Decide on stationary or portable diesel generators

In general, most businesses will be looking for diesel standby generators that are stationary. You won't generally save any money by buying a portable unit and it's usually less hassle to buy a stationary unit and have it set up ready to go.

I recommend: GeneratorJoe offers both portable and stationary generators for homes and businesses. All World Diesel Generators also has a wide range of diesel powered generators available.

Know the load that the regular or portable diesel generator will handle

Keeping a hospital up and running at 100% power requires a higher load than a generator that only needs to run a walk in cooler. Buying the correct generator will make sure you have the power you need for the right cost. Handling loads that are much larger or smaller than the generator size will make your generator wear out or break much more quickly.

I recommend: GoPower carries industrial diesel generators for larger businesses. USP&E has used generators for sale, which can help you get the load that you need for the price you can afford.

Look for a major brand diesel generator

Although it may be tempting to buy an off brand for the lower cost, your best bet long term is a major brand. This way, you know you can get compatible parts and you'll find more service alternatives if you run into problems.

I recommend: US Diesel Engines sells a number of diesel generator sets. Emergency Power has several Watt models available.

Buy accessories to make your portable diesel generator work more efficiently

Before you get the generator up and running, you must make sure that your power cords are appropriate. You may also want to look into automatic transfers, ready to load centers and portability kits.

I recommend: PeakPowerTools sells a number of generator accessories. Get extras, parts and accessories from Cummins Power.