Generator Head

[FredH]

The 4000 watt generator head went out on my APU on my Semi , front bearing . Going to see if rebuild-able by a couple of places in town . New O.E.M. replacement is around $1500+ !!! Old style head it appears . Has a large Capacitor mounted to a bracket on the back end but in the final wiring , you still have just 3 wires going to unit inside cab .

So My question for you Guru's is this , Why not replace with a Brushless head from Northern Tool like this one :

NorthStar Belt Driven Generator Head — 5500 Watt | Generator Heads| Northern Tool + Equipment

Add a new pulley / sheave and also a belt tensioner , ( old garbage had a flippin' Bolt through a plate with double nuts on both sides to adjust ) plus make my own mount off the current mounting points on bottom of motor and frame . No Way for it to fall out even if mount failed , ( Not Likely ) or bolts failed as entire system is inside a box .

I would Basically still have the same power , But not understanding the difference between " Brushless " and the old one that I assumed had brushes and this flippin large capacitor on one end ???

Any Ideas ??

Thanks ,

Fred H.

 

[Bladehauler]

Hey Fred,
I replaced the bearings in the 6kw gen head from my Rigmaster, not too hard a job, when this 1 goes out , I will prolly do the same as you, or put a bigger 12 volt alternator and keep using my inverter for the cab loads. just wont work for the block heater.
found the bearings at a bearing house, think I paid about $35 for both.
Hope this helps!
C-Ya
Scott

 

[Dave M7040]

I don't know what RPM your APU turns at but the Northern Tool generator head undoubtedly needs to run at 3,600 rpm.
The models designed to be driven by small gas engines have two poles and need 3,600 rpm to produce 60 cycle AC power.
Generator heads from large diesel engine units typically have 4 poles and need 1,800 rpm.
If your APU runs for long periods of time, the Northern Tool unit, assuming you can drive it at the required 3,600 rpm, may not have the durability you are used to in the trucking field.
Dave M7040

 

[FredH]

The Kubota 2 cylinder runs at 2400 rpm's with around a 9" or so pulley . The old generator had a 6.5" pulley and they were 14" center to center thus based upon several on line calculators and simulator's , the old generator turned right at 3600 rpm's .

That was what I was wondering about , Durability . Taking the old one in Monday to see if they can rebuild it .

I had a rigmaster on previous truck and it had right at 10,000 hrs. with out a issue when I traded in truck . I may Buy a generator for a rigmaster and adapt it over . Can get a new one of those for $700 + , Beats the Heck out of $1500+ for a new Carrier brand garbage . Have found several B.B. were people have noted they have a issue with that brand on the front bearings going out . A little over 4000 hours on it , so I think if it is not rebuild-able , they rigmaster brand would be a wiser purchase . ??????

Thanks For the input . I know just about enough information about generators to qualify on the Stupid Side :ashamed:

Fred H.

 

[otlimit]

The Kubota 2 cylinder runs at 2400 rpm's with around a 9" or so pulley . The old generator had a 6.5" pulley and they were 14" center to center thus based upon several on line calculators and simulator's , the old generator turned right at 3600 rpm's .

That was what I was wondering about , Durability . Taking the old one in Monday to see if they can rebuild it .

I had a rigmaster on previous truck and it had right at 10,000 hrs. with out a issue when I traded in truck . I may Buy a generator for a rigmaster and adapt it over . Can get a new one of those for $700 + , Beats the Heck out of $1500+ for a new Carrier brand garbage . Have found several B.B. were people have noted they have a issue with that brand on the front bearings going out . A little over 4000 hours on it , so I think if it is not rebuild-able , they rigmaster brand would be a wiser purchase . ??????

Thanks For the input . I know just about enough information about generators to qualify on the Stupid Side :ashamed:

Fred H.

Fred,
I'm curious to what you ended up doing as I have a similar problem as I have a Truck/RV conversion and a Diamond Power systems carrier copy with a bad gen head and was wondering how hard it was to adapt a rigmaster or something else?