Generator 15KW PTO Generator Harbor Freight

[LittleBill21]

i have a couple items that have issue with my HF 7k genny, my motion sensors for lights, my digital thermostats, and all my ups's. The ups issue is because most cheap UPS are looking +/- .5 hertz, my HF goes between 59-61. i was looking closer at THD because i bought a everlast welder and they claim less then 10% THD is needed. according to HF the THD on my 7k is <23%

i believe THD is a formula of wave quality voltage regulation and hertz regulation, short of a 4k meter to detect my actual THD, just wondering how many problems people are actually experiencing

mark from everlast was talking about a generator from northern tool Powerhorse Portable Generator — 9000 Surge Watts, 7250 Rated Watts, Electric Start, this generator apparently has less then 5% THD, yet the generator head, and engine are pretty much identical to my HF generator. i don't understand how there can be that big of a THD difference, i looked at mine, everything is copper wound as well, and i was told the number of bolts holding the generator assembly together (2 in in my case) indicate the type of construction, which is also identical to Powerhorse

 

[buickanddeere]

If your Gen lists amps.. Mine doesn't, wattage and volts only. North star unit

Do some math.

 

[buickanddeere]

62.5 but exceeding 80% of that continuously is not recommended .

 

[LittleBill21]

sound what model apc, and what sensitivity are they set at? neither my apc on medium sensitivity or my cyberpower ups's have liked my generators, they keep switching on and off from battery

 

[LittleBill21]

huh?...

 

[bjmsam]

No problem with TRIPP-LITE ECO550UPS when this generator is powering my house as described here.

 

[vsteel]

For those that don't know, if you have watts and voltage you have current. Voltage * Current = Watts. If you know any of the two you have the third.

THD is explained here. Total harmonic distortion - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia for those who don't want to dig into the math and just want the real world basic answer, it is how much your sine wave really looks like a sine wave.

For example in the following picture you can see the second line is the fundamental frequency. This would be your perfect power wave (ignore the 50 hz), that would be what you would ideally get from your generator. The very top line is a horrible Total Harmonic Distortion power output. The top line is the sum of all of the lower lines. The problem is while you do have a perfect fundamental wave output, you also have embedded in the signal the 3rd, 5th, 7th and 9th harmonics.



Electronics that are looking for smooth sine waves are getting rough ones and it will confuse them. Electronics generally want clean power which is defined as less than 6% THD, anything over than that can cause things to not work or shorten the life of sensitive electronics. Things which are resistive loads or just motor like a pump or skill saw can take some horrible power and not be bothered by it.

To know THD you either need to just trust your generator manufacture rating or get a special meter which can measure it.

Northern tools generators are Italian heads. For the most part generators are either made in Italy which all seem to be very high quality or they are made in China which is hit and miss on the quality.

 

[Katahdin]

On the control panel of the HF PTO Generator there is a 120/240 voltage switch. Is that switch used by the Digital Meter to toggle between the voltages for monitoring? Or is the switch for the receptacles and 120 and 240 voltages cannot be used at the same time?

 

[Soundguy]

Hopefully for the meter

 

[Katahdin]

DEAL ALERT!:

You can get the Rural King version now for $879 after a 12% Rebate.

The Rebate is in the form of Rural King merchandise, not cash.

This deal only good until Feb 4th, when the rebate promo ends.

Tool Shed 15,KW PTO Generator 15 PTO by Sigma Powers Products Inc. for $999.99 in Generators - Shop Equipment - Tools : Rural King

 

[Soundguy]

12% I believe.. at least here in florida.

 

[Katahdin]

Yep, 12% is the correct rebate number. I've edited my post. Thanks!

Mine is on its way to Maine, I hope to see it Monday or Tuesday. $200 for shipping from Illinois.

 

[slotoro]

For anyone who is still considering this generator. The Torq version that I bought in 2009 is still going strong. No issues.

 

[newbury]

DEAL ALERT!:

You can get the Rural King version now for $879 after a 12% Rebate.

The Rebate is in the form of Rural King merchandise, not cash.

This deal only good until Feb 4th, when the rebate promo ends.

Tool Shed 15,KW PTO Generator 15 PTO by Sigma Powers Products Inc. for $999.99 in Generators - Shop Equipment - Tools : Rural King

This deserves a separate thread with the price in the title. 15KW for $880 is a door buster deal. I'd buy one but I've already got a 12KW Winco.

 

[Soundguy]

Man.. pto shaft included! when i bought my northstar for 1000$ back in 04, I had to go buy a 100$ pto shaft too.

Defiantely the time to get into a large pto generator if you don't have one, but need one.

 

[Katahdin]

For anyone who is still considering this generator. The Torq version that I bought in 2009 is still going strong. No issues.

Thank you for that update! I figured if a lot of these were breaking down by now we'd hear about it, so I'm pleased to know that's not the case.

I had a really hard time deciding between this generator and the IMD brushless types. I almost pulled the trigger when Rural King dropped the price to $999, but then had to when they added the 12% rebate.

I also noticed you can get replacement brushes and AVRs now on eBay, so that's a plus for finding spare parts. I might pick up a set just to have on hand.

I'm also wondering if its easy to swap out the 50 amp components (outlet, breakers, wires) and upgrade the outlet to 60amp to take advantage of the genny's full power. I'll investigate that more after the warranty period has expired. :thumbsup: