Generator 15KW PTO Generator Harbor Freight

[slotoro]

Has anyone here purchased and used the 15KW PTO generator from Harbor Freight? I would like to hear your thoughts before I buy one. I have used the IMD brand during hurricane Gustav and was very pleased with it but would rather not pay $2500 for one. $1100 sounds much better if the quality is reasonable.

 

[SH84]

I think this is my first time answering someoens question on here but here goes ...


I personally haven't used the PTO you mention from harbor freight but with the hurricane season coming up ive been lookin pretty hard. I know I have seen IMD and Wincro units at the NMF show before and I dont remmber prices that high but maybe they went up. I think both of em had show specials with free freight. I clicked the IMD ad before and I think they offer some kind fo special for members of the site.

I know that may not help much but the one thing I do know is that I'll never by another chicago electric tool or piece fo equipment from harbor freight again. From bit holders that fell apart the first time I used them to needle nose pliers that broke within a week of normal use and air tools that just plain didnt work, im not buy chiago electric again. It may say chicago but its all made in china. I havent decided wether or not im going with a standby generator or a PTO one but I know im not getting one of the ones off harbor freight. The people at my local store dont mind takin returns but if I need power because a hurricane knocked mine out, im gonna be pretty upset if the thing doesnt work.

One last thing, ive seen that same unit on several sites all over the internet under different names, ive seen it blue, yellow, and black and it's all on sites that are known for selling a majority of chinesee product.


Once agian, hope that helps.

 

[slotoro]

SH84,
Thanks for the reply. The cheapest price I found on an IMD 15KW with shaft and 3 point hitch was $2200. If you see anything different please let me know.

 

[Soundguy]

I have a northstar ( northern tools ) 12.5/13kw pto genset.. got it for 999$ in 04. I don't know the name of the manufacturer. but the accompaniing paperwork has chinese characters on it.. so it is an asain unit.

I've used the heck out of it during hurricanes, and as stationary power for a well on my farm property before i had power out there.

soundguy

 

[slotoro]

Soundguy,
It looks like the cost of your generator has gone up to $1400 from Northern Tool. Do you know if your unit has Automatic Voltage Regulation? I am curious to know if this feature is worth looking into.

 

[Treemonkey1000]

You will want automatic voltage regulation to stabilize the voltage somewhat. Placing loads on the generator are going to pull down the voltage and frequency unless the system has some sort of speed governor. The frequency is critical for some electronic items to work right.

 

[Soundguy]

Soundguy,
It looks like the cost of your generator has gone up to $1400 from Northern Tool. Do you know if your unit has Automatic Voltage Regulation? I am curious to know if this feature is worth looking into.

Capacitive ( passive) voltage regulation.

And no.. I've never experienced a problem with it.

I've run just about all the electronics in my house off that ptogenset.. including inductive and motor start loads.. incandescent.. and stuff like tv/radio.

I have a nice comercial VOM with osciliscope and freq counter.. the power coming off that genny as good or better than my line utility.

soundguy

 

[Soundguy]

You will want automatic voltage regulation to stabilize the voltage somewhat. Placing loads on the generator are going to pull down the voltage and frequency unless the system has some sort of speed governor. The frequency is critical for some electronic items to work right.

So far.. capacitive regulation has not let me down.

As for a load dropping frequency and voltage?

Frequency is dependent on rpm.. rpm is dependent on tractor engine.

how many tractor engines you see with no governor?

if the load is within the rated specs of the genny, and the tractor governor is working properly.. you should not see noticeable freq or voltage lags.

Remember.. this is a situation where more is better... if you need a full 15kw and have a 30hp tractor and a 15kw genny.. you are right at the limit. In other words.. try to have extra capacity in the genny AND the tractor. Having extra tractor capacity means loading the genny won't drop the rpm.

IE.. droping a 10k load ( motor start ) on a genny needing 24hp but running her on a large 50-70 hp tractor means you are much less likely to lug down the engine.

I know my 70hp diesel ford 5000 don't even know the 12kw genny is back there even at full electrical load with constant motor starts and stops.. like well and shop equpment.. along with incandescent laods.. and the radio playing while out working on the farm... ( of course.. the old 33hp ford 660 ran it good too... )

soundguy

 

[Ken45101]

If you are looking for a generator to run for long periods of time (e.g. days or weeks for a hurricane), consider the amount of fuel you will consume running your tractor a full throttle. Will you have it stored up in advance? You can't depend on the local dealer to supply fuel.

How much power do you really need? For the price you are talking, you can buy a quiet Honda (or Yamaha) generator which is quiet and doesn't take nearly as much fuel.

 

[Soundguy]

Fuel used should be very close to power consumed.

I'd depend more on my tractor to start vs a whizzbang to start, when really needed..

as for long term power... I wonder how many people are actually needing 24/7 full time power.. vs intermittant power to cool down reefer's every few hours.. pump up wells.. etc..??

soundguy

 

[slotoro]

During hurricane Gustav we were out of power for 3 days and I used a 15KW Generac ultrasource portable gasoline generator to power house. I ran central AC's, water heaters, stove, freezers etc. I did not have any trouble with the power it produced but and noise and fuel consuption were horrible. It produced a very annoying pitch that would fluctuate and keep me up all night. It burned about 1.5 gallon per hour. I sold it right before Hurricane Ike when the demand for generators was high. I then borrowed a 22KW IMD pto generator during hurricane Ike that was much better in both areas. The tractor runs at a constant rpm no matter what load is being put on the generator or what appliances are on in the house. The noise produced is not nearly as loud and aggrivating as the generac. The tractor burned about .85 gal per hour. I just fill up (2) 55 gallon plastic drums before the storm and always have plenty left over. I use a hand pump to fill the generator/tractor. I feel better having diesel around a generator than gasoline. I guess i ran the generator about 12-15 hours a day. I ran it all night to run the AC's and than a few hours during the day. The best thing about using a big whole house generator vs a portable one is using the house wiring and not having to plug and unplug extension cords to power different things. This way whenener you need something just turn on the switch. I feel safer then having extension cords running all over the house with kids around.

 

[Soundguy]

Did the generac's rpm really vary? was it an inverter generator.. or did it's rpm really stay the same, and when under load it just worked harder and got louder to maintain same rpm.

remember.. on a gen head.. rpm=frequency..

soundguy

 

[slotoro]

soundguy,
I believe when the load on the generator would change (more or less) it would take some time (approx 5 sec) for it to adjust and during that time it would pulsate. Kind of like when a motor is running out of gas but not quite that bad. It was just enough to wake you up in the night and keep you up listening to it. It is the same high pitched sound that any other portable contractor grade generator makes but just with a 27hp motor instead of a 10hp.

I have 2 Honda EU2000 generators that I use when camping and those units put off a nice quite hmmm that will put you right to bed. I recommend the Honda EU series to anyone. Costly but well worth it.

 

[Soundguy]

I'd still question the issue about taking 5 seconds to come up to speed / rpm.

If that is true.. then during those 5 seconds your frequency was wrong.

If the engine is taking tht hard of a hit on rpm.. then IMHO.. it or the genny is sized wrong for the application.

remember.. motor start wattages can be double or in some cases, tripple rated wattage...

soundguy

 

[slotoro]

Heres the verdict: I ended up buying a Torq 15K PTO generator off of ebay for $800. It was used as a demo at a trade show and only had 45 min on the time meter. So far I am pleased with the unit. I am going to test it out some more in the next few days. It looks like it is the same unit as the one at Harbor Freight but with a different name on it. I will let you know if it turns out to be junk.

 

[Treemonkey1000]

If you have a voltmeter plug that into it and look at what happens when you have no load and then a large load on it like a big motor or something. More than likely something that big isn't going to give you too much grief.

 

[slotoro]

Treemonkey,
It has an auto voltage regulator that keeps the voltage/hertz pretty much in line. The digital meter on the unit tell you what the levels are. I set it at 60Hz with no load and then turned on central AC unit and a 18000btu PTAC unit and the Hz did not budge off of 60.

 

[Treemonkey1000]

That does sound like a nice unit. I am always leary of accuracy of those meters installed on equipment. But for your applications give or take 5 volts is no big deal. I test electronic equipment accuracy in a laboratory for a living. Sounds like you will be ready to rock and roll with that generator.

 

[Soundguy]

Treemonkey,
It has an auto voltage regulator that keeps the voltage/hertz pretty much in line. The digital meter on the unit tell you what the levels are. I set it at 60Hz with no load and then turned on central AC unit and a 18000btu PTAC unit and the Hz did not budge off of 60.

I question the issue about the auto voltage reg correcting freq.. that's REAL hard to do ( can be done ).. in almost all cases.. freq is a function of rpm.

I think you just had plenty of hp driving a nice large genny with lots of reserve, and the rpm stayed where it needed to be under load... ( just like it should under good conditions ).

800$.. that's a steal.. I paid 999$ for my 12.5kw head..

soundguy

 

[slotoro]

Soundguy,
The sound of the tractor never changed when the AC kicked on. I guess thats why the Hz stayed the same is the RPM stayed the same. The tractor has 35hp at the pto so I guess this size tractor and generator is a good match for the amount of power being drawn. This unit came with the 3 point hitch and pto shaft so I also thought that $800 was a good deal.