Generac · SD Series (Industrial Diesel)

Generac SD230

230 kW standby / 207 kW prime · Diesel · Liquid-cooled

230 kW industrial diesel standby generator. Turbocharged-aftercooled inline-6, EPA Certified Stationary Emergency, Digital H control with NFPA 110 Level I/II.

Standby power
230 kW / 207 kW prime
Voltage options
120/208V, 120/240V, 277/480V, 346/600V
Frequency / Phase
60 Hz · 3-phase
Engine
Iveco/FPT 8.7L · 8.7L
Alternator
Generac 520 mm

Overview#

The Generac SD230 is a 230-kilowatt industrial diesel standby generator powered by an Iveco/FPT 8.7-liter turbocharged and aftercooled inline-six engine. Positioned between the SD200 and SD250, the SD230 fills the gap for facilities that need more than 200 kW but don't require the full 250 kW capacity. This power class is common for mid-size commercial buildings, multi-tenant properties, and smaller healthcare facilities.

The SD230 shares the Iveco/FPT 8.7L engine platform with the SD200, operating at a higher output point. The Digital H control panel provides NFPA 110 Level I and II programmable operation, Modbus communications, and a 7-day programmable exerciser. Enclosure options range from open skid to Level 2 acoustic-attenuated configurations.

Our Service Experience#

The 230 kW class sits in the sweet spot for medium commercial standby applications. The Iveco 8.7L engine at this power level operates comfortably within its rated capacity, producing reliable performance with standard SD Series maintenance. Fuel consumption of approximately 17 gph at full load means a 400-gallon sub-base tank provides roughly 24 hours of full-load runtime. The cooling system on the 8.7L requires attention to hose condition and coolant quality — we recommend coolant testing at each semi-annual service visit. Weekly exercise under at least 30% load is essential for standby installations.

Engineering specifications

Physical

Length
128 in
Width
54 in
Height
58 in
Dry weight
5,016 lb

Fuel system & runtime

Fuel use @ full load
17 GPH
Fuel use @ 75% load
13.3 GPH
Fuel use @ 50% load
9.5 GPH

Thermal & ventilation

Exhaust flow
1,424 CFM

Documents & downloads

Spec sheets & manuals

Ready to order this model?

Configure your Generac SD230

Lock the enclosure, fuel system, transfer switch, and add-ons — we'll confirm pricing, availability, and lead time within one business day. Prefer a free-form quote? That option is still here.

Estimate runtime for the Generac SD230

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

15.3 hours(0.6 days)

Fuel consumption ≈ 13.11 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 Generac SD230 under standby duty. Field intervals may differ based on load profile, ambient conditions, and fuel quality.

Oil & filter
Every 500 hours or 12 months
Air filter
Every 1000 hours
Fuel filter
Every 500 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
Fuel quality / degradationHard starting, filter clogging, reduced power output4,380+moderate
TurbochargerPower loss, excessive smoke under load, oil consumption15,000+moderate
Coolant systemOverheating, coolant leaks at hose connections12,000+moderate
BatteryFailed to start, slow cranking8,760+minor

Frequently Asked Questions

What engine does the Generac SD230 use?
The Generac SD230 uses an Iveco/FPT 8.7-liter, six-cylinder in-line turbocharged and aftercooled diesel engine running at 1800 RPM. This is the same engine platform used in the SD200 but rated at a higher output point to deliver 230 kW standby power.
What is the fuel consumption of the Generac SD230?
At standby rating, the SD230 consumes approximately 17.0 gallons per hour at full load, 13.3 gph at 75% load, and 9.5 gph at 50% load.
How does the SD230 compare to the SD250?
The SD230 and SD250 share the same Iveco/FPT engine platform but at different power ratings. The SD250 uses a slightly larger or differently configured variant to deliver the additional 20 kW. For applications where 230 kW is sufficient, the SD230 offers a lower cost point while maintaining the same reliability and service profile.

Compatible equipment

Similar models

Generac Generac SD200 200 kW liquid-cooled standby generator

Generac

Generac SD200

200 kW industrial diesel with Iveco/FPT 8.7L engine. 10-15% cost advantage over Kohler. Paralleling-ready controller.

200 kW standby · Diesel · Liquid-cooled

200 kW diesel standby generator. Iveco/FPT 8.7L turbocharged-aftercooled inline-6, EPA Certified Stationary Emergency.

3-phasecommercial-standbylight-industrial
Generac Generac SD250 250 kW liquid-cooled standby generator

Generac

Generac SD250

250 kW industrial diesel at 10-15% below Kohler equivalent. Proven Iveco/FPT engine. Largest US dealer network.

250 kW standby · Diesel · Liquid-cooled

250 kW industrial diesel standby generator. Iveco/FPT 8.7L turbocharged-aftercooled inline-6 with common rail injection, EPA Certified Stationary Emergency, Digital H control with NFPA 110 Level I/II.

3-phasecommercial-standbylight-industrial
Generac Generac SG230 230 kW liquid-cooled standby generator

Generac

Generac SG230

230 kW natural gas standby. No fuel storage permits needed. 10-15% below Kohler. Paralleling capability.

230 kW standby · Natural Gas · Liquid-cooled

230 kW standby natural gas generator with Generac 14.2L inline-6 turbocharged/aftercooled spark-ignited engine. EPA certified stationary emergency and non-emergency. Demand response ready.

3-phasecommercial-standbyindustrial-standby

Need service or parts for the Generac SD230?

We service every major OEM and stock genuine parts for the most common models.