Running a 1800RPM Generator off of Boomer 2000 RPM mid PTO ?

[Dave1953]

I have a 1800 RPM 25 KW Genset that is currently powered by a 3.0L GM 4 cylinder LP engine that is computer controlled and the computer is fried and Doosan would want a fortune to fix it. I was thinking of maybe removing the alternator and somehow connecting it via a driveshaft to the mid pto on my Boomer tractor. Of course I would have to run the engine at whatever speed that would give me a PTO speed of 1800 rpm to get 60 cycles per second and 240 volts. This would eliminate the need for a gearbox if I were to run it on the rear 540 pto. Has anyone had any experience with such a setup ? I was thinking of mounting the alternator on the rear of a plain skid steer quick attach plate. Anyone care to comment?

 

[LouNY]

Sounds good the only issue I could see is that most generators only have a single bearing and the flywheel supports and centers the free end.
With an adapter to provide a bearing mount and support and a pto connection should work fine your engine rpm would be just a bit under normal pto speed.

 

[George2615]

Also, make sure your mid PTO rotates in the proper direction to run the generator.

 

[Dave1953]

Yes, some alternators have a single bearing and are supported by the engine crankshaft and some have 2 bearings, one on each end. I won't know until I remove it. If it don't have but 1 bearing I will have to rig something up with a pillow block bearing and I am aware that the rotation will have to be correct. I think it's doable if there is a clear path between the pto and the alternator.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Are you sure on the speed of the mid PTO?

 

[Gator6x4]

I would explore the cost of the Computer to repair and maintain OEM. Murphy’s Law usually prevails when after market engineering starts. Trust me what will go wrong will and you will have more involved in the engineering project than the repair cost of returning to OEM.

 

[Industrial Toys]

TIME is the huge equalizer! Sometimes it's worth the cost for an immediate fix. Anyone like "Flight Systems" offer cheaper computers?

 

[CalG]

I have a 1800 RPM 25 KW Genset that is currently powered by a 3.0L GM 4 cylinder LP engine that is computer controlled and the computer is fried and Doosan would want a fortune to fix it. I was thinking of maybe removing the alternator and somehow connecting it via a driveshaft to the mid pto on my Boomer tractor. Of course I would have to run the engine at whatever speed that would give me a PTO speed of 1800 rpm to get 60 cycles per second and 240 volts. This would eliminate the need for a gearbox if I were to run it on the rear 540 pto. Has anyone had any experience with such a setup ? I was thinking of mounting the alternator on the rear of a plain skid steer quick attach plate. Anyone care to comment?

How about just adding "cruise control" to the engine presently fitted. Junk the electronics.

Aftermarket Cruise Control Kits

Set the engine RPM with a Kill-a watt.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Kill-A-Watt-Electricity-Monitor-P4400/202196386

 

[Dave1953]

I have explored the possibility of an external governor but they are very expensive. This cruise control control idea may work but as you know the engine speed must be held very steady at 1800 so that 60 cycles are maintained as not to damage sensitive items such as computers. How much money are we talking about for one of these aftermarket cruise controls?

 

[CobyRupert]

I have explored the possibility of an external governor but they are very expensive. This cruise control control idea may work but as you know the engine speed must be held very steady at 1800 so that 60 cycles are maintained as not to damage sensitive items such as computers. How much money are we talking about for one of these aftermarket cruise controls?

Most electronics aren't sensitive to input voltage or frequency. Most rectify the AC to DC at their input, so it doesn't care too much what the AC in is. Check the nameplate, you'll likely find a tag that says its good for any voltage/frequency between 100V-240V and 50 or 60 hz.