Neal's Generator/Transfer setup

RichNJKubota · Sep 25, 2004

Re: Neal\'s Generator/Transfer setup

Yes, I bought from the factory. For the 15KW unit I paid less then the 12 KW price listed in a prior post. But I was told the unit I got was a demo model. I can't tell the difference. Looked new to me when I got it. Shipping to NJ was $70.
The electronic voltage stabilization works great. The only downside is that my unit is 3600 RPM. Makes more noise when running than an 1800 RPM unit. But, for emergency backup, I can't complain. I just make sure I've got at least 50 gallons of diesel in the barn.

Rich

MikeIA · Sep 25, 2004

Re: Neal\'s Generator/Transfer setup

"Tumbling Bar" would be left over from "Horse" power days...a tumbling bar is a round shaft with square ends that would transfer rotary power from those(don't know what they are called, a big carousel with horses walking around in a circle, like a windlass) to the piece of machinery being driven like say, a grain elevator. I picked the grain elevator because my dad has a drive unit for his elevator that allows you to power the elevator with the PTO of the same tractor that just pulled the wagon full of ear corn into position, without having to unhook the tractor and back it up to the elevator. It's two pulleys,connected by v-belts, on a frame that folds over in front of the wagon, then connects to the PTO with a standard PTO shaft. The pulley that sits outside the wagon connects to the elevator with - you guessed it- the proper length "tumbling bar". The ends of the bar connect with a crude universal joint with square holes to accept the square ends of the shaft.

Soundguy · Sep 26, 2004

Re: Neal\'s Generator/Transfer setup

( The Northern one was quoted ar $999 without meters, without electronic voltage control, without tumbler bar )

To be fair.. the northern 12kw unit does have a voltmeter.. though no freq meter.

I bought one a few weeks ago, and have it bolted down tot he pallet it shipped on, and that is mounted on my 3pt carrier, which i think was 49 bucks at TSC. I also used a tsc pto shaft, as it was 150 plus tax as opposed to the northern one which was 190, no tax, but had shipping. I have a freq meter setting on my VOM.. so testing freq output wasn't a huge deal.

All added up between my pallet carrier, 35' of way oversized hookup cable from the local electric supply store plus ends, my freq counting volt meter, the pto shaft, and the pto gen from northern with rush shipping I paid 1550. I could have saved a hundred without rush shipping and got the genny in 8 days rather than 4 days.

All in all.. not to bad. And my pallet carrier is available to use for other projects by removing 4 bolts, and sliding the ptogen/pallet off and storeing it someplace safe and dry till needed. My VOm is also used for other projects.

Soundguy

reb · Sep 26, 2004

Re: Neal\'s Generator/Transfer setup

Neal:
I am very impressed with your setup. You have given me some ideas for how to handle my backup when I get it started. One question, though. Does your transfer switch for the outdoor AC breaker box ensure one switch is open before the other is closed? I have never looked closely enough at breakers to know for sure.

Slamfire · Sep 26, 2004

Re: Neal\'s Generator/Transfer setup

Have any of you checked how well the governor on the tractor responds to changes in load, as far as maintaining 60 cycles? I probably wouldn't be happy with the response of mine, but then I spent a career in the utility industry and frequency was really important there.

Charolais · Sep 26, 2004

Re: Neal\'s Generator/Transfer setup

Just joined this site and figured I jump in here on the PTO generator thread. I bought a Volt Master 3 years ago. Made the 3 point frame and used the PTO shaft from another piece of equipment. Got it shipped to Va. under $1,200. Used it several times to run the house but bought it mainly for keeping water to the cattle when we have power outages. Ran it several time for 6-7 hours. Pretty good price for that much power. Just checked the site and it's still listed for $1,154.00.

Here's a link: http://www.mastersalesonline.com/voltbelt/ Go down the page to PTO15-12 and click on that for more information.
Just thought I'd throw all that in. Y'all have some nice setups. Good to have with all these hurricanes around this year.

GoodGuy · Sep 26, 2004

Re: Neal\'s Generator/Transfer setup

SoundGuy......
Got any pics of your setup ???
Eric

ns_in_tex · Sep 26, 2004

Re: Neal\'s Generator/Transfer setup

Yes Reb, If you turn one breaker fully off and the other on, then make your handle tie that length, you are safe.

ns_in_tex · Sep 26, 2004

Re: Neal\'s Generator/Transfer setup

Hi Stan,

It will all depend on how responsive the governor is on your tractor as to how close it will hold it.

I have tried it on 3 different tractors and suprisingly, my Kubota L4610 will hold the it a little closer than my 105 PTO HP Hesston.

I set mine at no load, just a little past center of the green safety zone, then turn the load on. Then under full load, it will hold it to slightly below center of the green zone.

jimgerken · Sep 27, 2004

Re: Neal\'s Generator/Transfer setup

Yes, the website does not show everything quite right. I asked about the 16Kw as shown on the webpage, they said they no longer offer a 16, but sell a 15Kw. And the two small ones (12 & 15) are 3600 rpm rotors, not 1800 unfortunately. I would ask again about the electronic voltage regulation on the exact model you want, just to be sure you are getting it. If it is not there, might as well save some money and get the Northern unit.

jimgerken · Sep 28, 2004

Re: Neal\'s Generator/Transfer setup

I just noticed I made a typo in the earlier post. The sizes of the generators are 12 and 15Kw, not 12 and 17 as I wrote above (and are reprinted below):
>They quoted me the following prices for the GenPower units:
>12Kw (for 22Hp tractor PTO) $1650
>17Kw (for 26Hp tractor PTO) $1750 (This is actually 15KW)

Sorry for the confusion.

Soundguy · Sep 28, 2004

Re: Neal\'s Generator/Transfer setup

No.. but I will soon.

Soundguy

KiotiJohn · Oct 1, 2004

Re: Neal\'s Generator/Transfer setup

( Thanks for the link and great pics. I called GenPOwer and was pleasently surprised that their small (12Kw and 15Kw) PTO units are electronic voltage regulator equipped. This gives a voltage control of within 1% from no load to full load. )
Jim, do you mean that you called The Power Connection where ns_in_tex bought his? I want to make sure where the prices you quoted are from. Was the 3pt hitch frame an option that brought the price up? Thanks, John

jimgerken · Oct 5, 2004

Re: Neal\'s Generator/Transfer setup

I cannot be certain WHERE they were located, but from failing mempry it seems they answered the phone in Tennesee or Kentucky. The phone number I found for GenPower was 1-800-895-9981.
My notes indicate that the prices they gave me included the 3pt frame, the pto shaft, the 10 foot cordset, and the generator with electronic voltage regulation and both freq and voltage meters. Shipping to me was quoted as $114 extra.
Hope this helps. If anyone finds a better price, please append back here, thanks! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

blackd · Oct 5, 2004

Re: Neal\'s Generator/Transfer setup

I called yesterday & got the same price. They are in Harrisonburg, VA.

KiotiJohn · Oct 6, 2004

Re: Neal\'s Generator/Transfer setup

( I cannot be certain WHERE they were located, but from failing mempry it seems they answered the phone in Tennesee or Kentucky. The phone number I found for GenPower was 1-800-895-9981.)
Thanks Jim.

blackd · Oct 6, 2004

Re: Neal\'s Generator/Transfer setup

Here's my plan, please comment if Y'all see any problems. I already have a dryer plug installed in the garage for hook up. Plan on getting the 15KW PTO Genset from the Power Connection. Already have a $160 trailer form Harbor Freight Tools. Plan on mounting the Genset on the trailer along with my welder. Hook up to the dryer connector. Turn off the mains. Start the tractor & power the house when needed. Otherwise, I have a portable welder good for my use anywhere my tractor can go. Comments?

v8dave · Oct 6, 2004

Re: Neal\'s Generator/Transfer setup

( Here's my plan, please comment if Y'all see any problems. . . .
Hook up to the dryer connector. Turn off the mains. Start the tractor & power the house when needed. . .)

All the needed steps, but wrong sequence. Turn off mains first. Then hook up to the dryer connection. Start tractor.

If you hook up the generator before killing the mains, you could have your generator act as a motor if the power is still on.

Please consider installing a transfer switch or an interlock like Neal has done. This will protect you and the utility workers if a mistake is made in hooking up or the start-up sequence.

reb · Oct 6, 2004

Re: Neal\'s Generator/Transfer setup

blackd:
As I understand, the breakers on dryer circuits are 30A and the wires are probably sized accordingly. Therefore, you will not get the full use of your 15kW generator; only about 6.6kW max. You also will have the potential hazard of a hot male connector. I think some older dryer circuits used the neutral for a ground for the dryer. I don't know whether that might cause a problem. Someone more familiar with the code and grounding considerations can probably elaborate on this.

Soundguy · Oct 7, 2004

Re: Neal\'s Generator/Transfer setup

Seems like genny manufacturers do their own thing when it comes to neutral / ground bonding.

I hooked up a genny for my folks a couple weeks ago to power their water pump.. on the front cover of the genny it mentioned that the neutral was floating. ( this was a coleman genny )

On my pto genny from northern, it states that the neutral and ground are permanently tied together internally. ( course it also provides a grounding screw so you can add your own spike driven into the ground if you want.. etc.

Soundguy