Get a quote
Buy & hire

Diesel Generators for Sale in South Africa

A free quote from generator dealers and suppliers across South Africa. One job card, no obligation.

Get a free quote
A canopied diesel generator on a concrete slab beside a farm shed with its side door open showing the engine
BH-02
Rated output
5 to 500 kVA
Fuel
Diesel
Output
Single phase 230 V or three phase 400 V
Service
Every 250 run hours or 12 months
Turnaround
Stock sets in 1 to 5 days, larger sets 2 to 6 weeks

A diesel generator is the workhorse of backup power in South Africa: it burns less fuel per unit of electricity than petrol, runs for thousands of hours between overhauls and handles daily outages without complaint. Through GeneratorRepair.co.za you can get a quote on a diesel generator for sale from independent dealers near you, at no cost. Say what it must power, single or three phase, and whether it needs a silent canopy and auto start, and dealers reply with sizes, diesel generator prices and lead times.

Petrol vs diesel generator

Petrol units are cheaper to buy and lighter, which suits occasional, short outages. A diesel generator costs more upfront but wins on running cost and life:

  • Fuel: diesel engines use roughly 25 to 35% less fuel for the same output
  • Life: a slow-running diesel can last 10,000 to 20,000 hours, a small petrol engine 1,000 to 3,000
  • Safety: diesel is less volatile to store than petrol
  • Downside: heavier, louder when open-frame, and it dislikes running on very light load for long periods

Diesel generator price in South Africa

As a guide, an open-frame 5 to 8 kVA air-cooled diesel costs R15,000 to R35,000. A canopied, water-cooled 10 kVA set (the usual answer when people search for a 10kW diesel generator) runs R45,000 to R90,000, 20 kVA R90,000 to R180,000, and 40 to 60 kVA R180,000 to R350,000. Larger three phase generators for factories and farms are quoted per project. Prices vary with engine origin, controller, canopy and installation, so compare like with like.

Fuel use, run time and sizing

A 10 kVA diesel typically burns about 1.3 to 1.6 litres per hour at 50% load and 2 to 2.4 litres at 75%. A 20 kVA uses about 2.8 and 4 litres. Divide the tank size by the hourly figure for run time: many standby sets carry a base tank for 8 to 24 hours. Size so the set normally runs between 40% and 80% of its rating, since long spells at light load cause wet stacking. Allow 10 to 15% derating at Highveld altitude unless the engine is turbocharged and rated for it.

Standby features and backup

For a home or business standby set, look for electric start with a healthy battery and charger, an auto-start controller, and a matching automatic transfer switch. Fixed installs need a registered electrician and a Certificate of Compliance. Ask who does the generator service every 250 hours or yearly, and whether filters are stocked locally; when something does go wrong, diesel generator repairs are easier with a known agent.

What to include in your request

  • List the loads, including pumps and motors
  • Say single phase or three phase
  • Note the run time you need on one tank
  • Say if it needs a silent canopy and auto start
  • Give the site altitude or nearest town

Diesel Generators for different sites

  • Homes: a 10 to 15 kVA canopied diesel with auto start for the whole house
  • Estates and complexes: a silent diesel set for gates, lifts, booster pumps and common area lights
  • Farms and smallholdings: a diesel set for the borehole pump, irrigation, dairy and cold room
  • Shops, offices and restaurants: a silent standby diesel with an ATS for shops, offices and restaurants
  • Factories, mines and sites: a large three phase diesel set for machinery, compressors and lighting
  • Lodges, venues and events: a diesel standby set with a big fuel tank for a remote lodge or venue
  • Clinics, schools and towers: a diesel standby set keeping a clinic, school or pump station running

Frequently asked questions

Who quotes me if I ask for a diesel generator?
Independent diesel generator dealers, technicians and installers who serve your area. GeneratorRepair.co.za only passes your request on; we do not sell or install generators, and asking for a quote costs nothing and commits you to nothing.
What size diesel generator runs a house?
Most South African houses run comfortably on 10 to 15 kVA, including the geyser, borehole pump and stove used with some care. If you only need lights, fridges, Wi-Fi and the gate, 6 to 8 kVA is enough.
Is a silent diesel generator worth the extra?
For homes, estates and businesses, usually yes. A canopied silent diesel generator is around 60 to 68 dB(A) at 7 m against 80 dB(A) or more for an open-frame unit, and the canopy protects the engine from rain and dust. See silent generators.
Can a diesel generator run all day during outages?
Yes, a water-cooled diesel set is built for long runs. Check the oil level daily during extended use, keep it within its load range, and plan a service sooner if it racks up hundreds of hours in a few weeks.

Diesel Generators by province and city

More generator services

Repairs & breakdownsDiesel, petrol, inverter and portable generators, alternators and emergency call-outs

Service & partsScheduled services, maintenance contracts, load bank tests and spare parts

Installation & switchingGenerator installation, automatic transfer switches and changeover switches

Buy & hireNew, diesel, inverter, silent, three phase and used generators, and generator hire

Get a free generator quote

Fill in the job card: your generator (or the one you need), what is going on and where it is. Technicians, dealers and hire companies who work in your area quote you directly. Free, no obligation.

Job cardNo. assigned when sent · generatorrepair.co.za

Generator details

RefMake, model or descriptionkVAFuelRemove
G1
G2
Up to 12. Don't know the size? Leave kVA empty.
What do you need?

Free and no obligation. By sending you agree that we may share your request with a suitable technician, dealer or hire company. See our privacy policy.

Get a free quote