Blue Star Power Systems · Volvo Penta Diesel Mobile

Blue Star VD250-04FT4MP

250 kW standby · Diesel · Liquid-cooled

250 kW Tier 4 Final / EU Stage 5 mobile trailer diesel generator built by Blue Star Power Systems. Volvo Penta TAD1381VE six-cylinder engine, Stamford S4L1D-D41 alternator, DSE DCP7310 controller, 350-gallon integrated fuel tank.

Blue Star Power Systems Blue Star VD250-04FT4MP generator — specifications and details
Standby power
250 kW / 250 kW prime
Voltage options
120/240V, 120/208V, 277/480V
Frequency / Phase
60 Hz · 1/3-phase
Engine
Volvo Penta TAD1381VE · 12.8L
EPA / Emissions
Tier 4 Final
Alternator
Stamford S4L1D-D41
Commercialtemporary-powerManufacturingGovernmentMedia & Telecompump-stationHealthcare
Configure & QuoteDownload spec sheet

Overview#

The Blue Star VD250-04FT4MP is a 250-kilowatt EPA Tier 4 Final / EU Stage 5 mobile trailer diesel generator powered by the Volvo Penta TAD1381VE — a 12.8-liter, six-cylinder turbocharged and charge-air-cooled engine. It shares the 260 × 92 in mobile trailer platform with the VD200 and VD300, and is footprint-compatible with the VD300-04FT4MP since both use calibration variants of the same 12.8-liter VP engine block.

Blue Star Power Systems pairs the TAD1381VE with a Stamford S4L1D-D41 alternator — moving from the UCI274 alternator frame class to the S4L1D frame — and DSE DCP7310 controller, on an aluminum road trailer with a 350-gallon integral fuel tank and 18.5-gallon DEF tank. At 15,400 lbs, the VD250 requires a commercial tow vehicle rated for the load. The single-phase output capability (120/240V) is available at this model; the VD300 above is 3-phase only.

Last Single-Phase Model at This Tier#

The VD250-04FT4MP is the last model in Blue Star's Tier 4 Final mobile Volvo Penta lineup to support single-phase output. The VD300-04FT4MP is three-phase only. For applications requiring single-phase 120/240V output at 250 kWe, the VD250 is the ceiling — there is no single-phase option above this point in the mobile T4F VD series.

When to specify the VD250-04FT4MP#

  • 225–250 kW temporary or standby power where single-phase output is required above 200 kWe
  • 250 kW three-phase temporary power at sites up to 4,921 ft at 122°F
  • Footprint-compatible upgrade path from VD200 or a future upgrade to VD300 (same 260 × 92 in platform)
  • Applications requiring EU Stage 5 dual certification
  • Healthcare, industrial, construction, or municipal loads where 250 kWe mobile capacity is specified

Our service experience#

The TAD1381VE has a notably low exhaust temperature of 753°F for a 250 kWe engine, reflecting the large 12.8-liter displacement at this output level. Monitor DPF regeneration health closely on deployments with sustained loads below 50% — passive regeneration depends on exhaust temperature staying above the DPF activation threshold. Annual full-load load bank testing is particularly important at this output level. The Stamford S4L1D-D41 is the D-wind variant of the S4L1D series; verify lead configuration (12-lead) at commissioning for voltage flexibility.

Engineering specifications

Physical

Length
260 in
Width
92 in
Height
124 in
Dry weight
15,400 lb

Acoustic

Sound @ 7m, full load
71 dBA
Enclosure
Open

Fuel system & runtime

Integral fuel tank
350 gal
Fuel use @ full load
17.3 GPH
Fuel use @ 75% load
13.6 GPH
Fuel use @ 50% load
9.8 GPH
DEF tank
18.5 gal

Thermal & ventilation

Heat to coolant
511,620 BTU/hr
Heat radiated
302,040 BTU/hr
Exhaust flow
2,069 CFM
Exhaust temp
753 °F
Combustion air
913 CFM
Ventilation air
14,196 CFM

Documents & downloads

Spec sheets & manuals

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Estimate runtime for the Blue Star VD250-04FT4MP

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

26.2 hours(1.1 days)

Fuel consumption ≈ 13.35 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 VD250-04FT4MP 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.

ComponentSymptomTypical hoursSeverity
DEF system (SCR catalyst)Derate warning, NOx fault, DEF quality alert4,380+moderate
Fuel qualityInjector fouling, hard starting4,380+moderate
BatteryFailed to start, slow crank8,760+minor

Frequently Asked Questions

What engine does the VD250-04FT4MP use?
The Volvo Penta TAD1381VE — a 12.8-liter, six-cylinder turbocharged and charge-air-cooled diesel. The TAD1381VE is the base calibration of VP's 12.8-liter generator platform for the 250 kWe class — the same block is used at 300 kWe (TAD1383VE) in the VD300-04FT4MP. EPA Tier 4 Final and EU Stage 5 dual certification applies. The 18.5-gallon DEF tank is shared with the full VD100–VD300 mobile range. Rated power is available to 4,921 ft (1,500 m) at 122°F (50°C). Exhaust temperature of 753°F is notably low for this output class, reflecting the large displacement relative to rated power.
What controller does the VD250-04FT4MP 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 VD250 uses a Stamford S4L1D-D41 alternator — the S4L frame series, which is a step up from the UCI274 series used in smaller VD mobile models.
How does the VD250-04FT4MP compare to the VD200-04FT4MP and VD300-04FT4MP?
All three models share the 260 × 92 in trailer footprint. The VD200 (TAD1180VE, 10.8L, 14,225 lbs, UCDI274J1) to VD250 (TAD1381VE, 12.8L, 15,400 lbs, S4L1D-D41) involves an engine platform change and alternator series change (UCI274 → S4L1D), adding 1,175 lbs for 50 additional kWe. The VD300-04FT4MP above uses the TAD1383VE — the same 12.8L block as the VD250 — on the same 260 × 92 in footprint at 15,700 lbs. The VD250 and VD300 are footprint-compatible and share the same engine family, differing only in calibration and output.
What are the fuel capacity and runtime of the VD250-04FT4MP?
The 350-gallon integral fuel tank at full load (17.3 gph) provides approximately 20 hours of runtime. At 75% load (13.6 gph), runtime extends to approximately 26 hours. The 18.5-gallon DEF tank needs refill approximately every 20 hours at full load. Combustion air draw is 913 CFM; ventilation requirement is 14,196 CFM; heat rejected to coolant is 511,620 BTU/hr; exhaust exits at 753°F at 2,069 CFM. The low exhaust temperature of 753°F means passive DPF regeneration should be monitored on low-load profiles.

Compatible equipment

Engine

Transfer switches

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100–600 kW Tier 4 Final mobile trailer diesel generators on Volvo Penta platforms — all eight models EPA/EU Stage 5 certified.

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