Generator PTO generator speed

[RonMar]

I am in agreement with Djradz. voltage excursions are far more an issue than freq excursions are. Purely resistive loads such as heating elements don't care about frequency. But the first thing pretty much all electronic devices do these days is take that AC and convert it to DC using either a rectifyer or switching power supply. Neither of which particularly care what the frequency is either. But depending on the design, they will cook themselves trying to maintain their regulated design output when the input voltage drops low. Inductive motors will run at a slower or faster speed depending on frequency, like the electric clock example given earlier.

I also highly reccomend the Kill-a-Watt. IMO, no one who makes their own power should be without one. One of the best features is that it plugs into any wall outlet, so you can check the generator voltage and freq output from whatever room in the house you are occupying. When on generator power, I keep mine plugged into a living room wall outlet most of the time. It gets moved to the kitchen when we cook as that really can use every watt of my 3KW available. Because of the mechanical governor on my engine(much like that of a tractor), I can also gauge engine load by the frequency. I set my generator RPM for 62HZ no load, and I am at full engine load at 58HZ. It has proven to be a pretty linear progression, so at a glance, I also know what the generator load is.

The Kill-a-Watt is also excellent for measuring appliance loads to help determine exactly what your electrical demands are. You can find them online at E-bay and such, and Harbor Freight tools also usually has them on the shelf in their stores as well as their website.

 

[zzvyb6]

I second the "Kill A Watt" device. Its good insurance for knowing what voltage AND frequency is output from my alternator. You can also use it to measure power consumption by things like your computer (even when in hibernate mode), and my new LCD flat screen tv. Yikes, thats a home heating device as well as a HDTV... ! Got mine on ebay, came 2 days later.

 

[LBrown59]

If it's really coming down, I've got a tarp I can throw over it. Flip the seat forward to keep it reasonably dry in case I need to use it. I've got two tractors, either of which can run the generator.

Remember, again, this is a tool to be used, not a museum piece. In 90+% of the cases, your tractor spent the first few months of its life exposed to the weather. *One or two nights in a storm isn't going to cause any malfunction.

Mine is sitting in the same place it always sits.
*Why, is yours allergic to rain or ice?

*I'd just prefer to keep it out of the weather when/if at all possible.
My idea of a Gen is to place it in the garage next to or close to the circuit breaker electrical panel.L . B .

 

[jeffinsgf]

*I'd just prefer to keep it out of the weather when/if at all possible.
My idea of a Gen is to place it in the garage next to or close to the circuit breaker electrical panel.L . B .

Unless you're leaving that garage open and have a better door between your garage and the house than I do, that's a real quick way to die.

 

[jeffinsgf]

For you guys that obviously know a lot more about electricity than I do, is it safe to say that if I have the frequency dialed in to 60Hz that my voltage is going to be correct, too?

I know that a lot of things are rated for 50/60 Hz, but I also know that a 50Hz rated motor running on 60Hz power has a short life ahead of it. I assumed the same was true in reverse. Sorry I misspoke.

 

[RonMar]

For you guys that obviously know a lot more about electricity than I do, is it safe to say that if I have the frequency dialed in to 60Hz that my voltage is going to be correct, too?

If the form of voltage regulation used by your generator is operating correctly, and you are within the load limitations of the generator, then yes if you are getting 60HZ out of the gen, then the voltage should also be correct.

 

[MJPetersen]

I have in my tool box an old meter for reading Hz from off a Cat genset. I used it to set up the governor on generators. it basically had little fingers that vibrated according to frequency and each finger was a different frequency between 57 and 63 Hz. Whichever finger was vibrating the most indicated the frequency--the ends of the fingers were painted white so they made what appeared to be a stripe as they vibrated.

It worked for me, but I am sure that the new electronic units like mentioned are FAR superior. I remember having to a bit of playing around to get it close enough so that the frequency would even be in the range of my rather limited scale.

Mike

 

[johan3400]

Where is your tractor going to be setting through out an ice storm while it's powering the Gen.?
This is just one of the problems I see with a P T O Gen.!
L . B .

My tractor will be sitting in the shed through most of the storm and if needed it will be out in the elements. Mine is a farm tractor. Each day, rain, snow or sunshine my tractor and I spend at least an hour working. I put it back in the shed when it is done. I clean it often and wax it several times each year. Just like me when the work needs to be done outside we get it done.

 

[LBrown59]

My tractor will be sitting in the shed through most of the storm and if needed it will be out in the elements. Mine is a farm tractor. Each day, rain, snow or sunshine my tractor and I spend at least an hour working. I put it back in the shed when it is done. I clean it often and wax it several times each year. Just like me when the work needs to be done outside we get it done.

I don't I just don't like the thought of my tractor sitting out side powering a Gen. for 2 or 3 weeks in the hart of a 4 or 5 foot snow storm or a big ice storm .

 

[LBrown59]

Unless you're leaving that garage open and have a better door between your garage and the house than I do, that's a real quick way to die.

My garage isn't connected to the house .
The Gen. would be vented to the out side also.