Duthie Power Frequently Asked Questions
Listed below are common questions we receive from customers, along with their respective answers.
Please give us a call at 1-800-899-3931 if you have any other questions we have not answered here.
Our comprehensive generator, ATS, and fire pump services include preventive maintenance, diagnostics, overhauls, installation, repairs, rebuilding, and rentals. Additional services include ATS service, repair, replacement and upgrades, plus load banking, fuel system polishing, fluid sampling, generator motor rewinding, component reconditioning, cabling, and rental deployment and connection.
We sell new generators, including equipment and parts, across most makes and models. In conjunction with the expertise of subcontractors, we can also help procure air and building permits for new generator installations. We can sell diesel, natural gas, and LP vapor or liquid fuel (spark-ignited) engine-powered generators, in both standby and portable configurations. Additionally, we can provide essential generator equipment such as fuel tanks, automatic transfer switches, distribution panels, cables, load banks, etc.
We serve various industries, including hospitals, commercial and industrial facilities, communications, data centers, refineries, schools, amusement parks, utility companies, government agencies, and residential sites.
Rental options are available, and we offer 24/7 emergency power restoration and repair services year-round. Our operations are EPA-compliant and follow AQMD and CARB standards.
Duthie Power Services has two main offices in Long Beach, CA and Escondido, CA. We are headquartered in Long Beach, but we offer our full range of services to the greater San Diego region.
Duthie Power Services offers generator maintenance, repair and installation services to all Southern California, from Fresno and San Luis Obispo Counties down to San Diego and Imperial Counties. Customers seek Duthie Power’s generator services from all major SoCal cities and regions, including Santa Barbara, Bakersfield, San Fernando Valley, Santa Monica, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Irvine, Anaheim, Inland Empire, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Escondido, and more.
Duthie Power Services has been in business since 1965 and is proud to still be run as a family-owned business.
We are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for your emergency power needs. For non-emergency requests, our San Diego and Long Beach offices are open during regular working hours – 730am to 430pm, Monday through Friday.
Our technicians and fleet of rental equipment are ready to be deployed whenever and wherever to help you restore power. The Duthie Power Rental Team has the expertise and tools to get the power back on in the event you don’t have standby equipment or the equipment is not sufficient to meet your needs.
Yes, we do rent generators at Duthie Power! We have sizes available to rent from 22 KW to 1,500 KW diesel engines. You can learn more on our rental page.
Yes! At Duthie Power, we offer multiple rental items for rent such as Automatic Transfer Switches (ATS), fuel tanks, distribution panels, cables, ramps and spider boxes, whatever you need to keep your facility up and running.
A load bank is a device used to test an emergency generator by simulating electrical loads in a controlled manner. The test is conducted in timed increments, gradually increasing the load in predefined steps to evaluate the generator’s performance under varying conditions. Throughout the test, the load bank, rather than the building, applies a calculated load to the generator. As the load increases, the generator’s amperage rises, resulting in higher kilowatt (kW) output. This process allows us to verify that the generator is operating within its optimal specifications. At each load step, multiple readings are taken to assess and validate the generator’s performance. For more details, check out our Load Bank blog and watch our video.
At Duthie Power Services, we offer load bank testing as a standalone service or as part of a service contract integrated into your annual standby power system maintenance. This test does not affect your building’s power; however, during the test, emergency power can be temporarily unavailable in the unlikely event of an outage during the test. We can reconnect rather quickly should an interruption occur.
Our load bank testing includes a comprehensive report detailing generator output readings such as voltage, amperage, and kilowatt (kW) output, along with engine diagnostics like oil pressure and coolant temperature etc. This process helps identify potential issues within the engine or electrical generating systems, ensuring your generator operates at peak performance.
We provide delivery of both diesel and propane directly to your work site. *Depending on access.
Yes! We have Maintenance Agreements that can be tailored to meet your needs. Monthly, Quarterly, Semi-annual, and Annual plans are all common choices. We can also put together multi-year agreements, at your request. Contact us today to get started with a custom agreement, just for your equipment!
Yes we do! In fact, we specialize in performing preventative maintenance, diagnostic and service on all makes and models of diesel fire pump engines.
Duthie Power has always offered our services to homeowners seeking large, commercial generators; however, we no longer manage smaller residential generator sales and installations. We do have a network of excellent electrical contractors across Southern California and would be happy to connect you to someone in your area. Below is a list of the top local contractors we recommend you call to schedule a job walk for an estimate on installation:
Los Angeles and the Valley – Amur Abrahamyan of Expert Electric, californiaexel@gmail.com
Orange County – Matt Giles of Matt Giles Construction, mattgilesconstruction@yahoo.com
Riverside County and San Bernardino County – Steve Aceves of Caliber Electric, caliberelectricservices@gmail.com
San Diego County – Vince Saavedra of Massiv Construction, vince@massivconstruction.com
To help you navigate your options for home backup power, outlined below are two common options homeowners choose.
Option 1: Stationary Generator w/ ATS ($12k-18k for install/$4k-6k for equipment) Approx $22k
- During a power outage, this unit would automatically turn on and switch your home to generator power within 8-10 seconds.
- The generator will require annual service
- Does require county permits.
- Runs off Natural Gas or Propane.
Option 2: Tri-fuel Champion Portable (No Installation/ $1.2k-1.5k for equipment) Approx $1.5k
- During a power outage, you would need to roll this unit outside and run extension cords to the appliances you wish to power.
- Would still require some maintenance.
- No permitting.
- Runs off Natural gas, Propane & Gasoline.
Do you have 5’ of clearance around your home? In general, your generator needs 5′ of clearance from your property line and if located near your home, 5’ of clearance from any windows.
HOA and Permit Approvals – Permits for the generator are the homeowner’s responsibility and vary by city and county, depending on where you live. Duthie Power Services is not responsible for any HOA approvals.
We no longer service RV generators, but we recommend reaching out to one of the service companies listed below who can assist you:
Dennis Dillon RV Sales & Service (714) 890-1444 5400 Garden Grove Blvd., Westminster, CA 92683, https://ddrv.com/
Mike Thompson RV Super Stores 213-344-1794 Santa Fe Springs, Fountain Valley, Colton, and Cathedral City in California, https://www.mikethompson.com/locations
Common signs that your generator needs repair include irregular power output, strange noises, difficulty starting, or frequent shutdowns. If you notice a drop in performance or experience any of these issues, it’s crucial to have a skilled technician perform diagnostics to prevent further damage and costly repairs.
Routine maintenance is essential for extending the lifespan of your generator and ensuring reliable performance. We recommend annual inspections, but the frequency may vary based on the generator’s usage and type. Our comprehensive maintenance plans can be tailored to your needs for optimal protection.
Yes, we offer 24/7 emergency generator repair services. Whether your generator fails during a storm or an unexpected outage, our skilled technicians are ready to provide prompt, effective solutions to get your equipment up and running again.
If your generator is over 15 years old, has frequent breakdowns, has components that have become obsolete or difficult to source, or requires expensive repairs, it might be time to consider replacement. Our technicians can assess the condition of your generator and provide honest recommendations based on its performance and repair history.
Our generator maintenance plans include routine inspections, fuel system checks, battery testing, oil changes, and complete diagnostics. This proactive service helps prevent major issues and ensures your generator is ready to perform when needed.
We understand that power emergencies demand immediate action. Our Long Beach and San Diego locations allow us to respond rapidly throughout Southern California, with many emergency deliveries completed within hours of your call. Contact us directly to discuss your timeline and location.
Generator sizing depends on your facility’s power requirements, including essential equipment and systems you need to keep running during an outage. Our team can help you calculate your load requirements and recommend the appropriate generator size from our 22KW to 1,500KW fleet.
Yes, we offer fuel delivery services to keep your rental generator running throughout your rental period. Our team can establish a fuel delivery schedule based on your usage patterns, ensuring you never run low during an extended outage.
Our emergency generator rentals include the generator unit itself, delivery to your location, setup assistance, and technical support throughout your rental period. We also offer auxiliary equipment including fuel tanks, distribution panels, automatic transfer switches, and cables to create a complete power solution.
Absolutely. We provide both emergency rental generators to restore your power immediately and 24/7 repair services to diagnose and fix your existing equipment. Our technicians can assess whether your generator needs repair, rebuild, or replacement while our rental unit keeps your operations running.
We service and repair all makes and models of generators, including standby generators, portable generators, and industrial generators. Our skilled technicians also handle diesel fire pump engines, generator control panels, automatic transfer switches, and complete Emergency Power Supply Systems (EPSS).
Yes, our emergency repair team is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We typically arrive on site within 2 to 4 hours, depending on your location, ready to diagnose the issue and restore your backup power as quickly as possible.
Our generator maintenance services include a thorough 32-point inspection covering fuel systems, exhaust, filtration, lubrication, cooling, battery, generator controls, transfer switches, remote monitoring, and safety systems. We also offer flexible scheduling options, including monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, annual, or on-demand service.
No, a signed service agreement is not required. We offer flexible preventative maintenance without a formal contract and will automatically include you in our scheduled maintenance notifications. If your facility requires a formal agreement for safety protocols, we can customize a maintenance plan to fit your needs.
Duthie Power provides generator repair service, maintenance, and emergency response throughout all of Southern California, from as far north as Fresno and San Luis Obispo Counties down to San Diego and Imperial Counties. Our offices are located in Long Beach and Escondido, and we serve major cities and regions including Orange County, Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Bakersfield, Irvine, Anaheim, the Inland Empire, Riverside, and San Bernardino.
Generator sizing depends on your total electrical load, meaning the combined wattage of the equipment and systems you need to keep running. Our team can help you calculate your power requirements and recommend the right generator from our 22KW to 2,000KW rental fleet.
For planned projects, we recommend booking as early as possible to confirm availability. For urgent needs, contact us directly. Our Long Beach and San Diego locations allow us to respond quickly throughout Southern California.
Our rentals include the generator unit, delivery, setup assistance, and technical support throughout your rental period. We also supply auxiliary equipment including fuel tanks, distribution panels, automatic transfer switches, and cables for a complete power solution.
Yes. We offer flexible long-term rental programs with scheduled generator maintenance and fuel delivery, so your temporary power solution performs reliably for the full duration of your project.
Our standard rental fleet consists of diesel generators, which provide high output and fuel efficiency for most commercial and industrial applications. Contact us to discuss your specific power generation needs and we’ll find the best rental solution.
We sell all major types of generators, including industrial diesel generators, stationary generators, and portable generators. Since we custom-order from a variety of manufacturers, you have access to different brands and every generator size from portable units up to 2,000 KW.
Generator sizing depends on your facility’s total power requirements, including all electrical equipment and systems that need to stay online during a power outage. Our sales engineers will assess your load demands, factor in your fuel type preference, and recommend a generator with the appropriate power rating for your operation.
A diesel generator refers to the fuel type and engine powering the unit, while a standby generator describes how the unit is used. Many standby generators run on diesel engines because of their high power output and reliability under heavy loads. A standby generator is permanently installed at your facility and activates automatically during a power outage, while a portable diesel generator can be moved between locations as needed. Our team can help you determine which setup best fits your operation.
Absolutely. Our EGSA-certified union technicians provide full installation services, preventative maintenance plans, diagnostics, and 24/7/365 emergency repair. We’ll keep your generator compliant with all regulations and ready to perform whenever you need it.
Yes. We offer portable generators that work well for construction sites, temporary events, and remote locations. If your need is short-term, we also offer commercial generator rentals as an alternative to purchasing.
We work with all leading generator brands on the open market, including Caterpillar, Cummins, Blue Star, Generac, Gillette and Kohler. Since we custom-order every unit, you’re not limited to what’s in stock. Our sales engineers can help you compare different brands and find the best fit for your specific needs.
