What engine is in the VD300-04FT4?

The Volvo Penta TAD1383VE — a 12.8-liter (780 cu in) inline-six turbocharged-aftercooled diesel rated 469 HP (345 kWm) at 1800 RPM with a 16.8:1 compression ratio. The TAD1383VE is the higher-output variant of the TAD1381VE (VD250-04FT4), sharing the same Tier 4 Final 12.8L block (bore 5.16 in, stroke 6.22 in). EPA Tier 4 Final and EU Stage 5 certified with SCR/DPF/DOC triple aftertreatment.

Does the VD300-04FT4 require DEF?

Yes. DEF consumption is approximately 6.30% of fuel consumption — higher than the 5.10% rate on the VD250-04FT4 due to the increased power output. The 18.5-gallon DEF tank is the same size as the VD250-04FT4. At full load (21.1 gph fuel), DEF consumption is approximately 1.33 gph.

How does the VD300-04FT4 compare to the Tier 3 VD300-01?

The Tier 3 VD300-01 uses a 12.8L TAD1353GE engine rated 469 HP without aftertreatment. The Tier 4 Final VD300-04FT4 uses the TAD1383VE — the same 12.8L block upgraded with SCR/DPF/DOC aftertreatment for Tier 4 Final / EU Stage 5 compliance. The T4F model requires DEF and is heavier (8,900 lbs), but meets current emissions standards required in California and CARB-aligned jurisdictions. This model replaces the legacy VD300-02FT4.

How does the VD300-04FT4 compare to the VD250-04FT4?

Both use the same 12.8L Volvo Penta block and share the same physical footprint (120 x 66 x 91 in). The TAD1383VE (VD300-04FT4) produces 469 HP versus 388 HP for the TAD1381VE (VD250-04FT4). The VD300-04FT4 is 175 lbs heavier (8,900 vs 8,725 lbs), consumes more fuel (21.1 vs 17.3 gph at full load), and has a higher DEF consumption rate (6.30% vs 5.10%). Sound level is 87 dBA vs 86 dBA at 7m.

What engine is in the VD300-04FT4?

The Volvo Penta TAD1383VE — a 12.8-liter (780 cu in) inline-six turbocharged-aftercooled diesel rated 469 HP (345 kWm) at 1800 RPM with a 16.8:1 compression ratio. The TAD1383VE is the higher-output variant of the TAD1381VE (VD250-04FT4), sharing the same Tier 4 Final 12.8L block (bore 5.16 in, stroke 6.22 in). EPA Tier 4 Final and EU Stage 5 certified with SCR/DPF/DOC triple aftertreatment.

Does the VD300-04FT4 require DEF?

Yes. DEF consumption is approximately 6.30% of fuel consumption — higher than the 5.10% rate on the VD250-04FT4 due to the increased power output. The 18.5-gallon DEF tank is the same size as the VD250-04FT4. At full load (21.1 gph fuel), DEF consumption is approximately 1.33 gph.

How does the VD300-04FT4 compare to the Tier 3 VD300-01?

The Tier 3 VD300-01 uses a 12.8L TAD1353GE engine rated 469 HP without aftertreatment. The Tier 4 Final VD300-04FT4 uses the TAD1383VE — the same 12.8L block upgraded with SCR/DPF/DOC aftertreatment for Tier 4 Final / EU Stage 5 compliance. The T4F model requires DEF and is heavier (8,900 lbs), but meets current emissions standards required in California and CARB-aligned jurisdictions. This model replaces the legacy VD300-02FT4.

How does the VD300-04FT4 compare to the VD250-04FT4?

Both use the same 12.8L Volvo Penta block and share the same physical footprint (120 x 66 x 91 in). The TAD1383VE (VD300-04FT4) produces 469 HP versus 388 HP for the TAD1381VE (VD250-04FT4). The VD300-04FT4 is 175 lbs heavier (8,900 vs 8,725 lbs), consumes more fuel (21.1 vs 17.3 gph at full load), and has a higher DEF consumption rate (6.30% vs 5.10%). Sound level is 87 dBA vs 86 dBA at 7m.

Blue Star Power Systems · Diesel Product Line (Volvo Penta, 300 kW, Tier 4 Final)

New

Blue Star VD300-04FT4

Name: Blue Star VD300-04FT4
Brand: Blue Star Power Systems
Availability: PreOrder

300 kW standby · Diesel · Liquid-cooled

300 kW Tier 4 Final diesel standby/prime generator from Blue Star Power Systems. Volvo Penta TAD1383VE 12.8L inline-six with SCR/DPF/DOC, DSE DCP7310 controller, 208-600V.

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Standby power: 300 kW / 300 kW prime
Voltage options: 120/208V, 277/480V, 347/600V
Frequency / Phase: 60 Hz · 3-phase
Engine: Volvo Penta TAD1383VE · 12.8L
EPA / Emissions: Tier 4 Final
Alternator: Stamford S4L1D-E41

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Overview#

The Blue Star VD300-04FT4 is a 300-kilowatt EPA Tier 4 Final / EU Stage 5 diesel standby/prime generator built around the Volvo Penta TAD1383VE — the higher-output variant of the 12.8-liter inline-six producing 469 HP at 1800 RPM. This is a current-production active model that replaces the legacy VD300-02FT4.

The TAD1383VE shares the same 12.8L block (bore 5.16 in, stroke 6.22 in) as the TAD1381VE in the VD250-04FT4, tuned to a higher output for applications where 250 kW is insufficient. Both models share the same physical footprint, making them interchangeable from a site-planning perspective.

The Volvo Penta TAD1383VE platform#

The TAD1383VE is the higher-output variant of the Tier 4 Final 12.8L engine family:

12.8L (780 cu in) inline-six — bore of 5.16 in and stroke of 6.22 in, identical block to the TAD1381VE
16.8:1 compression ratio — optimized for Tier 4 Final combustion
469 HP (345 kWm) at 1800 RPM — paired with the Stamford S4L1D-E41 alternator (480V) or S4L1S-E4 (600V) with +/-0.50% voltage regulation
SCR/DPF/DOC triple aftertreatment with 18.5-gallon DEF tank at 6.30% consumption
EPA Tier 4 Final + EU Stage 5 dual certification
4,921 ft altitude ceiling without deration

Variant selection guide#

VD250-04FT4 (250 kW, Volvo TAD1381VE 12.8L I-6, Tier 4 Final) — same block, lower output. Choose if 250 kW meets the load study and lower fuel/DEF consumption is preferred.
VD550-04FT4 (550 kW, Volvo TWD1682GE 16.12L I-6, Tier 4 Final) — next step up to the 16.12L platform for loads above 300 kW.
VD300-01 (300 kW, Volvo TAD1353GE 12.8L I-6, Tier 3) — the Tier 3 equivalent, for jurisdictions where Tier 3 is still permitted.
VD300-02FT4 (300 kW, Volvo TAD1373VE 12.8L I-6, Tier 4 Final) — the legacy Tier 4 Final model this unit replaces.

When to spec the VD300-04FT4#

250-300 kW emergency standby or continuous prime loads on diesel fuel
Jurisdictions requiring Tier 4 Final or EU Stage 5 emissions compliance (California CARB for non-emergency prime)
Large commercial facilities: hospitals, hotels, campus power, municipal buildings, edge data centers, light industrial
Sites at any elevation up to 4,921 ft

Our service experience#

The TAD1383VE shares all mechanical service procedures with the TAD1381VE (VD250-04FT4) — same block, same filter cross-references, same fluid capacities. The SCR/DPF/DOC aftertreatment requires periodic DPF ash cleaning, regular DEF replenishment (18.5-gallon tank, 6.30% consumption rate), and monitoring via the DSE DCP7310 controller. The 120 x 66 x 91 in footprint is identical to the VD250-04FT4, simplifying fleet standardization when both sizes are deployed across a portfolio of sites.#

Engineering specifications

Physical

Length: 120 in
Width: 66 in
Height: 91 in
Dry weight: 8,900 lb

Acoustic

Sound @ 7m, full load: 87 dBA
Enclosure: Open

Fuel system & runtime

Fuel use @ full load: 21.1 GPH
Fuel use @ 75% load: 16.6 GPH
Fuel use @ 50% load: 11.9 GPH
DEF tank: 18.5 gal

Thermal & ventilation

Heat to coolant: 582,660 BTU/hr
Heat radiated: 368,040 BTU/hr
Exhaust flow: 1,823 CFM
Exhaust temp: 893 °F
Combustion air: 931 CFM

Documents & downloads

Spec sheets & manuals

Spec sheet (datasheet)

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Estimate runtime for the Blue Star VD300-04FT4

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

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Fuel

Fuel tank capacity

gal

Load

Override full-load GPH (optional)

GPH

Estimated runtime

12.3 hours(0.5 days)

Fuel consumption ≈ 16.28 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 VD300-04FT4 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 is in the VD300-04FT4?: The Volvo Penta TAD1383VE — a 12.8-liter (780 cu in) inline-six turbocharged-aftercooled diesel rated 469 HP (345 kWm) at 1800 RPM with a 16.8:1 compression ratio. The TAD1383VE is the higher-output variant of the TAD1381VE (VD250-04FT4), sharing the same Tier 4 Final 12.8L block (bore 5.16 in, stroke 6.22 in). EPA Tier 4 Final and EU Stage 5 certified with SCR/DPF/DOC triple aftertreatment.
Does the VD300-04FT4 require DEF?: Yes. DEF consumption is approximately 6.30% of fuel consumption — higher than the 5.10% rate on the VD250-04FT4 due to the increased power output. The 18.5-gallon DEF tank is the same size as the VD250-04FT4. At full load (21.1 gph fuel), DEF consumption is approximately 1.33 gph.
How does the VD300-04FT4 compare to the Tier 3 VD300-01?: The Tier 3 VD300-01 uses a 12.8L TAD1353GE engine rated 469 HP without aftertreatment. The Tier 4 Final VD300-04FT4 uses the TAD1383VE — the same 12.8L block upgraded with SCR/DPF/DOC aftertreatment for Tier 4 Final / EU Stage 5 compliance. The T4F model requires DEF and is heavier (8,900 lbs), but meets current emissions standards required in California and CARB-aligned jurisdictions. This model replaces the legacy VD300-02FT4.
How does the VD300-04FT4 compare to the VD250-04FT4?: Both use the same 12.8L Volvo Penta block and share the same physical footprint (120 x 66 x 91 in). The TAD1383VE (VD300-04FT4) produces 469 HP versus 388 HP for the TAD1381VE (VD250-04FT4). The VD300-04FT4 is 175 lbs heavier (8,900 vs 8,725 lbs), consumes more fuel (21.1 vs 17.3 gph at full load), and has a higher DEF consumption rate (6.30% vs 5.10%). Sound level is 87 dBA vs 86 dBA at 7m.

Compatible equipment

Transfer switches

Tier 33-phasecommerciallarge-commercial

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