The last 2 storms in Maine did not affect my power, but I was ready to go and decided to conduct an overdue PTO generator test. This time I wanted to collect fuel consumption data for an idle use load (no meal prep, no laundry, no cleaning, etc). No AC or electric heat either.
This small load included: 8 LED lights plus occasional lights in the home as I needed them. The refrigerator, dish washer, the latter would cause the .5hp well pump and oil fired boiler to run, and a laptop. I estimate energy consumption in the 1000-2000 watt range.
Power plant: Yanmar 45hp with 32.5hp at the HST PTO, 2400 engine RPM.
Generator: Rural King 16KW, like the Harbor Freight model, Brushed 3600rpm alternator
Duration: 65 minutes (5min warm up, 55min making power, 5 min cool down)
Fuel consumption: 2.5 quarts, I measured it with a stick in the tank and a 5 quart measuring container.
This fuel consumption contrasts with an earlier test that I threw everything in the house as it: add electric oven and range, clothes dryer, more lights, etc. That test consumed 1.25 gallons.
My conclusion is I can expect .625-1.25 gallon/hour use off my 16KW PTO generator, nice to know!
