TomSeller
Super Member
That is good, I think mine is 6%.
Portable Generators
- Thread starter Pettrix
- Start date
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That is good, I think mine is 6%.
Larry Caldwell
Super Member
Yes, stove oil is basically #2 diesel fuel. I have put many hundreds of hours on diesel tractors running stove oil. A generator plumbed to run off of the heating oil tank would be a great solution for a high hour generator.
I have been watching YouTube videos of guys who have built home generators using Lister-Petter diesels. They are still manufactured in India. The small ones are hand start and will run on anything that will pour. At 800 rpm they will run virtually forever.
buickanddeere
Super Member
Better to find an original British built unit. The East Indian built units require complete disassembly , cleaning, blue print machining some components to spec, glyptol painting and a few components updated such as an offset idler gear shaft for the Lister.
keyskid
New member
I've been debating buying a PTO generator vs a gas powered one. I like the idea of not having an extra small gas engine around to maintain but not sure if I'd want to tie up the tractor during a power outage.
dragoneggs
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I vote for gas... more options. It's a no brainer for my needs.
Larry Caldwell
Super Member
I don't see that as much of a consideration. During an outage you only use a tractor for a few hours a day, and in most climates you only use a generator for a few hours a day. The hassle is getting out there in lousy conditions and changing implements. Also, small utility tractor engines are not big enough to suit the big generator crew. You need 45 PTO hp (~50 engine hp) to make 22 kw, and the frequency is going to vary a lot with load. Tractors are not designed to run at a precise RPM. However, if you need 100 kw for your milking operation, a big tractor PTO generator is just what you should looking at. You have several tractors anyway.
Larry Caldwell
Super Member
You don't need to go to Britain. There are plenty of US made Lister diesels around. They were the stationary power plant standard until WWII. If you buy an old one, you are going to rebuild it just like the Hindu models. Or you could just buy a restored endine from an antique power fair, but it would be cheaper just to buy a new diesel from the Chinese.
Sawyer Rob
Super Member
Why do you automatically think he needs 22kw???I don't see that as much of a consideration. During an outage you only use a tractor for a few hours a day, and in most climates you only use a generator for a few hours a day. The hassle is getting out there in lousy conditions and changing implements. Also, small utility tractor engines are not big enough to suit the big generator crew. You need 45 PTO hp (~50 engine hp) to make 22 kw, and the frequency is going to vary a lot with load. Tractors are not designed to run at a precise RPM. However, if you need 100 kw for your milking operation, a big tractor PTO generator is just what you should looking at. You have several tractors anyway.
I sure don't, in fact I don't even need the 15kw my pto genset is rated at, I just bought one that big so I could run my welder/compressor/lights and grinder when I'm away from the shop....and I've not even done that.
In fact, most times, I run my pto genset with a smaller tractor than the op, that asked the question, owns...
SR
DieselBound
Elite Member
Rob, I was wondering that as well.
Generators are supposed to be run at at least 1/2 power output (some say higher). If you have a big generator then you're going to have to apply a larger load. Larger load equals more fuel use.
I'm fortunate in that my electrical needs are low. And, when there's a power outage I figure I'm going to be more frugal with energy use: my grid power is very cheap (compared to most), no way that any generator can be run as cheaply. I'm not going to be doing any welding during an electrical outage: I don't make my living welding, so no urgency there. I've got a 7.5kW [diesel] generator.
Generators are supposed to be run at at least 1/2 power output (some say higher). If you have a big generator then you're going to have to apply a larger load. Larger load equals more fuel use.
I'm fortunate in that my electrical needs are low. And, when there's a power outage I figure I'm going to be more frugal with energy use: my grid power is very cheap (compared to most), no way that any generator can be run as cheaply. I'm not going to be doing any welding during an electrical outage: I don't make my living welding, so no urgency there. I've got a 7.5kW [diesel] generator.
Industrial Toys
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I had thought about getting a listeroid.
One, I really don't need such a project, but two, I read bad reports about them getting gunked up in the combustion chamber if they are not run hot, meaning at good load. OR run on waste oil and such fluids.
One, I really don't need such a project, but two, I read bad reports about them getting gunked up in the combustion chamber if they are not run hot, meaning at good load. OR run on waste oil and such fluids.
buickanddeere
Super Member
newbury
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Since this seems to be the "hot" generator thread at the moment.
Costco has the Champion 2800wt Running / 3100wt Peak Digital Inverter Gas Generator w/ Parallel Capability on sale for $699 add in the "parallel kit" for $70, a second generator and for $1500 you've got a package which can produce almost 3kW in 2 locations or 5.5kW when run together. And that's about the price of ONE Honda EU3000.
Costco has the Champion 2800wt Running / 3100wt Peak Digital Inverter Gas Generator w/ Parallel Capability on sale for $699 add in the "parallel kit" for $70, a second generator and for $1500 you've got a package which can produce almost 3kW in 2 locations or 5.5kW when run together. And that's about the price of ONE Honda EU3000.
Sawyer Rob
Super Member
AND the Honda will still be running and on the job, when the two china generators are dead in the shed. lol
SR
buickanddeere
Super Member
Actually I would put my money on the Champions. They are one of the few companies that make a point of exceeding the quality of the name brand that they are copying.
Neighbour has used a pair of Champion 1600's at his trailer for several years for many hundreds of hours. All they need is fuel and oil.
Neighbour has used a pair of Champion 1600's at his trailer for several years for many hundreds of hours. All they need is fuel and oil.
Industrial Toys
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- Kubota R510 Wheel Loader + Cab and backhoe, JD 6200 Open Station, Cushman 6150, 4x4, ten foot 56 hp Kubota diesel hydraulic wing mower, Steiner 430 Diesel Max, Kawasaki Diesel Mule, JD 4x2 Electric Gator
A neighbor that just bought a new house with a Honda Portable (Not really a back-up) drove in during the big ice storm (years ago) because the (brand new) Honda had failed. He was rather irritated! I say again. A lawn mower does not a back up generator make!
OP
Pettrix
Platinum Member
It really comes down to HOW the generator is made rather than WHO made the generator.
Champion and other brands that sell for low prices are typically made of aluminum heads and even worse, aluminum windings. This will lead to running hot, dirty power (poor Sine Waves), and eventual failure of the generator.
Copper windings and copper heads (like those made by Honda) are the best way to go. These will last forever.
As far as the motors go. Honda makes good motors while some other brands make cheap (Chinese made) motors that run hot, burn oil, or misfire constantly. Honda motors start on the first pull and they tend to not burn oil or misfire.
Once again, more than brand names, it's WHAT'S inside that matter. Generators should be copper heads and windings. Aluminum is cheaper but will run hotter and put out dirty power. You get what you pay for.
Champion and other brands that sell for low prices are typically made of aluminum heads and even worse, aluminum windings. This will lead to running hot, dirty power (poor Sine Waves), and eventual failure of the generator.
Copper windings and copper heads (like those made by Honda) are the best way to go. These will last forever.
As far as the motors go. Honda makes good motors while some other brands make cheap (Chinese made) motors that run hot, burn oil, or misfire constantly. Honda motors start on the first pull and they tend to not burn oil or misfire.
Once again, more than brand names, it's WHAT'S inside that matter. Generators should be copper heads and windings. Aluminum is cheaper but will run hotter and put out dirty power. You get what you pay for.
ultrarunner
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I've got two champions in the garage that refuse to start... have not had time to look at them.
My brother's father-in-law bought them new... was going to toss them and that is how I got them... look like new... the small unit was used twice and the bigger one never except to check operation.
My brother's father-in-law bought them new... was going to toss them and that is how I got them... look like new... the small unit was used twice and the bigger one never except to check operation.
buickanddeere
Super Member
Any neglected carb will bung up with old contaminated ethanol fuel. i would not blame the machine.
