Blue Star Power Systems · Diesel Product Line (Volvo Penta, Tier 4 Final)
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Blue Star VD125-02FT4
125 kW standby · Diesel · Liquid-cooled
125 kW Tier 4 Final diesel standby generator from Blue Star Power Systems. Volvo Penta TAD572VE engine with charge-air cooling, paired with Basler DGC-2020 controller.
The Blue Star VD125-02FT4 is a 125-kilowatt EPA Tier 4 Final diesel generator built on the Volvo Penta TAD572VE platform. The "-02FT4" suffix marks it as the second-generation Final Tier 4 unit in Blue Star's diesel lineup, designed for both stationary emergency standby and unlimited-runtime prime applications at the same 125 kWe rating.
This is one of Blue Star's volume models in the 100-150 kW Tier 4 Final class — competing directly with comparable units from Kohler, Cummins, and Generac Industrial in commercial standby bids where current emissions compliance is required.
Volvo Penta's industrial diesels meet Tier 4 Final using selective catalytic reduction (SCR) plus a diesel oxidation catalyst, but without a diesel particulate filter. The trade-off versus other Tier 4 Final architectures:
No active DPF regeneration — operators do not have to manage scheduled regen events under light loads
DEF (urea) is required — adds a fluid replenishment task to the maintenance plan
Cleaner combustion management through high-pressure common-rail injection and electronic engine control
For emergency standby duty, this matters because long stretches of light loading during weekly exercise runs will not trigger DPF regeneration concerns.
Tier 4 Final adds two real maintenance items beyond a Tier 2 diesel: DEF replenishment and SCR catalyst monitoring. We recommend customers track DEF consumption in run-hour logs and confirm the DEF tank is filled with fresh fluid at every annual service — DEF degrades at roughly 12 months in storage. The Volvo Penta TAD572VE is a well-supported platform; parts and service literature are accessible through Volvo Penta's industrial network, and Blue Star uses Volvo's published 4-cylinder service intervals rather than publishing its own.
Engineering specifications
Physical
Length
110 in
Width
60 in
Height
73 in
Dry weight
3,975 lb
Acoustic
Sound @ 7m, full load
81 dBA
Enclosure
Open
Fuel system & runtime
Fuel use @ full load
8.75 GPH
Fuel use @ 75% load
7.31 GPH
Fuel use @ 50% load
5.86 GPH
DEF tank
18.5 gal
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Tell us about the application — kW, voltage, application, install timeline — and we'll respond within one business day with budgetary pricing, lead time, and any sizing notes.
Adjust load percent and tank size to estimate runtime. Pre-filled with this model's spec where available.
Estimate runtime on this tank
Estimated runtime
29.6 hours(1.2 days)
Fuel consumption ≈ 6.75 GPH at 75% load. Estimate based on industry-typical 1800 RPM standby curves (≈0.07 GPH/kW at full load). Actual consumption varies by engine, ambient temperature, fuel quality, and tuning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the VD125-02FT4 'standby = prime' (125 kWe both)?
Tier 4 Final certification typically requires the unit to remain emissions-compliant under both ratings. Blue Star publishes 125 kWe / 125 kWe so the genset can be deployed in either emergency standby or unlimited-runtime prime applications without re-rating, which simplifies sizing for facilities that may need both modes.
What engine is in the VD125-02FT4?
The Volvo Penta TAD572VE — a 5.13-liter four-cylinder turbocharged-aftercooled diesel from Volvo's industrial Tier 4 Final family. It is rated approximately 218 HP standby at 1800 RPM and uses Volvo's selective catalytic reduction (SCR) aftertreatment to meet EPA Tier 4 Final without a diesel particulate filter regeneration cycle.
Does this unit need DEF (diesel exhaust fluid)?
Yes — Volvo Penta's TAD572VE achieves Tier 4 Final emissions through SCR, which requires DEF (urea solution) to neutralize NOx. Operators must include DEF tank refills in the maintenance plan. DEF consumption is typically 3-5% of diesel consumption by volume.
When would I spec this versus the Tier 2 VD125 equivalent?
Tier 4 Final (the -02FT4 suffix) is required for non-emergency prime applications in most US jurisdictions, and for any new emergency-standby installation in California. If your project is emergency-only standby in a jurisdiction that still permits Tier 2 (most states do), the simpler Tier 2 unit avoids DEF and SCR maintenance — but Tier 4 is the future-proof choice.