Building a new PTO driven generator

[DiamondMaker]

I just bought a 20 K generator head. I am planning to mount it on a small trailer and use my JD tractor to drive it. I have two questions at the moment. #1- I plan on driving it using a belt. Will a double belt be enough to handle it under power? #2- What size pulleys do I need? 2-1/2" on the head and 6-7" on the PTO drive side? Since the gen head works in either rotation the gen head will be facing backwards.

More questions later!:laughing:
Thanks,
Rog

 

[BHD]

First you need to know if it is a 2 pole or a 4 pole generator, 2 pole is 3600 rpm, and 4 pole is 1800 rpm,

so you need to know your tractors PTO speed, (most likely 540 or 1000 RPM) then you will need belts capable of transmitting about 30 horse power, then you need to know what size of pully will transmit the power to the belt that needs carry at full load,

so most likely you will need to down load a Browning Pulley catalog and start to do your home work, http://www.emersonindustrial.com/en.../resources/online-catalogs/Pages/default.aspx

 

[BHD]

give us a little more INFO, and maybe we can help some more,

 

[DiamondMaker]

Thanks for the response. I wanted to drive my ST-20 with a belt driven system. I saw someone on here had made a setup like that and I liked the looks of the setup. After checking on prices and still not knowing for sure the HP of the belts capability, I see it will be in my best interest to buy a 'TRACTOR PTO DRIVE GEAR BOX' and 44mmX48mm love joy coupler from a supplier. I checked and the PTO Drive Gear Box is rated to run a generator up to 40 K, so I am comfortable with that. As I progress with the project, I'll post pictures.

Thanks,
Rog

 

[Texan4Life]

if possible I would drive it was a gearbox. a little more expensive, but is HD and would last longer imo.

if it is 3600 rpm gen head with 540pto you would need a 6.66:1 ratio

1800rpm would be 3.33:1 with a 540 pto


If you know you have plenty of power on the tractor you could over drive it some to save fuel, say rounding up the ratio to the nearest whole number. I wouldn't over driver it much tho.

 

[Soundguy]

i'd go gearbox as well

 

[DiamondMaker]

20K portable generator finished and tested.

 

[bigdeano]

Very nice job.

How much did the whole thing cost, if I might ask?

 

[BrianDT]

Very nice. I am working on parts for the same thing but i want to make mine a 3 point version.

 

[boggen]

just catching your thread. NICE SETUP! was going to recommend a 3pt carryall

but guessing, you are wanting trailer version. to tow behind pickup, and take to were ever without hauling tractor with it, and use it on what ever tractor is at given area...

a Q. how much heat ya getting from the gen head? and do you think you will need to have some sort of fan on it, to keep it cool when you really start using the power from it?

 

[Soundguy]

also interested int he investment so far.

 

[DiamondMaker]

20K portable generator finished and tested. View attachment 275730View attachment 275731View attachment 275732View attachment 275733View attachment 275734View attachment 275735

I have about $1,800 in it with a heck of a lot of work. Then I installed a new 200 amp electric transfer panel on the outside of the house replacing the standard disconnect which was just over $400. This is a safety that many don't think they need to spend the money on, but could kill a lineman or at the very least blow up the generator. Only takes one mistake.

Rog

 

[DiamondMaker]

just catching your thread. NICE SETUP! was going to recommend a 3pt carryall

but guessing, you are wanting trailer version. to tow behind pickup, and take to were ever without hauling tractor with it, and use it on what ever tractor is at given area...

a Q. how much heat ya getting from the gen head? and do you think you will need to have some sort of fan on it, to keep it cool when you really start using the power from it?

I only tested it last night, I am thinking I will only be needing about 8000 watts max, so I don't see the heat being a problem. The generator has vents in the front and back. I noticed I got 110 degrees on the gearbox at the top left after only 10 minutes. I know that isn't much and maybe the grease hasn't worked its way there, so I will watch that more than anything else.

Also I made a decision to put it on a trailer to be able to transport it easier since we have so many different electric companies and I live in an ag area. I also wouldn't have had to install the outlets and panel, just use it on my home and screw anyone else that might need it if I am not using it. So the material to install those parts cost me about $200 more.

Thanks for the replies.
Rog

 

[bigdeano]

It probably has a fan inside. It should be rated for maximum continuous output from the factory.

 

[Soundguy]

one would hope so..

 

[DiamondMaker]

Yes, of course it has a fan, so there should be on issues. I want to say something about the generator. It was made in China, so of course it was shipped over in a container. There was some rust on the connectors where I was suppose to hook my leads to and a few rusted screws holding the fan covers on. Also the cover for the head and the sheet metal for the vents and brush cover were so thin, I wasn't too happy about that, thin as a soup can I’d say. The generator itself seems to be very well made and heavy duty.

Also the unit is designed to hook the leads up on the outside with the black plastic cap screws. If I did that then someone could get shocked by accidently touching the wire connectors, this is why I went inside to connect the leads.

I may also make a roof for it with canvas sides. Gee, I really hope I never need it, truth known. lol

Rog

 

[Soundguy]

you know the drill.. once you are prepaired.. the likelyhood of needing it drops exponentally..

 

[Gunny]

you know the drill.. once you are prepaired.. the likelyhood of needing it drops exponentally..

Absolutely right!!! We used to have a power failure at least once a year, usually in the winter months, until I finally bought a backup genset three years ago. The electricity hasn't gone out since then.

 

[Gunny]

you know the drill.. once you are prepaired.. the likelyhood of needing it drops exponentally..

Absolutely right!!! We used to have a power failure at least once a year, usually in the winter months, until I finally bought a backup genset three years ago. The electricity hasn't gone out since then.

 

[Soundguy]

Absolutely right!!! We used to have a power failure at least once a year, usually in the winter months, until I finally bought a backup genset three years ago. The electricity hasn't gone out since then.

yep.. we had bad hurricanes all over florida. I put a 12.5kw pto genset, and the next year was the last time we got hit enough to loose power. been 7ys now..