PTO Generators? IMD vs Winco?

[CalG]

10KW units are similar in price.

Anyone have experience with the IMD? The adverts say "USA".
Mostly I wonder about the gear box ;-)

 

[ponytug]

I have never used an IMD, but I'd pick the AVR over the capacitor based voltage regulation, as it will give better voltage regulation.

Generally speaking, PTO generators aren't as good at regulating frequency as other generators, unless the tractor has a digital ECM to control engine speed.

All the best,

Peter

 

[CalG]

I have very little need for frequency regulation.
50/60 hz

Even the kitchen clock runs off a battery.

Thanks for your comments!

 

[DarkBlack]

You don’t have a well pump or other 60hz AC motor in your house?
Those certainly care about 60hz being under frequency

 

[ponytug]

You don’t have a well pump or other 60hz AC motor in your house?
Those certainly care about 60hz being under frequency

"Close" to 60 should be fine for most motors. Microwaves tend to be a finicky appliance, and some UPS units have trouble outside of 58-62Hz.

@CalG I've run a WINCO PTO generator for a week more or less straight for 18 hours a day. My only tweak was to put the tractor in 1,000rpm PTO, and then drop the engine speed until the PTO was running 540rpm to save fuel as the tractor had a ton of HP, relative to what the generator needed.

All the best,

Peter

 

[CalG]

You don’t have a well pump or other 60hz AC motor in your house?
Those certainly care about 60hz being under frequency

It's been a long time since I've run across an A/C induction motor that didn't read 50/60 hz on the motor plate.

 

[CalG]

"Close" to 60 should be fine for most motors. Microwaves tend to be a finicky appliance, and some UPS units have trouble outside of 58-62Hz.

@CalG I've run a WINCO PTO generator for a week more or less straight for 18 hours a day. My only tweak was to put the tractor in 1,000rpm PTO, and then drop the engine speed until the PTO was running 540rpm to save fuel as the tractor had a ton of HP, relative to what the generator needed.

All the best,

Peter

Yep!

I've got two tractors to choose from that have the high speed pto.
Our domestic needs are small, but the well pump needs must be met.
I'm sure the fuel economy of the .9 liter diesel will be noticeable.

 

[DarkBlack]

It's been a long time since I've run across an A/C induction motor that didn't read 50/60 hz on the motor plate.

You’re confused. Most American market motors are designed for 60hz.
Running a 60hz motor installed to run at 60hz, at 50hz will cause obvious performance issues (20% slow), and if you’re not driving it with a VFD, then it’s going to run too hot and consume excessive current

 

[DarkBlack]

"Close" to 60 should be fine for most motors.

When I first tried running my 3/4 hp deep well pump off my 5k generator, it couldn’t reliably start it. Often just bogged the generator down until a breaker would trip, or I would kick off the breaker.
The generator was factory set at 60hz no load. When I measured, it dropped to 59hz with a moderate load, and 58.5hz when bogged by the stalled deep well pump.
I adjusted the no load to 61hz, no load. During startup there’s a quick drop to 60hz.
Deep well pump starts and runs perfectly now.

Deep well pumps can have enormous starting currents depending on well depth, static water level, and number of check valves

 

[CalG]

I have found modern induction motors to be very tolerant of both voltage and frequency fluctuations.
Most motors in my inventory today, which must be over 16 in number, (though several are 3ph) carry plated ratings for 200-240 volt, 50-60 hz input.

Of course, I'm not going to pull the water pump to assure you of that particular motor plate. But HEY! It's water cooled! I bet it can tolerate a "warm spell" several times per hour.

Just so long as it gets STARTED!

When I first tried running my 3/4 hp deep well pump off my 5k generator, it couldn’t reliably start it. Often just bogged the generator down until a breaker would trip, or I would kick off the breaker.
The generator was factory set at 60hz no load. When I measured, it dropped to 59hz with a moderate load, and 58.5hz when bogged by the stalled deep well pump.
I adjusted the no load to 61hz, no load. During startup there’s a quick drop to 60hz.
Deep well pump starts and runs perfectly now.

Deep well pumps can have enormous starting currents depending on well depth, static water level, and number of check valves

One hz? That is one fussy well pump motor.