Caterpillar · Cat D-Series GC (Diesel)

Cat D500 GC

500 kW standby / 455 kW prime · Diesel · Liquid-cooled

500 kW diesel standby generator from Cat's GC value-engineered line. C15 turbocharged inline-6 with simplified controls for institutional standby.

Standby power
500 kW / 455 kW prime
Voltage options
277/480V, 346/600V
Frequency / Phase
60 Hz · 3-phase
Engine
Caterpillar C15 · 15.2L
EPA / Emissions
Tier 4 Final
standbyHealthcareCommercialmanufacturingData Centershigh-rise
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Overview#

The Cat D500 GC is a 500-kilowatt diesel standby generator from Cat's GC value-engineered line. The C15 turbocharged inline-6 (15.2L) delivers institutional-grade power for hospitals, campuses, and manufacturing facilities in a cost-optimized package.

Entering the institutional segment#

500 kW marks the transition from commercial to institutional power. The D500 GC serves facilities where reliable standby is critical — hospitals with life-safety loads, manufacturing plants with continuous processes, and large campuses. The C15's 15.2 liters provide excellent step-load performance and thermal margin.

Our service perspective#

The C15 is a major Cat engine platform with decades of field history in power generation, mining, and marine applications. The D500 GC shares all engine service procedures with the standard C15 genset. At 500 kW, cooling system integrity and fuel quality are key maintenance priorities.

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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.

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Estimate runtime for the Cat D500 GC

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

7.4 hours(0.3 days)

Fuel consumption ≈ 27.00 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Cat D500 GC?
Cat's 500 kW value-engineered diesel generator using the proven C15 inline-6 engine (15.2L). It enters the institutional power segment where 500 kW covers hospitals, large campuses, and manufacturing facilities.
How does the D500 GC differ from the standard Cat C15 genset?
Same C15 engine platform. The standard C15 genset offers advanced paralleling, multiple prime ratings, and full EMCP 4 controller options. The D500 GC is streamlined for standalone standby — simpler controls, faster delivery, lower cost.

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