Generator

[Phineas7]

I've looked into this also. I currently have a 4KW stand alone that uses an 8HP gas engine. I've had it for 12 years, just got the Tractor a couple of months ago. So far it has always started, but it sucks fuel, is loud, and it can't run much.

I could probably run an 11 - 15 KW on my 24hp PTO, but I have one concern; that is the stand alone generators have a crude RPM based cruise control. As the fridge or the well kicks on it opens the throttle to handle the extra load. Maybe your tractor can do this, mine can't. My wild guess would be that you could load the PTO with about half the rated hp and have reasonably consistent rpm, but I'm not too sure. If that were right I'd be back down to 5 or 6kw, which is not enough of an improvement to warrant the cost (for me).

 

[RonMar]

I've looked into this also. I currently have a 4KW stand alone that uses an 8HP gas engine. I've had it for 12 years, just got the Tractor a couple of months ago. So far it has always started, but it sucks fuel, is loud, and it can't run much.

I could probably run an 11 - 15 KW on my 24hp PTO, but I have one concern; that is the stand alone generators have a crude RPM based cruise control. As the fridge or the well kicks on it opens the throttle to handle the extra load. Maybe your tractor can do this, mine can't. My wild guess would be that you could load the PTO with about half the rated hp and have reasonably consistent rpm, but I'm not too sure. If that were right I'd be back down to 5 or 6kw, which is not enough of an improvement to warrant the cost (for me).

Is this a diesel tractor or gas? If diesel, it should have a governor integral to the injector pump. The throttle is not really a throttle but a speed selector. If you lock it at a particular place, it should maintain a relatively stable RPM with load changes.

The PTO generator has some merrit and I have loked at them also as it is one less engine to maintain and a way for me to get a larger backup capability if I should need it, as well as get a welder out around my property. One thng I am not to excited about would be running the engine at full rated PTO RPM for a few extra KW of power. Having a two speed PTO is a plus here as you can run the engine at a lower RPM and still get a 540 PTO, at a lesser available horsepower.

As for gas engine reliability after storage, this is a problem. I either run all my engines every 30-60 days, or I remove all the gas from them that I can and run them till they quit. All of my motorcycles always had bowl drain screws. I wish more small engines had them for this reason. An engine that is not run will lose lube on it's internal parts and with temp changes breathe in moisture in the air thru the crankcase vents/carb. This will lead to internal corrosion, so I have found it better to run them regularly to keep the innards oil coated and drive out any moisture.

 

[zzvyb6]

Everybody has an opinion, but, my pto alternator has traveled to other homes and businesses to help them out. Last Party Store took me on to save $5,000 in ice cream, steaks and milk last summer. Insurance aid for the entire unit + fuel plus ice cream in one check. Ran fuel right out of his pumps.

I have a 90' 240v extension cord and a shorter line with separate outlets for 3 phase outputs for the businesses from a WinCo 50kW.

Neighbors got water, heat, tv, battery charging and news from intermittent round robin service (about 2 hrs apiece). Winter and summer.

Sure a home unit makes you feel self sufficient, but helping the neighbors gets you some friendships that can't be acquired any other way. Make sure they have a 50 amp dryer plug handy. Pull the meter and fire up the furnace, well, oven and microwave some soup.

 

[bobmisi]

I also have a Northern 12,500 watt pto generator, which I mounted to a platform with big air filled casters and goes on my 3 point hitch. I will try to get some pictures, but this setup can go anywhere I need power and will put out 100 amps to power my whole house. I didn't want to fool with another engine, they never start when you need them, most are made overseas, etc, etc,etc. Once I got my new diesel tractor I knew it was the way to go. It will always start and it is kept full of fuel, and it is quieter than a small engine running wide open. If I'm only running a couple of items I can shift the pto to 1000 rpm and just idle it down, for more power usage I shift to 540 rpm and power it up. Plus the cost is less for the pto unit even after I built my mount. To me if you have a tractor it really makes sense to go pto. One last thought, my previous tractor was a Allis D12 and the pto did not run at a constant pto speed. It would not run my pto generator at a smooth speed, the output needle was all over the place, which would burn out computers and tvs and the like. Make sure your pto speed on older tractors is a nice consistant speed or it won't run right.

 

[JB4310]

I also have a Northern 12,500 watt pto generator, which I mounted to a platform with big air filled casters and goes on my 3 point hitch. I will try to get some pictures, but this setup can go anywhere I need power and will put out 100 amps to power my whole house. I didn't want to fool with another engine, they never start when you need them, most are made overseas, etc, etc,etc. Once I got my new diesel tractor I knew it was the way to go. It will always start and it is kept full of fuel, and it is quieter than a small engine running wide open. If I'm only running a couple of items I can shift the pto to 1000 rpm and just idle it down, for more power usage I shift to 540 rpm and power it up. .

I just got my new 10 KW pto generator last week and have not tried it out yet, I'm a little confused on the output, mine has a 40 amp double pole breaker for 220 volt, so when feeding the house does that mean each of the 2 phases of 120 volts will get 40 amps?, I'm assuming that your 12.5 KW has a 50 amp breaker on the 240 outlet and that's how you are getting the 100 amps?
I do somewhat understand ohms law but not as well as I should, sure wish I had that 1000 rpm pto option, I've been following some other threads on pto multipliers, does anyone know if there is a simple in line gear box for pto speed increase?
As far as pulling the meter out that zzvyb6 referred to, is that a safer way to do the dreaded back feed through dryer or stove circuit?, isn't switching off the main the same thing, or does it make it safer by eliminating the chance that someone else throws the main switch unknowingly?
I also have a 50 amp extension cord for my welder that will be used to power the house and shop with the generator and I also want to be able to power neighbors, not because I'm so gracious, but to keep them in there own homes so they don't have to come to my house to shower or sleep, I've got the 3 pt pto carrier and have a few different 220 volt plug ends for the different outlets I might encounter, so I should be a traveling little power plant.
In my case, we rarely loose power since we are within 20 miles of the power plant, but I still want to be prepared for the worst.

 

[tommu56]

JB4310

Here is a good link on 110/220 single phase description


Single-phase power systems : POLYPHASE AC CIRCUITS
tom

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

I would like you folks opinion of a PTO driven generator, I have a 1989 4955 and a 2004 9620T. I figured a PTO generator would come in handy instead of buying gas driven separate generator. Thanks for any info or opinions.

buffalohunter, you have enough HP to power a small town. How much electricity do you need? Do a search and you can find some good info here on small and larger units.

 

[RonMar]

I just got my new 10 KW pto generator last week and have not tried it out yet, I'm a little confused on the output, mine has a 40 amp double pole breaker for 220 volt, so when feeding the house does that mean each of the 2 phases of 120 volts will get 40 amps?, I'm assuming that your 12.5 KW has a 50 amp breaker on the 240 outlet and that's how you are getting the 100 amps?

Power in Watts is = current times voltage(P = I x E) conversely power divided by either current or voltage will = the other remaining value. Your 10KW generator is capable of providing 1/2,the rated output, or 5KW, on each 120V leg. So 120V X 40A breaker value = 4800W. 240V x 40A breaker = 9600W. So 40A per 120V leg is appropriate for a 10KW generator.

 

[Soundguy]

I think you are gravely misunderstanding how a pto genset works, and how tractor rpm / throttle work.

if your tractors runs at half throttle / rpm.. that does not mean have wattage.. it means NO wattage. RPM must remain very near constant for the pto gento work. fuel usage will be based on electrical load. max electrical load will be based on gen head and engine hp. do the math.

soundguy

I've looked into this also. I currently have a 4KW stand alone that uses an 8HP gas engine. I've had it for 12 years, just got the Tractor a couple of months ago. So far it has always started, but it sucks fuel, is loud, and it can't run much.

I could probably run an 11 - 15 KW on my 24hp PTO, but I have one concern; that is the stand alone generators have a crude RPM based cruise control. As the fridge or the well kicks on it opens the throttle to handle the extra load. Maybe your tractor can do this, mine can't. My wild guess would be that you could load the PTO with about half the rated hp and have reasonably consistent rpm, but I'm not too sure. If that were right I'd be back down to 5 or 6kw, which is not enough of an improvement to warrant the cost (for me).

 

[jdbower]

it means NO wattage

Is that only if you're lucky? Unless the generator protects against this I would think you'd still get power out of it, but not necessarily at 120/240V or (more importantly) 60Hz - leading to a big savings in your monthy energy bill until you replace your appliances