Generac · SD/MD Series (Industrial Diesel)

Generac SD3250/MD3250

3250 kW standby · Diesel · Liquid-cooled

3250 kW diesel industrial standby generator. Baudouin 87.5L V16 turbocharged/aftercooled, EPA Certified Stationary Emergency.

Generac Generac SD3250/MD3250 generator — specifications and details
Standby power
3250 kW
Voltage options
277/480V, 346/600V
Frequency / Phase
60 Hz · 3-phase
Engine
Baudouin 87.5L · 87.5L
EPA / Emissions
Tier 2
Alternator
Marathon

Overview#

The Generac SD3250/MD3250 is a 3,250-kilowatt industrial diesel generator -- the highest-output unit in Generac's diesel lineup -- powered by a Baudouin 16M55 87.5-liter V16 turbocharged and aftercooled diesel engine. This unit is EPA Certified for Stationary Emergency applications and represents the peak of Generac's large-frame diesel platform designed for hyperscale data center and mission-critical applications.

Generac pairs the Baudouin engine with a Marathon DataMAX alternator purpose-built for demanding data center applications, emphasizing reliability and low reactance. The Deep Sea Electronics G8601 controller provides comprehensive generator management with advanced PLC functionality, SNMP integration, and IP65-rated display. A redundant starting system with fully isolated battery banks is available to eliminate single points of failure. High-ambient (50 degrees Celsius) cooling packages ensure top performance in the most demanding environments.

Our Service Experience#

The SDMD3250 is the largest diesel generator Generac offers and represents a significant infrastructure installation. At over 3.25 MW, site logistics including foundation engineering, crane access, and delivery routing require extensive advance planning. The Baudouin 87.5L V16 shares the same cylinder architecture as the SD2750 and SD3000, providing parts commonality and familiar service procedures for technicians experienced with the platform. Fuel consumption exceeding 227 gph at full load demands robust bulk fuel storage and supply logistics. The dual-circuit coolant system and pre-lube system are standard on this platform and critical for maintaining engine readiness. Given the mission-critical nature of facilities at this capacity, comprehensive service contracts with guaranteed emergency response times are essential.

Engineering specifications

Fuel system & runtime

Fuel use @ full load
227.5 GPH
Fuel use @ 75% load
175 GPH
Fuel use @ 50% load
127 GPH

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Estimated runtime

1.1 hours(0.0 days)

Fuel consumption ≈ 175.50 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 SD3250/MD3250 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 4000 hours
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, injector fouling, filter clogging, reduced power output4,380+moderate
TurbochargerPower loss, excessive smoke under load, oil consumption15,000+moderate
High pressure common rail injection systemRough running, misfiring cylinders, fuel rail pressure faults20,000+severe
Battery (24 VDC system)Failed to start, slow cranking8,760+minor
Coolant heaterLow coolant temperature alarm, slow start in cold weather20,000+minor

Frequently Asked Questions

What engine does the Generac SDMD3250 use?
The SDMD3250 uses a Baudouin 16M55 87.5-liter V16 turbocharged and aftercooled diesel engine running at 1800 RPM. This is the same engine platform used in the SD2750, SD3000, and the SDMD3250 represents the highest output rating on this platform. The Baudouin M55 features a bore of 7.08 inches (180 mm), stroke of 8.46 inches (215 mm), and high-pressure common rail electronic fuel injection. It is EPA Certified for Stationary Emergency applications.
What is the fuel consumption of the Generac SDMD3250?
At standby rating on ultra-low-sulfur diesel, the SDMD3250 consumes approximately 227.5 gallons per hour at 100% load, 175 gph at 75% load, and 127 gph at 50% load. A 48-hour runtime at 75% load requires over 8,400 gallons, demanding substantial bulk fuel storage infrastructure.
What voltages are available for the SDMD3250?
The SDMD3250 is available in two three-phase configurations: 277/480 VAC and 346/600 VAC, both at 0.8 power factor. At 277/480V, the rated current is approximately 4,891 amps. The standard alternator is a Marathon DataMAX unit purpose-built for data center applications with low reactance for superior motor starting performance.

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