Volt/Freq panel for genset install

Shimon · Oct 24, 2005

Well, I plan on getting either a Voltmaster or NorthStar 12kW PTO genset in the next week or two and I was planning on installing it inside my shop in the corner on a platform and make a small sliding door in the side of the shop to put the PTO shaft through. I plan on backing up the tractor to the shop whenever I need to run the genset and I would just need to hook up the PTO shaft and go. The electrics will be hardwired to a transfer switch.

I would like to mount a volt and freq meter on the outside of the shop just above the PTO shaft opening in the side of the shop so that way I can set the tractor RPM while watching the meters. I'm debating between a volt and freq analog gauge or this Blue Seas marine digital "multimeter" gauge. The nice thing about the digital gauge is that it would be easier to read in the dark and it has volts/freq/amps/watts but the downside is you can only see one parameter at a time. Although I would guess that the only parameter I would care about while setting the throttle would be freq. I plan on mounting the gauges in the box with a locking lid so they don't walk off when not in use.

Anyway, my question is...does anyone know of a pre-made panel that already has ANALOG gauges mounted in it that has a lid and is lockable and is rain proof? I searched on the net but couldn't find anything. I guess I can modify an existing panel and mount the gauges in something like this. Any suggestions appreciated.

cmuncy · Oct 25, 2005

Here's my 2 cents about analog vs. digital gauges.

WIth analog meters, it is easier to see fluctuations in line voltage and frequency than it is with a digital display. Great for troubleshooting if the refresh rate on the digital gauges are not refreshed at a high rate of speed. Downside to analog gauges: no hi-low threshhold markers for starters.

I would contact Northstar and see what they recommend.

texbaylea · Oct 25, 2005

I got my first PTO driven genset 20 yrs ago. I made up a test set consisting of a small volt meter and red type freq meter. Both were military surplus which was widely available back then. I made my test set with a simple plug cord so I could remove and store it safely. You could do something similar by putting a weather proof outlet on the exterior wall that was connected to the genset and plugging into that.

I found that almost always I set the frequency and let the voltage ride were it would, usually high. I figured that wiring voltage drop would take care of that. If you are powering motor driven equipment the frequency is more critical anyway.

Vernon

Soundguy · Oct 25, 2005

I use a fluke digital multimeter to check line cvoltage. I've found that with line voltage where it should be ont he northstar unit.. freq is where it should be.. etc.

Soundguy

Volfandt · Oct 25, 2005

I found a new Wacline 55 - 65 HZ frquency meter on ebay for a good price. There's generally full panels w/std meters on them on the cheap also.

I recently modified an alternator into a cheap stick welder and am going to start on an AC generator as my next project. Found most all the parts I needed on ebay, meters, rheostats etc. You may try monitoring ebay.

Good luck
Volfandt