Cat Gen-sets

Anyone out there have or know where I could get some information on an older Cat gen set. I would like to buy one in the future but I kind of want to educate myself before I shop. As to common types, sizes etc. I'm sure a few folks out there know what to look for and what to shy from. Thanks in advance, I appriciate the collected experience of this board.
:hail:

check out the first 4 pages
http://s315.photobucket.com/albums/ll477/bacoly/foley%202/#!cpZZ3QQtppZZ28

Would you be interested in a 13000 Gen set. I know where one is coming up for sale. You can even buy the trailer it was to go in with the sides that open up.
Terry

As with any generator purchase, getting the right voltage/phase capability and an appropriate size is of paramount importance.

Too large a set and you will likely have problems with 'wet stacking' especially with older designs that never run hard enough to build up enough heat to burn off built up carbon/unburned hydrocarbon liquids and vapors that escape combustion and condense in the cool exhaust system. You will want the generator to be loaded above 50% rated load most of the time with occasional loading to >80% full load for best performance.

What do you plan to do with the generator?

I plan on using it for home / shop power. I was hoping for a 12 or 15 kw 4cylinder. To tell you the truth I was kind of wanting to get one with the same engine as my D2. (D3400) But i wasn't sure there was such a beast or what there ratings were. In the shop I run a Bridgeport, a Southbend lathe, plasma, arc, large wood planer, table saw, etc you get the picture. I don't want anything too large as noted by our fellow member it won't work enough to stay healthy but I also don't want it choking when I turn on the planer. My machine tools are three phase that currently have phase converters on them so three phase is not neccesary. Thanks for the help.
:grouphug: