What engine does the VD150-04FT4MP use?

The Volvo Penta TAD881VE — a 7.70-liter, six-cylinder turbocharged and charge-air-cooled diesel. The TAD881VE is a larger engine family than the 5.1-liter TAD58x series used in the VD100 and VD125; the step to six cylinders and 7.7 liters at 150 kWe reflects a favorable power density for the T4F/Stage 5 certification envelope. EPA Tier 4 Final and EU Stage 5 dual certification applies. The 18.5-gallon DEF tank is shared with the VD100 through VD300. Rated power is available to 4,921 ft (1,500 m) at 122°F (50°C).

What controller does the VD150-04FT4MP use?

The DSE DCP7310 Digital Control Panel, with CAN Bus J1939 engine communication, digital metering, RS-485 interface, 8 programmable contact inputs, 10 contact outputs, and NFPA 110 Level 1 compatibility. The panel is cULus Listed and CE Approved with IP 65 ingress protection (with supplied gasket). A 24V battery system and battery charger are included. The VD150 uses a Stamford UCI274F alternator — the F-wind variant of the UCI274 frame, the highest winding in the UCI274 series deployed in the 100–150 kWe mobile lineup.

How does the VD150-04FT4MP compare to the VD125-04FT4MP and VD200-04FT4MP?

The VD125-04FT4MP (TAD582VE, 5.13L, I-4, 10,600 lbs, 230.5 × 90 in) and VD150-04FT4MP (TAD881VE, 7.70L, I-6, 11,125 lbs, 230.5 × 90 in) are footprint-compatible — same 230.5 × 90 in trailer — but represent a cylinder count and displacement change at the VD150. The 525-lb weight increase reflects the heavier 6-cylinder engine. The VD200-04FT4MP above (TAD1180VE, 10.8L, I-6, 14,225 lbs) is a platform change to a 260 × 92 in trailer, a 3,100-lb jump, and a step to the 350-gallon fuel tank. The VD150 is the last model in the 230.5 × 90 in trailer class.

What are the fuel capacity and runtime of the VD150-04FT4MP?

The 250-gallon integral fuel tank at full load (10.7 gph) provides approximately 23 hours of runtime. At 75% load (8.44 gph), runtime extends to approximately 30 hours. The 18.5-gallon DEF tank typically supports 1–2 fuel cycles before refill. Combustion air draw is 487 CFM; ventilation air requirement is 12,509 CFM; heat rejected to the coolant circuit is 324,840 BTU/hr; exhaust exits at 856°F at 1,049 CFM.

Blue Star Power Systems · Volvo Penta Diesel Mobile

Blue Star VD150-04FT4MP

150 kW standby · Diesel · Liquid-cooled

150 kW Tier 4 Final / EU Stage 5 mobile trailer diesel generator built by Blue Star Power Systems. Volvo Penta TAD881VE six-cylinder engine, Stamford UCI274F alternator, DSE DCP7310 controller, 250-gallon integrated fuel tank.

Standby power: 150 kW / 150 kW prime
Voltage options: 120/240V, 120/208V, 277/480V
Frequency / Phase: 60 Hz · 1/3-phase
Engine: Volvo Penta TAD881VE · 7.7L
EPA / Emissions: Tier 4 Final
Alternator: Stamford UCI274F

Commercialtemporary-powerManufacturing Government Media & Telecompump-station

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Overview#

The Blue Star VD150-04FT4MP is a 150-kilowatt EPA Tier 4 Final / EU Stage 5 mobile trailer diesel generator powered by the Volvo Penta TAD881VE — a 7.70-liter, six-cylinder turbocharged and charge-air-cooled engine. It is the largest model in Blue Star's 230.5 × 90 in mobile trailer class and the engine platform transition from the 5.1-liter four-cylinder (VD100/VD125) to the 7.7-liter six-cylinder family.

Blue Star Power Systems pairs the TAD881VE with a Stamford UCI274F alternator and DSE DCP7310 controller, mounted on an aluminum road trailer with a 250-gallon integral fuel tank and 18.5-gallon DEF tank. At 11,125 lbs, the VD150 is 525 lbs heavier than the VD125 — reflecting the heavier six-cylinder engine — but shares the same 230.5 × 90 in trailer platform and tow configuration.

Platform Ceiling at 230.5 × 90 Inches#

The VD150-04FT4MP is the last model on the 230.5 × 90 in trailer. Above 150 kWe, the VD200-04FT4MP steps to the 260 × 92 in platform with the TAD1180VE (10.8L, I-6) and a 350-gallon fuel tank. For projects where the 230.5 × 90 in trailer is the maximum acceptable footprint — site width constraints, gate width, trailer park dimensions — the VD150 is the ceiling. Specifying a VD125 with room to upgrade to VD150 (footprint-compatible) is a viable strategy when load growth to 150 kWe is anticipated.

When to specify the VD150-04FT4MP#

135–150 kW temporary or standby power at commercial, industrial, construction, or utility sites
Sites up to 4,921 ft elevation at ambient temperatures to 122°F
Maximum output from the 230.5 × 90 in Blue Star mobile trailer class
Applications requiring EU Stage 5 dual certification
Single-phase or three-phase loads at 120/240V, 120/208V, or 277/480V

Our service experience#

The TAD881VE is a six-cylinder engine in a class where four-cylinder engines dominate — this translates to smoother torque delivery and better low-speed response at partial loads. At 10.7 gph full load, the 250-gallon tank provides approximately 23 hours, which is shorter than lower-kW VD models relative to tank capacity. For deployments longer than 18 hours without fuel access, plan the logistics accordingly. The UCI274F alternator is the top of the UCI274 winding range; confirm correct lead configuration (12-lead for WYE/delta flexibility) at commissioning.

Engineering specifications

Physical

Length: 230.5 in
Width: 90 in
Height: 121.5 in
Dry weight: 11,125 lb

Acoustic

Sound @ 7m, full load: 69 dBA
Enclosure: Open

Fuel system & runtime

Integral fuel tank: 250 gal
Fuel use @ full load: 10.7 GPH
Fuel use @ 75% load: 8.44 GPH
Fuel use @ 50% load: 6.03 GPH
DEF tank: 18.5 gal

Thermal & ventilation

Heat to coolant: 324,840 BTU/hr
Heat radiated: 192,120 BTU/hr
Exhaust flow: 1,049 CFM
Exhaust temp: 856 °F
Combustion air: 487 CFM
Ventilation air: 12,509 CFM

Documents & downloads

Spec sheets & manuals

Spec sheet (datasheet)

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Estimate runtime for the Blue Star VD150-04FT4MP

Adjust load percent and tank size to estimate runtime. Pre-filled with this model's spec where available.

Estimate runtime on this tank

Generator size

Fuel

Fuel tank capacity

gal

Load

Override full-load GPH (optional)

GPH

Estimated runtime

30.3 hours(1.3 days)

Fuel consumption ≈ 8.25 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.

Service intervals

Manufacturer-recommended intervals for the Blue Star VD150-04FT4MP under standby duty. Field intervals may differ based on load profile, ambient conditions, and fuel quality.

Oil & filter: Every 500 hours or 12 months
Coolant change: Every 6000 hours
Air filter: Every 1000 hours
Fuel filter: Every 500 hours
Major overhaul: ≈ 20,000 hours
Load bank test: Every 12 months

Common failure modes

What we've seen fail on this platform. Use as a service-planning reference, not a diagnostic — actual failure modes depend heavily on duty cycle and maintenance history.

Component	Symptom	Typical hours	Severity
DEF system (SCR catalyst)	Derate warning, NOx fault, DEF quality alert	4,380+	moderate
Fuel quality	Injector fouling, hard starting	4,380+	moderate
Battery	Failed to start, slow crank	8,760+	minor

Frequently Asked Questions

What engine does the VD150-04FT4MP use?: The Volvo Penta TAD881VE — a 7.70-liter, six-cylinder turbocharged and charge-air-cooled diesel. The TAD881VE is a larger engine family than the 5.1-liter TAD58x series used in the VD100 and VD125; the step to six cylinders and 7.7 liters at 150 kWe reflects a favorable power density for the T4F/Stage 5 certification envelope. EPA Tier 4 Final and EU Stage 5 dual certification applies. The 18.5-gallon DEF tank is shared with the VD100 through VD300. Rated power is available to 4,921 ft (1,500 m) at 122°F (50°C).
What controller does the VD150-04FT4MP use?: The DSE DCP7310 Digital Control Panel, with CAN Bus J1939 engine communication, digital metering, RS-485 interface, 8 programmable contact inputs, 10 contact outputs, and NFPA 110 Level 1 compatibility. The panel is cULus Listed and CE Approved with IP 65 ingress protection (with supplied gasket). A 24V battery system and battery charger are included. The VD150 uses a Stamford UCI274F alternator — the F-wind variant of the UCI274 frame, the highest winding in the UCI274 series deployed in the 100–150 kWe mobile lineup.
How does the VD150-04FT4MP compare to the VD125-04FT4MP and VD200-04FT4MP?: The VD125-04FT4MP (TAD582VE, 5.13L, I-4, 10,600 lbs, 230.5 × 90 in) and VD150-04FT4MP (TAD881VE, 7.70L, I-6, 11,125 lbs, 230.5 × 90 in) are footprint-compatible — same 230.5 × 90 in trailer — but represent a cylinder count and displacement change at the VD150. The 525-lb weight increase reflects the heavier 6-cylinder engine. The VD200-04FT4MP above (TAD1180VE, 10.8L, I-6, 14,225 lbs) is a platform change to a 260 × 92 in trailer, a 3,100-lb jump, and a step to the 350-gallon fuel tank. The VD150 is the last model in the 230.5 × 90 in trailer class.
What are the fuel capacity and runtime of the VD150-04FT4MP?: The 250-gallon integral fuel tank at full load (10.7 gph) provides approximately 23 hours of runtime. At 75% load (8.44 gph), runtime extends to approximately 30 hours. The 18.5-gallon DEF tank typically supports 1–2 fuel cycles before refill. Combustion air draw is 487 CFM; ventilation air requirement is 12,509 CFM; heat rejected to the coolant circuit is 324,840 BTU/hr; exhaust exits at 856°F at 1,049 CFM.

Compatible equipment

Engine

Volvo Penta TAD881VEEngines

Transfer switches

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Last reviewed: May 6, 2026