pmsmechanic
Elite Member
- Joined
- Dec 6, 2013
- Messages
- 4,053
- Location
- Southern Alberta, Canada
- Tractor
- 4410 and F-935 John Deere, MF 245
So a while ago I was given 4 Thermo King motors and 1 Isuzu. The deal was that I make one into an emergency generator for their farm and I could do what I wanted with the others. 1 TK motor is supposedly an overhauled long block complete with an injection pump, oil filter etc. One had never been used on the farm and was still complete as a refrigeration unit. That one I've stripped of all refrigeration components and I managed to get it running yesterday.
The last two TK's were in used on the farm as lift pumps for flood irrigation. One I can't bar over so I don't know if I'll be able to get it running and the other one turns over so we'll see.
The 5th motor is a 3 cylinder Isuzu that was also used as a lift pump. It's loose but I haven't worked it over yet.
All the motors produce around 29 hp.
1) What size of generator? There is so much conflicting advice. Any where's from 750 watts / hp to 1 kva / 2 hp. I know there is a difference between watts and kva. Some explanation on that would be good. Right now I'm looking at 15 - 19 kva. Is it better to have the generator a bit over sized for the motor so that the generator has less of a chance at being overloaded or is it better to have a smaller generator on a larger motor so that the motor would never really lug down and you would be able to generate quality electricity.
2) How many amps would be adequate? This is basically emergency power for a fairly large farm. I realize that 29 hp isn't enough to run the whole farm. If he wants more power to run everything he can buy a pto unit for the whole farm and just switch to this one for the house and shop for the evenings/night.
3) What brand of generator? Who do I deal with and who shouldn't be trusted? How much should I worry about thd and what thd should I look for. I know I need a 4 pole or more because the TK units are governed at 1800 rpm. I also need single phase and the ability to generate 240/120. I read somewhere once that Northern Tool or similar outfit at one time made a bolt on generator for these FK units. I haven't been able to find any or any information on them either. That would be the ideal solution as it seems like they bolted right up to the FK bell housing.
Any advice or experiences that you have would be appreciated. I probably haven't even asked all the right questions so if you want to go there that's ok too. I'm in no hurry to get these done (Read that I can wait for a good used generator) but it's a nice project for these Corona days.
The last two TK's were in used on the farm as lift pumps for flood irrigation. One I can't bar over so I don't know if I'll be able to get it running and the other one turns over so we'll see.
The 5th motor is a 3 cylinder Isuzu that was also used as a lift pump. It's loose but I haven't worked it over yet.
All the motors produce around 29 hp.
1) What size of generator? There is so much conflicting advice. Any where's from 750 watts / hp to 1 kva / 2 hp. I know there is a difference between watts and kva. Some explanation on that would be good. Right now I'm looking at 15 - 19 kva. Is it better to have the generator a bit over sized for the motor so that the generator has less of a chance at being overloaded or is it better to have a smaller generator on a larger motor so that the motor would never really lug down and you would be able to generate quality electricity.
2) How many amps would be adequate? This is basically emergency power for a fairly large farm. I realize that 29 hp isn't enough to run the whole farm. If he wants more power to run everything he can buy a pto unit for the whole farm and just switch to this one for the house and shop for the evenings/night.
3) What brand of generator? Who do I deal with and who shouldn't be trusted? How much should I worry about thd and what thd should I look for. I know I need a 4 pole or more because the TK units are governed at 1800 rpm. I also need single phase and the ability to generate 240/120. I read somewhere once that Northern Tool or similar outfit at one time made a bolt on generator for these FK units. I haven't been able to find any or any information on them either. That would be the ideal solution as it seems like they bolted right up to the FK bell housing.
Any advice or experiences that you have would be appreciated. I probably haven't even asked all the right questions so if you want to go there that's ok too. I'm in no hurry to get these done (Read that I can wait for a good used generator) but it's a nice project for these Corona days.