PTO generator

[LouNY]

That meter is a volt meter. It's a fairly inaccurate, cheap meter. I verified mine with a DMM and do so everytime I use it. I need to mount one of those multifunction readouts on mine. As others said, frequency is key. It's one of the factors that have to be synchronized when tying a generator to the grid. The other is voltage. Since these gens don't tie to the grid those measurements can fluctuate quite a lot. I install and commission voltage regulators on large generators. This involves tuning the regulator to grid conditions. These PTO gens are like a black start in a power plant. They are their own little grid being controlled by that generator. Do that with caution. Most of all, make sure you are isolated from the grid at all times.

Yes it is a tad bit easier to just get the generator up to speed for the proper hz, closing a breaker and powering up a system, then having to bring the generators frequency to just a tiny bit faster then the tie in power, the voltage to be equal or a tad bit higher and watching the sync scope for the needle to just slowly rotate to the 12 o'clock position and in sync and closing the tie breaker, then bring the voltage up to feed out at the desired amperage. Or to keep increasing the output untill the original primary can be taken off line and the new source becomes the primary and only source.

 

[workinonit]

Lou, it's been a while since you've seen that done I think. That as the way you and I learned how to do it. All of that is automatic now with auto synchronizers and sync check relays. The hydro I finished up commissioning yesterday is a no touch. Hit the start button and it goes online. Technology is dumbing down the workforce. Believe it or not, operators that know how to manually sync a unit are scarce these days.

 

[LouNY]

Lou, it's been a while since you've seen that done I think. That as the way you and I learned how to do it. All of that is automatic now with auto synchronizers and sync check relays. The hydro I finished up commissioning yesterday is a no touch. Hit the start button and it goes online. Technology is dumbing down the workforce. Believe it or not, operators that know how to manually sync a unit are scarce these days.

It has been a day or two
Back then depending on the facility it could be a lot of fun doing the calibrations and inter connects. Especially a black start plant with a diesel or natural gas piston (800 rpm) startup unit, or even just a bunch of slow speed units getting paralleled to run a plant, then through in a steam turbine or even a gas turbine into the mix.
Thinking back it's been close to 20 years ago the last time I had to parallel a generator or sync between two with number three in a hot standby, or the co-gens tied into utility power.

 

[MAX-24-Dean]

It has been a day or two
Back then depending on the facility it could be a lot of fun doing the calibrations and inter connects. Especially a black start plant with a diesel or natural gas piston (800 rpm) startup unit, or even just a bunch of slow speed units getting paralleled to run a plant, then through in a steam turbine or even a gas turbine into the mix.
Thinking back it's been close to 20 years ago the last time I had to parallel a generator or sync between two with number three in a hot standby, or the co-gens tied into utility power.

Brings back good memories, last time I had to sync with the grid was early 90's. After all the new automation with sychronizers, I wasn't needed for that task anymore.
The automation does a safer and quicker job of it also.

 

[Swblack1216]

What kW is your gen?

30kw i’ll be lucky to get 10 out of my tractor Kioti ck 25 thinking ahead may get a bigger tractor someday

 

[workinonit]

You'll be surprised. I'm guessing your tractor will run your whole house easily. I know the generator will. I ran mine on my old 5310 and it never really knew it was there.

 

[workinonit]

It has been a day or two
Back then depending on the facility it could be a lot of fun doing the calibrations and inter connects. Especially a black start plant with a diesel or natural gas piston (800 rpm) startup unit, or even just a bunch of slow speed units getting paralleled to run a plant, then through in a steam turbine or even a gas turbine into the mix.
Thinking back it's been close to 20 years ago the last time I had to parallel a generator or sync between two with number three in a hot standby, or the co-gens tied into utility power.

I'm going to start a black site up on Monday of next week. I look back at the things I've seen and experienced in the power business and it actually amazes me. I work for a company that makes turbine/governor controls, voltage regulators for excitation, boiler controls, BOP, BMS and the DCS that ties everything together and provides a computerized operator interface. I have to be knowledgeable on every part of it. And I'm getting to old to want to keep up anymore. I'm planning on maybe another year if someone doesn't piss me off sooner.

 

[MAX-24-Dean]

I'm going to start a black site up on Monday of next week. I look back at the things I've seen and experienced in the power business and it actually amazes me. I work for a company that makes turbine/governor controls, voltage regulators for excitation, boiler controls, BOP, BMS and the DCS that ties everything together and provides a computerized operator interface. I have to be knowledgeable on every part of it. And I'm getting to old to want to keep up anymore. I'm planning on maybe another year if someone doesn't piss me off sooner.

I feel for you there. With all the technology and the push in the 80's and 90's for multi-skilled employees, then having new managers that didn't have enough knowledge of system operation or theory making the decisions. I got one of those fed up moments after someone else messed with a project I was on and I gave that effective immediately termination notice.
We are losing a lot of learned over time skillsets in the workforce, that can't be replaced on a moments notice.
Hang in there as long as you can! I wish you well.

 

[Swblack1216]

What kW is your gen?

30kw

 

[Swblack1216]

That meter is a volt meter. It's a fairly inaccurate, cheap meter. I verified mine with a DMM and do so everytime I use it. I need to mount one of those multifunction readouts on mine. As others said, frequency is key. It's one of the factors that have to be synchronized when tying a generator to the grid. The other is voltage. Since these gens don't tie to the grid those measurements can fluctuate quite a lot. I install and commission voltage regulators on large generators. This involves tuning the regulator to grid conditions. These PTO gens are like a black start in a power plant. They are their own little grid being controlled by that generator. Do that with caution. Most of all, make sure you are isolated from the grid at all times.

Thanks going to do a lockout on my panel it will be isolated. I will check it with my Fluke.