Diesel Generator Buying Guide
A diesel generator is a 10–15 year investment. This buying guide walks through everything Mecwel Engineers advises Guwahati customers to check before signing a purchase order — from brand selection to handover documentation.
1. Pick the right brand
India has dozens of DG assemblers but only a handful of true OEM engine + alternator manufacturers. Greaves Cotton has been building diesel engines since 1859 and is one of the few with in-house engine manufacturing plus a nation-wide dealer service network — critical in Assam where remote sites need reliable parts availability.
2. Confirm CPCB IV+ compliance
From July 2023, every new diesel generator sold in India must meet CPCB IV+ emission norms. Ask for the CPCB certificate and confirm the specific model on your quote is listed. Non-compliant generators cannot be legally installed and pollution boards do issue notices.
3. Check warranty scope carefully
Warranty periods look similar on paper — the fine print isn't. Verify:
- Coverage for engine, alternator and control panel separately
- Whether warranty covers labour, spares, or both
- Running-hours cap (some warranties end at 2,000 or 5,000 hours)
- What voids the warranty (unauthorised service, non-genuine parts, overloading)
Greaves offers up to 5 years or 6,000 hours on critical components — one of the strongest in the market.
4. Silent canopy specifications
A "silent" DG set is not automatically 75 dB. Ask for the sound test certificate at 1 metre and 7 metres. Confirm the canopy is rain-proof, has proper exhaust routing, service doors on both sides, and internal lighting for maintenance.
5. Control panel and protections
Modern Greaves generators come with microprocessor-based controllers (Deep Sea, ComAp or Greaves' own) that offer:
- Auto Mains Failure (AMF) — starts and switches within 8–10 seconds
- Low oil pressure, high coolant temp, over/under-voltage, over-speed protection
- Remote monitoring via GSM or Ethernet
- Load history and fuel logging
For any DG set above 62.5 kVA, insist on a full-feature controller with AMF.
6. Service network within reach
Ask two questions of any dealer before buying:
- Where is your nearest service centre to my site?
- What is your typical response time for a breakdown call?
In Guwahati and most of Assam, Mecwel Engineers targets 2–4 hour response for AMC customers, with rental replacements available if a major repair means extended downtime.
7. Delivery, installation and load testing
A good quote is turnkey. It should include:
- Delivery to your site
- Foundation and civil work coordination
- Cabling, earthing and change-over switch
- Exhaust routing and acoustic treatment
- On-site commissioning and load-bank testing
- Operator training
Insist on load-bank testing at 100% rated load for at least 2 hours before handover — it's the only way to prove the DG delivers its full kVA.
8. Documentation to collect at handover
- Invoice with GST and HSN codes (for depreciation)
- CPCB IV+ certificate
- Warranty card and terms
- Engine and alternator test certificates
- Operation and maintenance manual (English + local)
- AMC proposal
Ready to power your business? Get a free quote from Mecwel Engineers — Guwahati's authorized Greaves Cotton dealer since 1991. Call +91 97060-11988 for on-site load survey and pricing across Assam.