RickB
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Sep 18, 2000
- Messages
- 15,205
- Location
- Up the road from Dollar General WNC
- Tractor
- Just a Scag
I'd be more concerned with your test equipment than the generator.
PTO Generator Question
- Thread starter Harvest Moon
- Start date
TRR
Gold Member
If you're running within 24 seconds per hour, I wouldn't worry about it. Most specs I see for frequency say 60 +/- 5% which would give you +/- 180 seconds per hour. I think your meter is off. And also, because frequency on generators are dependent on RPM so if your rpm is steady, so is your frequency. The only thing I'd worry about being damaged by frequency are some of the AC motors that are frequency dependent.
It's been a long time since I worked in an electronics lab, but I suspect that the reason you're getting strange readings is because your equipment/test gear are not grounded properly. Whereas the power grid is grounded.
It's been a long time since I worked in an electronics lab, but I suspect that the reason you're getting strange readings is because your equipment/test gear are not grounded properly. Whereas the power grid is grounded.
OP
Harvest Moon
Gold Member
- Joined
- Nov 16, 2007
- Messages
- 357
- Tractor
- Kubota L3400 HST-F
Felt lucky to get it for $700, although I've seen listings where they've gone for $400 at farm auctions. I've also seen them listed for sale at $1400.
OP
Harvest Moon
Gold Member
- Joined
- Nov 16, 2007
- Messages
- 357
- Tractor
- Kubota L3400 HST-F
Never did develop a complete understanding of portable generators and grounding. Seems like if they aren't tied into an earth grounded system, they are not required to be grounded to earth.
Wonder what happens if you grab a live wire and you're standing in a puddle with a non-earth grounded system? And I'm still getting used to the idea that the tractor shares it's 12 volt DC ground with the generators 240 volt AC ground.
Anyway, it makes sense that grounding could be a factor.
crazyal
Super Member
My guess is your generator is noisy and your meter is getting confused or maybe it's picking up on a harmonic frequency.
BethesdaEC
Gold Member
If you plug it into a transfer switch, the ground will pass through to the tractor from your main panel.
Ken
Veteran Member
Remember you have a PTO lighting system that is 50 years old. the name plate tells you the rpm and frequency and voltage.
Your electronic measurment is designed for higher frequencys. so you are measuring apples and oranges.
The farm generator doesnt have the noise suppressors of todays equip.
Removing the covers on rear and clean out mud dubers nests and mouse nests make sure the brushes slip freely on holders and springs hold the brushes have tension. these is a cleaning stone to polish the brush slip rings. get one at a electrical shop.
This will reduce the arcing of brushes and will clean up the frequency reading. Still old meter type reading of 115/120 volts is best to determine power.
Can't wear them out but seems people who have them never take the needed care to keep proper operation when needed.
You got a good buy at $700.00
ken
Your electronic measurment is designed for higher frequencys. so you are measuring apples and oranges.
The farm generator doesnt have the noise suppressors of todays equip.
Removing the covers on rear and clean out mud dubers nests and mouse nests make sure the brushes slip freely on holders and springs hold the brushes have tension. these is a cleaning stone to polish the brush slip rings. get one at a electrical shop.
This will reduce the arcing of brushes and will clean up the frequency reading. Still old meter type reading of 115/120 volts is best to determine power.
Can't wear them out but seems people who have them never take the needed care to keep proper operation when needed.
You got a good buy at $700.00
ken
90cummins
Veteran Member
I have several portable generators including a Generac PTO 25, 25kw/50kw surge unit.
I'm no generator expert but from my experience a generator with brushes tends produces power that is noisy or dirty when there is no load which creates problems getting a good HZ reading.
To resolve that I connect a resistance load such as a hot plate to clean up the power so my Fluke can get a nice stable reading.
I believe the hot plate eliminates the stray current like a capacitor? Perhaps someone here can elaborate on that.
Tim
I'm no generator expert but from my experience a generator with brushes tends produces power that is noisy or dirty when there is no load which creates problems getting a good HZ reading.
To resolve that I connect a resistance load such as a hot plate to clean up the power so my Fluke can get a nice stable reading.
I believe the hot plate eliminates the stray current like a capacitor? Perhaps someone here can elaborate on that.
Tim
Last edited:
