At a steady 60 kW, Caterpillar’s DE110E2 uses 16.5 litres of diesel per hour according to its 50 Hz prime-power data. That is 75% load on this particular 100 kVA set. If you are buying a different machine, ask for its model number before you use that figure in a fuel budget. Caterpillar DE110E2 data sheet, page 1
Which column belongs to your generator?
On this sheet, 100 kVA is the prime rating. At the stated power factor of 0.8, the rated electrical output is 100 kVA × 0.8 = 80 kW. The same sheet also lists 110 kVA standby at 50 Hz and separate ratings at 60 Hz. First match the duty and frequency on your quotation. Then divide your running load in kW by the rated kW for that duty. A quotation headed “100 kVA standby” needs its own rating sheet.
- 50% of prime output · 40 kW electrical load · 11.6 L/h with the cooling fan.
- 75% of prime output · 60 kW electrical load · 16.5 L/h with the cooling fan.
- 100% of prime output · 80 kW electrical load · 21.7 L/h with the cooling fan.
These three points come from the Cat C4.4-powered DE110E2, performance number P2634B, in the 50 Hz prime column. Cat lists fuel use with the fan and gives the rating conditions on page 2. The kW column above is calculated from the 80 kW rating. Manufacturer’s data and rating conditions
How much fuel should I budget for one shift?
Suppose your load record shows three hours near 40 kW and five near 60 kW. For this Cat set, those eight hours come to (3 × 11.6) + (5 × 16.5) = 117.3 litres. Multiply that volume by your delivered diesel price per litre. This estimate covers the two steady running periods. If the generator spends time warming up, idling or running outside those loads, allow for those periods separately using data for the set you buy.
Here is where a quick estimate can go wrong. Halving the full-load figure of 21.7 gives 10.85 L/h. The manufacturer lists 11.6 L/h at half load. If your warehouse runs overnight at only 20 kW, ask for the lower-load data point. This sheet stops at 50% load.
What should I send with my fuel enquiry?
Send me the quoted model, prime or standby rating, frequency, and the kW your equipment draws during a normal shift. A photo of the kW reading while the usual machines are running is more helpful than adding up all their nameplates. If the load changes after lunch or when a pump starts, tell me how long it stays at each level.
For a ZC quotation, I would ask for the fuel sheet for the engine and set actually offered, with each load point in kW and consumption in L/h. I would also check whether the figures include the cooling fan and whether the stated rating applies at your site altitude and temperature. That gives you a fuel budget you can put alongside the purchase price.