Yanmar Genset Project

[BravoXray]

After I finished up building the Yanmat 3TNA72 powered generator I have been working on for 20 years, I took it all back apart and took the frame work to the local fab shop and got it powder coated Kubota ROPS gray. I picked it up yesterday and it looks great.
Today I started putting it back together, and got the generator and the engine aligned coaxially and bolted down. So sometime soon the project will finally be finished up.

 

[ArlyA]

Dennis does nice work!

 

[BravoXray]

Dennis does nice work!

Thanks!

 

[arto98607]

Nice genset - do you have any photos you could share showing what the wheels & hitch setup look like?

 

[BravoXray]

Nice genset - do you have any photos you could share showing what the wheels & hitch setup look like?

I will in a few days when I get it all assembled.

Worked on it this afternoon for three hours installing the electrical system, throttle servo, and fuel system, plus a few other little tweaks.
After powder coating, you have to ream out all the bolt holes if they are a close fit, and remove it at holes where an electrical connection is grounded to the metal.
Still have to put the fuel tank on, install the radiator and hoses, exhaust system, air intake system and the axle and subframe.

And yes, I'll remember to take the rag out of the air intake.

 

[BravoXray]

In the last couple of days I got the wiring all back on and hooked up, the radiator in, the exhaust system on, fuel tank on, and the sub-frames, axle, tires and hitch installed. I'm waiting on a new air filter assembly to arrive before I finish hooking up the fuel system as it may require removing the fuel tank. I also added a radiator overflow line with clamps to fasten it to the radiator frame, and a longer fuel tank vent line with a couple of clamps to hold it where it belongs.
One other thing I need to make is a stand or jack on the hitch to hold it level when not hooked up.
I did get the axle positioned in the correct place. When it's setting level there are 30-40 lbs of weight on the hitch.

 

[arto98607]

That looks very good, thank you!

Looks like you are going to leave it open and have no side panels?

 

[ArlyA]

Panels with some sound absorption materiel would do it good. Dennis???

 

[Barry 1]

What model generator head is that ? Is it 1800 RPM ?

 

[BravoXray]

Panels with some sound absorption materiel would do it good. Dennis???

Good idea, I'll have to look into it.
Thanks.

 

[BravoXray]

What model generator head is that ? Is it 1800 RPM ?

It's a Voltmaster 10KW, 3600 rpm unit. I bought it from Northern Hydraulic in 1996, before they changed their name to Northern Tool.
The Yanmar was already set to run at 3600 rpm, so I didn't even have to adjust the governor speed.

 

[BravoXray]

I fabbed up a castering trailer tongue jack that plugs into the hitch receiver on the front of the genset. Bought the jack from TSC, made a matching plate out of some 1/4" plate I had, welded a piece of 2"X2" tubing to it, then blasted and painted it.
Put it together this afternoon and it works really well to roll it around where ever I want it.
I'm pondering a way to stow the tongue when it's not in use. It might work to fasten it down to the cage where it's lying under the front of the engine in the picture.
As soon as I get the new air filter assembly I can connect the fuel lines and get it running.
Once it's finished up, it's time (finally) to get started on the Nova hanging on the rotisserie in the background.

 

[nstractorguy]

Nice work on the genny! Just wondering why you didn't just buy one? There are lots of choices out there, cost?

 

[BravoXray]

Nice work on the genny! Just wondering why you didn't just buy one? There are lots of choices out there, cost?

Thanks!
I'm always looking for a new project, so when I came across the engine at a reasonable price, I though it would be a good, reliable engine for a genset. Back in '96 when I bought the 10Kw generator, it was only $500, now they are $1200-$1300. The drive coupling was the next most expensive part at ~$300, but it works perfectly. When I shut it down after over eight hours running, it was cool enough I could lay my hand on it. I probably have a total of $3K in it, I doubt you could buy a decent 10Kw diesel genset for that.