Harbor Freight Generator head 10kw

[Soundguy]

Somewhere you should be able to get some good lovejoy spider inserts.. urethane or something.

We have an old Bros mixing unit.. has a cumins 280 in it.. off the back of the generator, was a hyd pump, using a lovejoy coupler.. right next to the block.. pump and genny got hot enough to not want to touch them...

Soundguy

 

[bjr]

I have not read all the messages, but I'm wondering about two items the first is engine governors don't seem to be addressed. electrical or hydraulic. They are relavent to good and steady power from the generator.

The second is why isn't the spider/rubber to the flywheel coupler system used for coupling the engine to the generator. Similar to a commercial built generator. These may require a adapter for the flywheel or some kind of flex plate. I'm curious if these are not a option with a component build type system. bjr

 

[Jim_in_Omaha]

The engine I'm using has a mechanical govenor that seems to be very fast in response. And is fully adjustable.

Not sure about the rubber spider coupler directly to the flywheel as you mentioned.
thx
Jim

 

[1962]

soundguy,
here is a pic of the chain coupling that i am going to try. i tried a hytrel spider and it failed.

 

[1962]

a pic of the hytel spider after it failed. maybe the vibration from the single cylinder engine was too much for it.

 

[Jim_in_Omaha]

Do you have the cover for the chain coupler? As I'm researching how to connect mine I've read about the chain type. If your going to run it at a high RPM they say to get the cover which in turn you put greese in it.

I'm considering a Lovejoy L110 if I go the direct method. If I could find the pulleys I would use a 6 groove serpentine type belt.

thx
Jim

 

[1962]

jim,
the cover was optional and an extra $41.00. you don't really need it unless your in a dirty type environment. for as much as i will use this,(stand-by)i didn't want to spend the xtra cash. the counter person told me the cover has a grease fitting and some seals on it. it also could be added at a later date if need be, as it comes in 2 halfs for easy installation.
i am making my own guard to cover it and the rear flywheel for safety. i will hit the coupling with some good dry lube at regular PM intervals.
the lovejoy L 110 is probably big enough for your military engine. the Lo-95 was too small for my set up, but i used a Lo-95 on my 11 hp log splitter 6 years ago and it worked great with a buna-n spider. i saw a few big lovejoy's on ebay for a buy-it-now price of $10.00 per half. i think it was a L-150.
if you get a L-110 your spider insert torque rating's would be:
buna-n 792 in. lbs.
urethane 1188 in. lbs.
hytrel 2268 in. lbs.
jim i agree the L-110 will do the job with power to spare..
keep us posted on your progress..

 

[Inspector507]

Jim,
Have you looked into a Falk Steelflex coupling?
What size shafts are you looking at? I have a Steelflex coupling laying around, with no uses in the near future. I think it's somewhere ½-¾" hole size.
Falk Steelflex couplings

 

[Jim_in_Omaha]

I picked up from Surpluscenter.com a couple of synco-cog pulleys and a belt for $9.00. I am about done with the main frame that holds the engine and gen head. Maybe today I will be able to test run it.
thx
Jim

 

[Highbeam]

I noticed that I had a picture of my lovejoy PTO off the crank of the 45 HP diesel. It runs the single hydraulic pump.

 

[Highbeam]

Off the machine

 

[Jim_in_Omaha]

Got the thing running today. The synco-cog belt is smooth. Ran my 3hp air compressor. Whats great is each time I would start the compressor it would only drop about 4 volts and return extremely fast. Frequency would only drop to 56hz and then go back to 59.9 according to the Fluke 87 meter. And that is with the air compressor hot. The Coleman Powermate would drop almost 15 volts and frequency would bounce from mid 50s to mid 60s before stablizing from the govener and let out a puff of black smoke.

For one the big difference is the rotational mass is significantly higher with the HF head and pulleys. The powermate has very little mass to speak of.

Now I need to work on making it quieter. I don't think its much quieter than the Powermate which is obnoxious, just more cylinders barking in harmony. Not too shabby.
thx
Jim

 

[Lazy]

Hi
check out these rex couplers web page we used these where I worked before retiring and they were much better than any other type. didn't have the alignment problems we had with the lovejoy or falk. The chain type had to be near perfect in alignment.

Charlie

 

[yugo]

Jim, I'd like to show you a photo or two of an old military generator, that has a very impressive control panel. The wiring schematics were printed in 1953. It has a very small continental engine in it. ( Friend brought it out to me - major engine problems.) It appears to be 9K-10K output generator. Since it is military, it does have 120v,240v single phase and 3-phase capabilities. The control panel does have a volt meter, amp meter, cycle meter (50-70 cycles), and an hour meter. Of course there is a selector switch for various voltages and phases. Good luck with your project. Just thought you might be interested in seeing this one. Yugo

 

[yugo]

Jim - here's the second picture of military generator. - Yugo

 

[MikeL_O]

Can anyone provide more info about this "Ohio" connection? I'd greatly appreciate it.

TIA

 

[Jim_in_Omaha]

Heres the current work in progress of the genset with the military surplus engine. Still in the raw stage. Much work left to do. But it does run my air compressor just fine. Engine runs at 3000 rpm and the generator at 3600.
thx
Jim

 

[Jim_in_Omaha]

Drive side. Yes there will be shields.
thx
Jim

 

[hntnfsh]

I'm new here and was following this thread.
I plan on doing the same with a generator head.
What about speed regulation?
I was thinking about using a VW rabbit diesel
motor.Any ideas?
Thanks
Doug

 

[Jim_in_Omaha]

Doug,
I missed getting a hold of a Volkswagon diesel. Could have had it for $150.

With my experience from this project your two biggest challenges would be the speed governor and fabricating the coupler, either belt or direct drive.

The military engine I'm using has a mechanical governor very simular to this one at Surpluscenter.com.
http://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?UID=2005072709441238&item=28-1201&catname=
The trick would be getting oil feed to it, but it works fantastic on mine. And for $29 bucks it would be worth trying.

thx
Jim