In 1983 the world’s smallest air-cooled diesel engine was developed by a company called Yanmar.  Since the patent expired many companies now produce engines using the same design.  It is used in virtually every portable diesel generator around the world.

All these diesel engines are made in countries where materials are very expensive and the labor is very cheap so you need to be aware of a few things before you buy.

First, nothing is made in North America. Other then the Lombardini brand from Italy, all the rest come from China.  Companies take shortcuts, use cheap materials and workers  who make peanuts.  Quality control and parts supply is always an issue.  No one ever seems to stand behind their products. They are often one time sales and they know that.

We are such a small market in North America compared to the rest of the world. Our standards are much higher.  We have electrical safety codes and laws to protect our environment.   China often builds generators that are not acceptable here but many buy them anyway and pass them for being quality products when they really are not. Those companies are only interested in profits and short term gains.

Aurora is a Canadian company with the majority of its operations in the USA.  Unlike so many other companies Aurora buys its own parts. Every single part. The engine and alternator are assembled by Aurora and its partners. Overseeing assembly and controlling parts supply in China rather then buying the cheapest engine available assures a much higher quality product. You can check with electrical safety organizations and find that Aurora products often meet some very high electrical standards others don’t even talk about.

If you visit any other diesel generator company website you will not find a parts page. It is because they just don’t have them.  Buyer Beware !