Typically pre-lube is not a significant issue compared to post-lube due to the DC battery requirements. The requirements varies by manufacturer. Some 5000 kW GE/Nuovo Pignone turbines may require extensive post-lube (eight-hours) where some 25000 kW GE turbines may not. I don't recall this being a big issue with Solar.
The smallest gen sets I have dealt with were about 1600 kW (900 or 1800 RPM), and at that level the generator bearing required pre-lube, but not the engine.
I think the threshold for prelube has to do with the difficulty/expense/logistics of replacing the bearings in the prime mover.
Most of the yacht generators with which I have dealt, Diesels between 40 and 250 kWE, don't have prelube pumps.
All of the oil rig generators with which I have dealt, mostly natural gas engines 40kWE and above, do have prelube pumps, and oil heaters, which are run on a regular basis to keep the crank and oil warm.
From the smallest to the largest will all benifit from prelube, it for sure will not hurt a thing, especially if there are long time periods that the engine isn't run.
Post lube on the turbos is often an issue. Standard practice on the smaller sets is a cool-down period. A normal stop will shed the load and then let the engine run at no load for a number of minutes to allow the turbo time to spool down before stopping the engine.
I have worked on a lot of shore based sets, both standby and prime power. Size range up to about 1.2 megaWatts. I haven't seen a pre-lube system. I see some crank-case heaters and most turbos have a cool-down stopping sequence.
Bill
--------------------
"Why not the best?"
Jimmy Carter
prelube pump = bearing lifetime
the "damage" done on each start depends upon time required to pressure the lube manifold (viscosity,lenght suction pipe,wear lube pump,...)
small emergency generator engine fitted with pre-lube pump is irrelevant, though it incurs friction on bearing surface but insignificant issue. The engine speeds up to rated speed less than 5 seconds, lube pressure builds up..with less than 45 seconds upon start up it supplies power to the system, in compliance of SOLAS requirements.