Generator modification....

[txslowpoke]

I have tried searching, but found nothing.
Anyways here is my question.......
I have 5500k and 4000 k gen sets, B&S powered, very loud etc.
Would it be feasible to remove the B&S power units and rig up a belt drive system being powered from a car/truck engine? My idea is to mount the motor on a trailer or skid unit, build the necessary brackets to drive the 5500 and 4000 units via a belt and have a 12 volt charger via the alt. I have never broke down a B&S power gen set, so this maybe a stupid question .
thanks

 

[aczlan]

Can it be done? yes, will it be worth it? good question.

what you will need to do is build a pair of jackshafts and put a lovejoy connector on the end of each one, the reason is that the generator bearings are probably not setup to withstand sideloads like a pulley would put on them, this way the jackshaft takes the sideload and just transmits the rotational force to the generator.

The jackshaft would look something like this: http://www.ardcorechoppers.com/images/partspics/page400/Jackshaft2.jpg but with a pulley instead of the sprockets on the one end and the lovejoy coupler would go on the other end. you will need one of these for each generator.

HTH

Aaron Z

 

[Egon]

On many of the small generators I have been told that the generator inboard side uses the engine as the bearing.

 

[Oldmax]

Would be next to imposible the inboard end of the shaft is taperd and uses engine bearing for support . Would take a lot of Machine work .

 

[grfok]

I did exactly what you are proposing with a 5500W homelite generator head. It doues take a fair amount of machine work, at the time I had a mill and lathe so this was no problem. You need to build a bearing housing / adapter to hold the shaft and build the shaft. If you do not have access to a friend with a machine shop... rebuild or repower as it was. Lastly their are generator heads available that are already set up for belt drive.

 

[grfok]

This is a P. S. I'm not sure if you were talking about synchronizing the 4000 and 5500 watt for 9500 watt output.. yes it too can be done but unless you are familiar with synchronizing generators..... don't bother.

 

[schmism]

sell both 4K and 5K gen sets and buy this

10K watts and is ready to bolt on a flywheel for belt turning off a PTO...

 

[bbirder]

Don't leave us hanging like that. Please post a link where we can find this.

 

[radioman]

harbor freight has them

 

[George2615]

As well as Northern Tool and TSC stores.