Generator PTO Generator

JEP · Apr 8, 2003

Nothern Tool has a 13kW one for $1k. You need to add PTO shaft and mounting platform or trailer.

NT PTO Gen

Rubintropfen · Apr 8, 2003

Sorry to hear about the folks with no power. I took the wife to Monroe County on Saturday for an antique show and they were late starting because their power was out. We didn't know there was a state of emergency until we were already there and heard it on the radio. We didn't see any problems except power outages in Brockport and Chili.

Franz, you are right about oversizing. I can power my whole house with a 5 KW or so generator, and I only went that big so that if the fridge, well pump, and septic pump started at the same time I had a chance it would keep running. All my heating appliances burn natural gas, though.

Is equipment available (purchase outright or a local rental) that will figure out peak usage for motor startup, etc.?

dpm · Apr 8, 2003

Thanks for the information. I did find a 7KW (smallest size available) PTO generator from WINPOWER which is a bit more than the northern tool one.

Franz..I'd be interested in the Binghamton PTO generator information if you can dig it up.

gerard · Apr 8, 2003

franz,
Got a hookup question using a transfer switch. I know that is the correct and safest way to hook up a generator to do the whole house but that means I can't use that circuit as a welding circuit too correct? (If I understand how they work when you hook up to the grid that circuit is dead and when you connect to that circuit you're not hooked to the grid so if you wanted to have a welding outlet you'd have to run 2 separate circuits??)

Anonymous Poster · Apr 8, 2003

Gerard, there is no reason you cannot feed the whole house backwards thru the welder circuit.
It's a matter of SAFETY when you do that. You MUST be ABSOLUTELY certain the main breaker is open to isolate the entire house service from the incoming utility.

Anonymous Poster · Apr 8, 2003

OK guys, listen up. I don't have info on PTO units YET, but it's coming.
For those of you who are looking at generators, this site has more brands and information than just about anyplace.
http://www.southwestfastener.com/
They also have plenty of other toys, such as pressure washers.
Have fun researching.

bobsedor · Apr 8, 2003

I live in Binghamton and I'm not aware of the company that you are referring to!

Please post asap.

tractorhal · Apr 8, 2003

Gerard, You can back feed through the welder outlet but be real careful because you will have a cord with a male plug on both ends. If you plug it into the gen. first and it is generating the ends will be hot. Depending on amps look at ship to shore devices or pin and sleeve connectors. The pins will or can still be hot but they are protected by the housing. Expensive. Another reason you want your main breaker open, or disconnect open, is so you don't supply your power to everyone else.

Anonymous Poster · Apr 8, 2003

You can buy an Ampmeter or Amprobe at Grainger or other electrical supply houses that will tell you what your starting load is on each piece of equipment. You would measure the load when the equipment first starts. Then add them together. Another, more practical way to do it would be to run all equipment (with utility power on) that you would want to run off a generator. Shut off everything else in the house. Open your breaker box, if your comfortable doing so, and measure the load of each circuit. Add them together and that is your best way to size your generator. You can also look at each motor in your house, it should have a label on it that will tell you FLA (full load amps) and RLA (run load amps). The FLA number will indicate if the motor shaft was completely locked, what the motor would draw. RLA number will indicate what the motor will draw under "normal operating conditions" at the specified voltage and AC frequency. Almost all US home circuits are 120 or 240/220 volts with a frequency of 60 HZ. I work on some Cogeneration units and do some utility monitoring for School Districts and Colleges. Good luck.
Dave

Anonymous Poster · Apr 9, 2003

Here in Michigan we're finally getting power. Seems like the place I work was the only one in 10 miles. Today is Wednesday and it looks like Lapeer is all aglow again.

mikell