What engine is in the VD550-01?

The Volvo Penta TAD1642GE-B — a 16.1-liter inline-six turbocharged-aftercooled diesel rated 821 HP (612 kWm) at 1800 RPM. It is the highest-output variant of the TAD1640/1641/1642GE-B engine family, sharing the same block (5.67 in bore, 6.50 in stroke, 16.8:1 compression) as the TAD1641GE-B used in the VD500-01. EPA Tier 2 certified with Volvo Penta EMS 2.4 electronic management.

How does the VD550-01 compare to the VD500-01?

Both use the same 16.1L Volvo Penta block and share the same physical dimensions (140 x 72 x 98 in). The TAD1642GE-B (VD550-01) produces 821 HP versus 768 HP for the TAD1641GE-B (VD500-01). The VD550-01 is 350 lbs heavier (10,225 vs 9,875 lbs) and has a lower altitude deration: 4,920 ft (1,500 m) versus 6,562 ft (2,000 m) for the VD500-01. Both are rated at 94 dBA at full load.

What controller does the VD550-01 use?

The DSE DCP7310 — the same controller used across Blue Star's current diesel lineup. It features CAN bus J1939 communications, RS-485 interface, IP 65 front panel rating, and remote communications via DSE2548 annunciator. cULus Listed and NFPA 110 Level 1 compatible.

What is the altitude deration for the VD550-01?

Rated power is available up to 4,920 ft (1,500 m) at ambient temperatures to 122F (50C). This is lower than the VD500-01's 6,562 ft ceiling because the TAD1642GE-B is tuned closer to the 16.1L block's peak output. For sites above 4,920 ft, the VD500-01 with its 6,562 ft ceiling is the safer specification if 500 kW is sufficient.

Blue Star Power Systems · Volvo Penta Diesel Standby

Blue Star VD550-01

Name: Blue Star VD550-01
Brand: Blue Star Power Systems
Availability: PreOrder

550 kW standby · Diesel · Liquid-cooled

550 kW Tier 2 diesel standby generator from Blue Star Power Systems. Volvo Penta TAD1642GE-B 16.1L inline-six with DSE DCP7310 controller, 208-600V output.

Standby power: 550 kW
Voltage options: 120/208V, 120/240V, 277/480V, 347/600V
Frequency / Phase: 60 Hz · 1/3-phase
Engine: Volvo Penta TAD1642GE-B · 16.1L
EPA / Emissions: Tier 2
Alternator: Stamford HCI534E

Commercial Healthcare Hospitality Government Manufacturingdata-center-edgeData Centers

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Overview#

The Blue Star VD550-01 is a 550-kilowatt EPA Tier 2 diesel standby generator built around the Volvo Penta TAD1642GE-B — the highest-output variant of the TAD1640/1641/1642GE-B engine family. At 821 HP, it extracts the maximum from the 16.1L platform. This is a current-production active model.

The VD550-01 shares its physical footprint with the VD500-01 (140 x 72 x 98 in), making it a drop-in upgrade when 500 kW is marginal for the load study.

The Volvo Penta TAD1642GE-B platform#

The TAD1642GE-B tops the updated 16.1L engine family:

Same 16.1L displacement as the TAD1641GE-B (VD500-01) — identical bore (5.67 in), stroke (6.50 in), and compression ratio (16.8:1)
Peak output — 821 HP (612 kWm gross) at 1800 RPM, the highest of the three TAD164xGE-B variants
Air-to-air charge-air cooling — noted specifically on the VD550-01 spec sheet
4,920 ft altitude ceiling — lower than the VD500-01's 6,562 ft due to the higher output tuning, but still adequate for most Northern California installations
Dual-frequency switching — 1500/1800 RPM via EMS 2.4

Variant selection guide#

The VD550-01 is the top of the TAD1640/1641/1642GE-B range:

VD500-01 (500 kW, Volvo TAD1641GE-B 16.1L) — same physical footprint, 50 kW less, but with a superior 6,562 ft altitude ceiling. Choose this for high-altitude sites or when 500 kW meets the load study.
VD600-03 (600 kW, Volvo Penta) — the next step up, moving to a larger Volvo Penta engine platform for sites needing more than 550 kW.
VD450-01 (450 kW, Volvo TAD1650GE 16.1L) — different 16.1L design, EPA Tier 3, lower kW class.

When to spec the VD550-01#

440-550 kW continuous emergency standby loads on diesel fuel at sites below 4,920 ft elevation
Large commercial and industrial facilities: hospitals, data centers, large manufacturing plants, campus power systems
Applications where EPA Tier 2 is permitted for stationary emergency standby
Load studies where 500 kW (VD500-01) is marginal but 600 kW (VD600-03) is oversized

Our service experience#

The TAD1642GE-B shares all service procedures, fluid capacities (12.7 gal oil, 15.9 gal coolant), and filter cross-references with the TAD1641GE-B (VD500-01). The self de-aerating fuel system and fuel shut-off valve are service advantages shared across the TAD164xGE-B family. The 94 dBA open-skid sound level requires enclosed installation for all but the most remote sites. The DSE DCP7310 controller and Stamford HCI534 alternator maintain parts commonality across the Blue Star lineup.#

Engineering specifications

Physical

Length: 140 in
Width: 72 in
Height: 98 in
Dry weight: 10,225 lb

Acoustic

Sound @ 7m, full load: 94 dBA
Enclosure: Open

Fuel system & runtime

Fuel use @ full load: 37.4 GPH
Fuel use @ 75% load: 28.1 GPH
Fuel use @ 50% load: 18.8 GPH

Thermal & ventilation

Heat to coolant: 846,240 BTU/hr
Heat radiated: 643,440 BTU/hr
Exhaust flow: 4,153 CFM
Exhaust temp: 954 °F
Combustion air: 1,603 CFM

Documents & downloads

Spec sheets & manuals

Spec sheet (datasheet)

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Estimate runtime for the Blue Star VD550-01

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

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Generator size

Fuel

Fuel tank capacity

gal

Load

Override full-load GPH (optional)

GPH

Estimated runtime

6.9 hours(0.3 days)

Fuel consumption ≈ 28.85 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 VD550-01 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
Turbocharger(s)	Major power loss, heavy exhaust smoke	12,000+	severe
Fuel quality / degradation	Injector fouling, hard starting	4,380+	moderate
Battery bank (24V)	Failed start, slow cranking	8,760+	minor

Frequently Asked Questions

What engine is in the VD550-01?: The Volvo Penta TAD1642GE-B — a 16.1-liter inline-six turbocharged-aftercooled diesel rated 821 HP (612 kWm) at 1800 RPM. It is the highest-output variant of the TAD1640/1641/1642GE-B engine family, sharing the same block (5.67 in bore, 6.50 in stroke, 16.8:1 compression) as the TAD1641GE-B used in the VD500-01. EPA Tier 2 certified with Volvo Penta EMS 2.4 electronic management.
How does the VD550-01 compare to the VD500-01?: Both use the same 16.1L Volvo Penta block and share the same physical dimensions (140 x 72 x 98 in). The TAD1642GE-B (VD550-01) produces 821 HP versus 768 HP for the TAD1641GE-B (VD500-01). The VD550-01 is 350 lbs heavier (10,225 vs 9,875 lbs) and has a lower altitude deration: 4,920 ft (1,500 m) versus 6,562 ft (2,000 m) for the VD500-01. Both are rated at 94 dBA at full load.
What controller does the VD550-01 use?: The DSE DCP7310 — the same controller used across Blue Star's current diesel lineup. It features CAN bus J1939 communications, RS-485 interface, IP 65 front panel rating, and remote communications via DSE2548 annunciator. cULus Listed and NFPA 110 Level 1 compatible.
What is the altitude deration for the VD550-01?: Rated power is available up to 4,920 ft (1,500 m) at ambient temperatures to 122F (50C). This is lower than the VD500-01's 6,562 ft ceiling because the TAD1642GE-B is tuned closer to the 16.1L block's peak output. For sites above 4,920 ft, the VD500-01 with its 6,562 ft ceiling is the safer specification if 500 kW is sufficient.

Compatible equipment

Transfer switches

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