Olympian Generators
Caterpillar's value-tier standby line — Perkins engines with Cat dealer service at 20-30% below Cat pricing
Why buyers choose Olympian
- Cat dealer network at value-tier pricing — access to ~200 US dealers without the Cat price premium
- Perkins engines — globally proven, cost-effective, widely serviceable
- 20-30% below Cat pricing for comparable standby power ratings
- GEP Series covers 8-550 kW — one product line for most light/medium commercial applications
Who Olympian is for
Budget-conscious commercial standby where access to the Cat dealer network matters but the full Cat price premium is unjustifiable.
What to consider before specifying Olympian
- Near-zero resale value vs Cat-branded units
- Limited product range — primarily GEP Series, no large-frame industrial
- Some dealers treat Olympian as second-priority behind Cat-branded product
Olympian is Caterpillar's answer to the mid-market: proven Perkins engines packaged as complete generator sets with Cat dealer support, at a price point 20-30% below full Caterpillar industrial units. The brand targets commercial standby applications — office buildings, retail centers, schools, and light industrial — where reliability matters but the full CAT industrial specification is overkill.
Every Olympian generator uses a Perkins engine, from the compact 404 series (2.2L, 4-cylinder) powering the smallest 15-22 kW models up through the 2000 series (12.5L+) in 500 kW units. The GEP-series naming convention identifies the engine source: GEP = Generator, Electric, Perkins. Gas-fueled models use the GEH prefix. Older models follow a D-series naming convention (D75, D100, D125, D200) that is still commonly found in the installed base.
The practical advantage of Olympian is access to the CAT dealer network without the CAT price tag. The same technicians who service Cat industrial generators maintain Olympian units, and Perkins parts are available globally with short lead times. The trade-off: Olympian generators do not carry the resale premium of full CAT units, and the simplified control panels lack the deep integration and remote monitoring capabilities of Cat's EMCP platform. For buyers who plan to own a generator for its full lifecycle rather than resell, Olympian is often the smarter financial choice.
Frequently asked questions
- What engines do Olympian generators use?
- Olympian generators use Perkins engines exclusively — a Caterpillar subsidiary. Models range from the Perkins 400 series (2.2L, 4-cylinder) in smaller units to the 2000 series (12.5-15L, 6-cylinder) in larger sets. Perkins engines are widely used globally and have excellent parts availability.
- How does Olympian compare to full Caterpillar generators?
- Olympian uses Perkins engines and simplified controls, while full CAT generators use Caterpillar's own engine designs and the EMCP control platform. Olympian units cost 20-30% less and are aimed at commercial standby where the full industrial specification is unnecessary. Both are serviced through the CAT dealer network.
- Is Olympian a good generator brand?
- Olympian is a reliable, well-supported brand for commercial standby applications. The combination of proven Perkins engines, CAT dealer service, and competitive pricing makes them a strong choice for office buildings, retail centers, and light industrial. They lack the resale premium and industrial-grade controls of full CAT units, but for pure standby duty the value proposition is compelling.
Key specs at a glance
- Power range
- 22–220 kW standby
- Fuel types
- diesel
- Engine OEMs
- Perkins
- Alternator OEMs
- Phase options
- 1-phase, 3-phase
- Models in library
- 6
Olympian Product Families
Olympian Units For Sale10
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