Build your own generator

[jonyyuma]

If you are interested in a higher output motor, I have a 2.2 isusu diesel engine @62 hp, listed in classified ads here, complete pack still in s10 pu. Should make a great stationary unit. Just a thought..JY.

 

[BHD]

my basic take on the subject,

I have a 3400 watt small generator on a Briggs flat head engine,
and I have the 6 cylinder flat head industrial Chrysler 230 cu in engine, and a 30 kw three phase generator on it,

yes at no load there is a small difference in fuel usage but hardly noticed,
but there is nearly no fuel difference in the two units in the running range of the smaller generator, in other words the fuel per hr used on loads under 3000 watts is nearly Identical on both units, the big difference is I have the option to run bigger loads if necessary, on the larger unit, and if some else kicks in (motor wise) the larger unit hardly notices it, where the small unit may carry the load but may take 10 to 15 seconds to regain speed, I remember when we were using the small unit and my mother wanted to wash clothes, (clothes washers motors can have very high starting loads) she kicked on the washer and it killed the generator, (we had been out of gird power for 30 days that time), we ended up taking the clothes to a laundry mat that had been hooked back up,
the large generator would have started and will run the washer and dryer if needed or the arc welder in the shop if needed as well as the three phase equipment in the shop,

I would opt for larger than smaller if given the choice, and not worry about the no load fuel usage, if you do not need power shut it off,

 

[Kendrick]

take a look at this one... im trying to decide between the belt and pto one my self.. I want to hook my mower and or tractor so the pto would be easier in some respects... important thing 10kw is supposedly electronics safe... haven't gotten comformation on the 13kw yet

Amazon.com: NorthStar Belt Driven Generator Head - 10,000 Watt: Patio, Lawn & Garden



Im also looking in to a CVT to keep the gen head @ rated speed with less reliance on the engine governer. also fly wheels can help some if the speed is not consistant. Im an electronics nut so I plan to put sensors etc to keep the speed and control throttle..

 

[Iplayfarmer]

...Im also looking in to a CVT to keep the gen head @ rated speed with less reliance on the engine governer. also fly wheels can help some if the speed is not consistant. Im an electronics nut so I plan to put sensors etc to keep the speed and control throttle..

Interesting concept. I'm interested. Is the CVT some kind of variable pulley system? How does it work?

 

[Kendrick]

cvt's have several different variations.. im most intrested in a working R-CVT style... Continuously variable transmission - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

hook a simple timing circuit to the generator side shaft and some form of actuator to control the variance. add a throttle controller output with a little calculator program in it so it can adjust the throttle to a bit above what is needed to keep the generator running at rpm as well as set presets gear/trottle settings for most fuel efficent usage. when ever it notices more power is needed it will adjust throttle and transmission.

I would love to put a r-cvt on a moter cycle engine and make a little farm cart out of it...

 

[John47]

one needs a proper governor, for maintaining the engine speed,
most use some type of mechanical governor,

the governor on my generator is the same that is used on a combine harvester of the same era as the engine manufacture,

(in my opinion having some extra engine is not a problem), as the surges do not effect the seed droop as much and the recovery of the speed,

the droop should should be less than 5% which works out to about 2 cycles, for most situations,

normally my generator keeps with in about 1% in the cycles,

for a poor mans cycle meter,
one can take a old plug in clock with a second hand, and then time it with a digital or battery unit, the longer you time say 5 Min's vs 1 min, the more accuracy your reading will be,
I usually set my generator up to about 61 to 62 with no load and when it starts to load it will set in to about 60 cycles a min,

but try to keep it in the 55 to 65 cycles out put, other wise you will stress the electrical equipment you have,

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if the engine does not have a built in governor like a tractor or combine or small engine, one will need some type of exterior governor added on to control the engine speed,

Most cheap digital multi meters have a frequency counter in them these days. Fairly accurate too.