Generator PTO generator feedback

Soundguy · Jan 20, 2010

-IF- I have to run an extension cord outside in the rain, I put a big glop of greae on the contacts and plug it in, then make a loop at the plug in, and stick that in a plastic bag, rubber band it, 'open end' down, then prop it on something to keep it off the ground so pooled water don't infiltrate...

soundguy

gerard · Jan 20, 2010

Soundguy said:
-IF- I have to run an extension cord outside in the rain, I put a big glop of greae on the contacts and plug it in, then make a loop at the plug in, and stick that in a plastic bag, rubber band it, 'open end' down, then prop it on something to keep it off the ground so pooled water don't infiltrate...

soundguy

Thanx soundguy -you saved me a post because I would NOT run an unprotected extension cord in the weather. The previous poster mentions 120 volts like it's not much. Go grab a live 120 volt plug and give yourself a nice solid path to ground, then re post your experience......... (and I'm not shy around electric. Don't even mind working on live 120 volt outlets as long as I'm not providing a goos ground, ie rubber soled shoes standing on hardwood with light contact etc. Big difference if you give a nice solid path to ground which you can do in a rain situation. PS That rainwater is NOT distilled water, especially once it hits the ground)

Redneck in training · Jan 21, 2010

Rainwater might be slightly conductive due to dissolved CO2 and dust in it. When it gets in contact with ground and contaminated that is another story altogether. I will do an experiment one of those days and catch some rain water or snow before it contacts ground and measure the conductivity and compare it with my well and city water.
In fact we use de-mineralized water for cooling of power electronics for variable frequency drives for large machines (many megawatts and voltage in range of thousands of volts). The water is passed trough catex and ionex resin filters to remove minerals to make it nonconductive.

brin · Jan 21, 2010

tshep said:
How do the PTO types regulate load?
Do they just leave the tractor running at what ever throttle achieves 540 rpm, (and waste the extra hp) or somehow load the tractor so it can respond?

Based on what little I have observed (Honda size and also factory sized) they all communcate the load applied back to the throttle somehow - that seems like the biggest advantage to a package over an unwatched PTO.

I have a generac 20 KW PTO generator with a 40KW surge and it is more than enough to power our whole house. When we have Ice Storms we can have power out for up to 4 or 5 days..at least so far. The generator works great - I plug the house into the generator , flip the transfer switch and start the tractor and move the throttle slowly to 540 RPM and it sits there just fine. I use my NH TC - 29 and if I need the tractor for another purpose ...I warm or cool the house and then unplug for long enough to take care of the chore and then plug back in ..it is no big deal..I chose this PTO genny instead of a stand alone since I already had the tractor and it always starts as opposed to buying another engine to worry about. My tractor burns about 6 gallons of diesel in 8 hrs at 540 RPM so then I shut it down fill it with fuel and check the oil and gear case oil in the genny and I am back up and running. I do not run the generator when we go to sleep at night..We warm the house up and turn it off and the next morning fire it up again. It works for us.

Egon · Jan 21, 2010

Rainwater might be slightly conductive due to dissolved CO2 and dust in it.

We take it that you are willing to use your finger to test it!!!

Diamondpilot · Jan 21, 2010

brin said:
I do not run the generator when we go to sleep at night..We warm the house up and turn it off and the next morning fire it up again. It works for us.

That would not work much North of where you are. Our temps run in the 10 deg range at night so busted pipes and a cold wife would be a big issue.

Chris

dieselsmoke1 · Jan 21, 2010

I run an MF 285 and 1135 powering PTO irrigation pumps pulling guns for literally hundreds of hours. We're talking near max rpm's and near max HP required for the 285. Of course i kept a watch on them and checked all fluids at each refill, along with removing the grill screen to facilitate better cooling. I don't have a PTO genny but would have no compunction about tying one on and taching it up if that's what i need my piece to do at the time. If it's not up to the task, it needs to belong to someone else.

zzvyb6 · Jan 21, 2010

Aren't most good pto alternators 220-240v? If so, you'd better give it a lot more courtesy. Mine is 240v so I power up both sides of the inhouse box. I usually throw a tarp over the rear of the alternator if there are rain issues. Some people around here park it in a "doghouse" with only the pto shaft poking out.

It also needs to be said that you don't need to run the thing 24/7. In the worst of winter weather, I run it until the house is super warm, then shut it down. Heat lasts 3 -4 hours. That's also when all the toilet flushing, showering and water troughs are filled. Then it gets shut down until we need it again. That means you think about opening doors and using water for good reasons, not for foolish ones.

Same for summer except A/C can be engaged in the afternood until later in the evening. Stupid to run it all the time in my opinion...

mattman · Jan 22, 2010

Thanks guys with real experience on using a pto genny. I feel a 15kw will run everything I want to run, thats why I was not very interested in a standalone because you have to get a high priced standalone to make that kind of juice.

Keep the info coming on what brand you have and if you are happy with it's performance.

Thanks Mattman