Your last generator Maintenance Run

[3930dave]

I cant help you either. I know the generac only uses a 10vdc Field flash charge (Minimum) to initiate electrical production. Im not sure what other units need.

Good data. Haven't had to diagnose in this area (knock wood)...... #'s are lower than I would have guessed.

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

Westinghouse pictures show a 20 pound tank being used, and while they are everywhere, everywhere, I don't mind taking a 30 pounder out in my car to get refilled.
But...sold my tractor and my truck, so anything larger isn't in the cards. Gen would be kept in unheated garage, and PA winters can get down to zero. On really cold days I could put a small heater next to the gen and tanks and keep them warmer. Would put tank in garden cart and wheel it over to house. Broken track, yes understand cold weather vaporization issues but average winter temps are more likely in the twenties instead of zero. Of course Murphy arrives in the coldest, worst weather...
I had a 1000 gallon propane tank at my last house, didn't have to worry about this for sure, now moving into rental home which is fuel oil and electric, unfortunately.

The problem with smaller tanks is gas company won't send a truck out to fill them, so either you go large, or small enough to carry.

In PA, you'll probably be fine d. Worst case - the dreaded gasoline option !

The nice thing with a 2+ tank manifold is it gives you the option of increasing tank vapourization area in cold weather.

Rgds, D.

 

[nikdfish]

A while back, I think it was Nik who posted the parts he used to build a manifold for 2 propane tanks on his portable gen. Similar setup on most small camper trailers. 2x30# would give you almost 24 hours, not bad.

Clean, clean, clean....... when I was young, an older buddy was talking with one of the mechanics at the local propane delivery company. He had taken the head off one of their old delivery trucks (broken valve spring) that they ran on propane, said the head was still as clean as the day it was built.

Rgds, D.

It was post #1023 in this thread. https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...-maintenance-run-post4694350.html#post4694350

On a related note I put 12 plastic 5 gallon gas jugs out by the end of the driveway as freebies for whoever wants them. I used to keep gas on hand for the generator until the standby unit was installed, but even the backup is just run on propane these days (7 20# bottles) so I wanted to finally clear out the unneeded extras. I'm strictly using metal cans for gas these days for the small engines that need it.

 

[3930dave]

It was post #1023 in this thread. https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...-maintenance-run-post4694350.html#post4694350

On a related note I put 12 plastic 5 gallon gas jugs out by the end of the driveway as freebies for whoever wants them. I used to keep gas on hand for the generator until the standby unit was installed, but even the backup is just run on propane these days (7 20# bottles) so I wanted to finally clear out the unneeded extras. I'm strictly using metal cans for gas these days for the small engines that need it.

Wow, further back than I thought.... .thanks for that link Nik.

Post gasoline world ? I'm sure somebody appreciated those free "cans".....

I like propane and natgas. If there was more infrastructure here, I'd seriously consider either for a new truck. Neither gas (vapour) has the stability problems gasoline does, only catch is the expiry date on the tanks.... new 20 or 30# tanks aren't that spendy though....

Do you have a favourite brand of those metal cans you are using now Nik ?

Rgds, D.

 

[nikdfish]

Been using the eagle 5 gallon galvanized cans with the removable plastic funnel/spout.
Amazon part # is B00004Y75M @ $35.49

Tried posting a link but site would change it to hit staples.com version @ $66+

 

[3930dave]

Been using the eagle 5 gallon galvanized cans with the removable plastic funnel/spout.
Amazon part # is B00004Y75M @ $35.49

Tried posting a link but site would change it to hit staples.com version @ $66+

Thanks Nik.

Found it on amazon.ca - Liking your price better...... nice, w. that integrated funnel.

Rgds, D.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

I never really thought about it, but now that I have, it makes sense. I will have to try it because if it does it will save me quite a bit of frustration in getting the belts twisted and held in alignment with an idler pulley.

Thanks: that was great information!

You mean my generator running backwards doesn’t make 042 volts?

 

[grsthegreat]

You mean my generator running backwards doesn’t make 042 volts?

only in Australia....where everything runs backwards

 

[BrokenTrack]

You mean my generator running backwards doesn’t make 042 volts?

No but there would be some hurdles to overcome. The fan would be running backwards that cools the generator being the biggest issue. And I would think the brushes would wear prematurely too.

I could cut the mounting frame of the generator and swap it to the left side of the engine instead of being on the right, and mount the PTO driveshaft in a new hole out the generator buildings wall, but it would be right smack in the way then.

I think the best bet would be to just twist the belts at this point, but maybe go with a pulley set instead of single set of pulleys to get my pulley diameter's reduced. The hard part about that is I do not know what my pulley centers would be, making it hard to calculate pulley diameter that I need. I know I got 19 inch centers now, and that is not enough room for a 2 set pulley train.

 

[workinonit]

One of the nice things about having a PTO driven 25 kW generator is not having to do maintenance runs. The next best thing is that it runs my entire house and shop without any interruptions, once I have it online.