PTO Generators

[JoeC1130]

generators
my 4530 mahinra runs every thing here with no problem. the gen is a generact 25, continues 50 kw surge. we have run it through mutiple storms and other events. we live on a big ranch 13 miles from the coast in texas close to freeport. the tractor only burns about 14 galions per 24 hrs. that is close to the average. people who piss and moan about there tractors are pussys plain and simple can not fix or maintain there tractors. that is joe,s line the tractor will pull a big generator just fine. with no issues
Joe

 

[JoelD]

Yes, here in Florida the houses use more electric than other power sources. Natural Gas is used for cooking and hot water, but that is mainly in cities where they have it. More houses are "All Electric", though.

Here in the rural's, people mostly use electric or LP. The cost of LP has gotten a bit high, though.

Also, in is no longer legal for builders to build houses that do not have conditioned air - this means heat and AC. Most of these are electric, though some do use NG/LP for the emergency heat.

Fuel oil is not that common anymore.

BTW - They refer to the standard 240v as single phase as opposed to 3 phase. Also, if you get a universal replacement motor for a AC unit, table saw, or some other device that comes with dual voltage, the wiring instruction are for 120/240 (I have not seen 110/220 on one in a long time)

Also, please do not hold your breath waiting for me to buy stand-by power, it may be a while (I have been out of work - just started back)

I think in the long run all elecric will likely make the most sense as it is almost 100% efficient in making heat (I get the transmission loss) and there are a bunch of ways to generate electricity

Up here with the crazy oil prices electric is looking better all the time

Glad you are back to work tough time to find job congrats that is an accomplishment

Joel

 

[JoelD]

generators
my 4530 mahinra runs every thing here with no problem. the gen is a generact 25, continues 50 kw surge. we have run it through mutiple storms and other events. we live on a big ranch 13 miles from the coast in texas close to freeport. the tractor only burns about 14 galions per 24 hrs. that is close to the average. people who piss and moan about there tractors are pussys plain and simple can not fix or maintain there tractors. that is joe,s line the tractor will pull a big generator just fine. with no issues
Joe

I can change the oil and even the airfilter Am I still a *****? (I haven't heard that term in so long that I'm not sure what it means?)

It's not a good thing right?

Joel

 

[Qapla]

... the transmission voltage is still 120V.

Since you are a student and have learned some things about electrical systems being different in various countries, I thought I might mention something about the above comment.

If you are calling the drop from the transformer to the house "transmission voltage", then yes, the voltage would be 120 on each hot leg. There is also a neutral. "Ground" is picked up at the meter with an actual ground rod or ground carrier extending into the ground at the bottom of the meter location.

However, when our electric company uses the term "transmission", they are referring to the lines that run along the road bringing the power to the transformers. In our area, that voltage is 28,800. Some time back in the late 1970's or early 1980's (I can't remember the exact timing) they raised the transmission voltage from 14,400 to the 28,800 they still use today.

Hope you find this info helpfull.

 

[jakobvh]

Since you are a student and have learned some things about electrical systems being different in various countries, I thought I might mention something about the above comment.

If you are calling the drop from the transformer to the house "transmission voltage", then yes, the voltage would be 120 on each hot leg. There is also a neutral. "Ground" is picked up at the meter with an actual ground rod or ground carrier extending into the ground at the bottom of the meter location.

However, when our electric company uses the term "transmission", they are referring to the lines that run along the road bringing the power to the transformers. In our area, that voltage is 28,800. Some time back in the late 1970's or early 1980's (I can't remember the exact timing) they raised the transmission voltage from 14,400 to the 28,800 they still use today.

Hope you find this info helpfull.

Yes I did mean voltage at the house breakers, sorry.

The whole reason we use AC is because it can be stepped up to such high voltages =~ 30kV as you said, so the resistive losses are kept to a minimum according to the equation Power lost = (Current)^2 X Resistance. If the voltage is very high and the resistance remains relatively constant, the current is very small, leading to smaller losses.

Now a days it isn't uncommon for large scale transmission lines to have voltages between 110kV up to 1200kV. These UHVAC (Ultra High Voltage) t-lines are becoming more popular in china as they develop their electricity grid.

All of this stems back from Nichola Tesla and Thomas Edison, USA's old system of 110VAC simply comes from the fact that at the time, the carbon filament light globes worked best at 100volts with 10 volt drop in the transmission lines, 110VAC =]

A company in Germany found that for their metal filament globes, 220V worked better and the alternate system was born =]

Im going to stop jabbering on about this, if anyone wants to read more, these pages are a wealth of information and history =]

Mains electricity - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
War of Currents - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Electric power transmission - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ultra high voltage electricity transmission in China - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Dr_Zinj]

Tractors are designed to be portable power sources.
And diesel engines run best when run long periods of time.

I plan on getting a PTO generator for my emergency power supply.

Keep the fridge and freezer cold. Pump the water and run the furnace. Run the stove and oven too.

Point is, you only need to run it for an hour at a time 3 or 4 times a day. You don't need to burn money, err fuel, 24/7.

 

[FritzII]

I tossed this around for a long time and went with a PTO genny. I did own a gas unit that puked the diodes once and then the motor puked. Time for the dumpster !!! I was not going to buy another gasser for three reasons. It's too dangerous to store fuel & it always needed the carb cleaned to get it started. And when the power is out you can't buy fuel for it anyway. I have lots of diesel fuel available all the time. I thought about a 6500 watt portable diesel unit. Too small to run everything in the house and garage. My PTO genny runs everthing I want. I don't care about putting an extra 100 hrs or so on the tractor per year. We are talking about tractors aren't we ? Designed for hrs and hrs and hrs of hard use !!!! Only draw back is the time it takes to disconnect the 3 point hitch item and hook up the genny. You can ask my neighbors who has central air when it's 95 and the power is out !!!

 

[brin]

Tractors are designed to be portable power sources.
And diesel engines run best when run long periods of time.

I plan on getting a PTO generator for my emergency power supply.

Keep the fridge and freezer cold. Pump the water and run the furnace. Run the stove and oven too.

Point is, you only need to run it for an hour at a time 3 or 4 times a day. You don't need to burn money, err fuel, 24/7.

You are exactly right...When your power goes out in an emergency and most folks are totally without power then it is a luxury to have power at all...so I do what you are suggesting...WE only run Our PTO genny long enough to take showers, flush toilets, fill water bottles and warm or cool the house and then we shut it down...The house stays warm for a long time...when we get hot , summer or cold, winter , then we will start the genny for an hour or so and get comfortable again..restock water, flush toilets etc.

There is no need to run any generator 24/7...think about it when your regular power is on...you are not running everything all the time anyway...:thumbsup:

 

[forby]

I pondered this issue recently....

My house is all gas(and wood heat) so my electric needs are only for 120volt lighting and electronics and fridges. MY 220V AC system was sacrificed for the purpose of power outages as they usually occur in the winter.

My bx2360 would run a decent gen, but I opted of a much cheaper and safer route.

A Honda EU2000i. 2000 watts was enough to run some light circuits, tv/sat, 2 fridges, blower for furnace incase wood stove becomes inop and water heated exhaust fan.

I bought a cheap manual switch and can manually manage the fridges.

The gen was $950, the switch and inlet were about $150.

This gen will run for 40 hours on 10 gallons of gas I keep at all times. Cars can be siphoned if needed.

I can use the gen for many other things as it's 46 pounds and fits in my car.

When you actually add up the watts(I used a clamp meter), you would be surprised hood little a house really needs- especially in an emergency.

The PTO was going to cost me close to $2000 and would be a PITA to set up.

That said, if the wearer gets more severe in the summers, I may get a PTO gen for AC only and set up a direct tie in to the AC unit. Seems a shame to run a tractor at full rpm for turning on some lights.

Also, my gen is an inverter and won't damage sensitive electronics.

 

[RoyJackson]

This has been a very interesting thread, especially since we were without power for 4 days.
Fortunately, it got warm enough right after the snow that the house stayed livable...and enough snow to melt for flushing the commodes (yep...ya gotta do what you gotta do).

The real intent of this post is, per CNN this morning, 22 people died in the fast moving storm. Most were in northern NJ, Massachusetts and CT. Here's what's most interesting...the main cause of death (about 50% by my calculation) was Carbon Monoxide (CO). The article did not state the causes of a CO build up, but I'm sure we can surmise some were emergency generators (my guess, most were the smaller gasoline units).
Something to think about, since I reckon a lot of TBNers (including me) are considering some type of generator after this storm.