reasons are likely why search terms like “Cummins generator dealers near me” are so popular on Google and other search engines. Local people are consistently looking for the right generator solution. Cummins-authorized dealers can help ensure they have the power they need, no matter what.

What are the benefits of being a Cummins Generator Dealer for Home and Small Business?

Of course, if you’re thinking about becoming a Cummins-authorized dealer, the fact that there’s a market isn’t the only perk. Here are eight more reasons why you should become a Cummins-authorized Home and Small Business generator dealer.

  1. You’ll be backed by the Cummins brand, a name that’s synonymous with support, reliability, and sustainability. Cummins generators are quality, trustworthy equipment that you and your customers can count on.
  2. You will receive state-of-the-start training. Cummins provides courses and the certification path required to become a Cummins-authorized partner and product expert. Our technical training and certifications provide knowledge on Cummins home generator service like installation, maintenance, and repair.
  3. You can connect to a robust network of Cummins resources. Our dealers have access to a world-class set of tools, including training, a dedicated account executive, an online portal, sales and training certifications, and so much more.
  4. You’ll receive “preferred parts” pricing. By becoming an authorized dealer, you’ll get the best parts pricing around so you can maximize your profits. You can also pass these savings on to your customers to ensure your pricing is competitive.
  5. You can capitalize on marketing support. Cummins regularly invests in brand-building and lead generating campaigns to drive customers to our dealers. 
  6. You have access to warranty claim submission. Warranties don’t have to be a hassle for you or your customers. As an authorized-service dealer, you can submit warranty claims on behalf of your customer to improve customer satisfaction and loyalty. 
  7. You can join the ChannelOne Partner Rewards Program. This competitive rewards program helps you maximize your earning power.
  8. You can list your company on the Cummins Parts & Service Locator. The Cummins service locator makes it easy for local customers to connect with your business, and it increases your overall brand visibility.

How to become a Cummins Dealer: It’s easier than you think

Stop missing out on all of the local online traffic searching for “Cummins authorized dealer near me,” and bring great products to your community! It takes just four simple steps to get started.

  1. Complete the online “Become a Dealer” interest form. A regional Cummins Account Executive will contact you to start the discussion.
  2. Share additional information about your business, your experience, and why you’re interested in becoming a Cummins dealer.
  3. Fill out and return the necessary paperwork to be processed by the Cummins team.
  4. Complete your required product training and become a Cummins Home and Small Business Dealer.

At Cummins, our company is dedicated to providing great products and services to customers throughout the world. If you’re ready to join our world-class network, get started now.

Cummins Office Building

Cummins Inc.

Cummins, a global power technology leader, is a corporation of complementary business segments that design, manufacture, distribute and service a broad portfolio of power solutions. The company’s products range from internal combustion, electric and hybrid integrated power solutions and components including filtration, aftertreatment, turbochargers, fuel systems, controls systems, air handling systems, automated transmissions, electric power generation systems, microgrid controls, batteries, electrolyzers and fuel cell products.

How do I calculate what size generator I need?

Customers talking to Cummins dealer

There are several great reasons why you might be considering a standby generator for your home or small business. In the event of a power outage (caused by severe weather, for example), having a standby generator helps ensure ongoing safety and comfort. And in the case of a business, the ability to reduce downtime and maintain operations is a significant advantage.

Standby generators—also known as permanent or whole-house generators—offer reliable and efficient backup power solutions for a wide range of applications. If you’re currently exploring your options, we imagine you have a few concerns. You’re probably looking for a generator that’s sold and serviced by a reputable company, and want to determine the right generator capacity for your needs.

In this article, we’re going to help you answer a key question: “What size generator do I need to run my house or small business in the event of a power outage?” Keep reading for an overview of how to find the perfect Cummins Inc. standby generator for your needs.

What is the rule for generator sizing?

When it comes to understanding generator sizing, one important rule to keep in mind is that the generator needs to be able to power everything requiring electricity, but it also needs to have additional capacity to account for various appliances’ starting wattage. Otherwise, you might find yourself in a situation where your generator simply won’t cut it, potentially leaving your home or small business without the power it needs.

Next, we’ll cover a basic framework for calculating your power needs.

How to Calculate Standby Generator Size

Here’s a simple, three-step process for assessing your needs and priorities, understanding generator sizes, and finding what size generator is going to work best. 

Let’s take a look at what this process looks like.

Step 1: Understanding Generator Sizes

Here’s a basic formula for how to calculate standby generator size:

  1. First, create a list of everything in your home or small business that would need to be powered by the generator in case of an emergency. This should include anything that requires electricity and isn’t something you would want to go without should you lose power. It’s important to not only consider running wattage, but starting wattage as well—since most appliances will require a few seconds’ worth of extra wattage to get started. There are several online sources for determining appliances’ wattage requirements.
  2. Add together each item’s running watts. When in doubt, err on the side of overestimating wattage requirements since it’s much better to have a little more power available than is needed as opposed to having to adapt to a generator that lacks sufficient power.
  3. Then, to roughly account for starting wattage, add the single-highest starting watts figure to the total.
  4. To ensure a margin of safety—and to account for potential future needs—you should multiply that figure by at least 1.25. The resulting number is the minimum generator capacity you should consider.

You can also use our home generator sizing calculator to estimate your power needs.

Step 2: Assessing Your Needs

It’s important to understand your priorities. While getting the right size and type of generator that fits your budget are important, it’s also important to consider how you intend to use the generator.

  • Will it need to be capable of maintaining enough power for your home or small business in case of an emergency?
  • Do you envision having a permanently-installed generator, or is portability important?

How you answer these questions should help provide context for the next step: exploring generator sizing and zeroing in on the perfect product for your needs.

Step 3: Finding the Right Generator

In addition to the generator size calculator, our online buyer’s guide to home generators is a great starting point for exploring your options. Cummins offers three main types of standby generators suited for a home or small business:

  • Permanently-installed 13-20 kW air-cooled home standby generators that can be powered up when needed. 
  • Permanently-installed 25-150 kW liquid-cooled home standby generators that can be powered up when needed. 
  • Heavy-duty, gasoline- or propane-powered 9,500-watt dual fuel portable generators that can provide backup power for a home or small business. 

Cummins: Reliable and Affordable Standby Power Solutions

At Cummins, we build versatile, high-quality standby generators for homes and small businesses. Don’t let their quietness fool you—they’re powerful and reliable. 

When you’re ready to explore your options, you can reach out to request an on-site assessment. One of our authorized dealers will help you assess your needs, evaluate different generator types and capacities, and understand how much a generator might cost to have installed.

Cummins Office Building

Cummins Inc.

Cummins, a global power technology leader, is a corporation of complementary business segments that design, manufacture, distribute and service a broad portfolio of power solutions. The company’s products range from internal combustion, electric and hybrid integrated power solutions and components including filtration, aftertreatment, turbochargers, fuel systems, controls systems, air handling systems, automated transmissions, electric power generation systems, microgrid controls, batteries, electrolyzers and fuel cell products.

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