Tiny Generator for Stoker Emergency Power

Uglysquirrel · Post by **Uglysquirrel** » Tue. Aug. 11, 2009 8:40 pm

Been knocking around how to power either the oil burner (blech) or stoker during a potential power outage, 12V batteries only last so long so picked up a 800 watt 2-cycle generator from Harbor Freightland of China. It's actually quieter than expected, does 5 hrs at 1/2 load on 1.1 gallons 40:1 mix. With the Pocono taking 180 watts (measured by one of those meters) with all motors going and controlled by the Coaltrol, this engine pretty much idles suggesting may be able to get maybe 6-6.5 hrs from 1.1 gallons. Interestingly, the Coaltrol does not run the two 265 cfm blowers at max speed all the time.

This thing goes for $129, on sale now for $109, Northern has similar for $149.

Just though we could talk about tiny generators, obviously Honda is the best but big bucks.

009to090 · Post by **009to090** » Tue. Aug. 11, 2009 9:16 pm

CHINA-GEN?

(Cringe) I hope it lasts you longer than a UPS on a battery.

Post by **coaledsweat** » Tue. Aug. 11, 2009 9:39 pm

That should really piss the neighbors off when the power is out. Not only will you be warm as toast, but you will be watching TV or surfing the net too.

CapeCoaler · Post by **CapeCoaler** » Tue. Aug. 11, 2009 11:03 pm

Small fuel cell.
Quiet.
**Broken Link(s) Removed**http://www.energyvortex.com/pages/headlinedetails ... &archive=1

The fuel cell

http://www.heliocentris.com/en/customers/systems/ ... fc-42.html
http://www.heliocentris.com/en/customers/systems/ ... 5QodrQ6-ew

You would need to run DC but that is better...

WNY · Post by **WNY** » Wed. Aug. 12, 2009 2:05 pm

If you Feed rate is at 99, the blowers will run at 100%, but other than that, the Coaltrol will vary the speeds to maintain perfect temps....!!

tsb · Post by **tsb** » Wed. Aug. 12, 2009 4:41 pm

We need to develop a small coal powered generator.

Tom

whistlenut · Post by **whistlenut** » Wed. Aug. 12, 2009 9:08 pm

No need to reinvent the wheel, all you need to do is get a steam engine with a big flywheel and add a generator to the output shaft. Constant rpm should be achievable because of the big flywheel and all you need is a 'fireman' to keep her stoked up. Check with Stoker Scott; he has an anthracite powered dirigible, a stoker powered ciggy boat on Lake George, a stoker powered submarine(don't know how that one worked out); a stoker powered P-51 Mustang, a stoker fired Boss Hawg Bike(with a 1300 EFM makin' the steam)(she ain't pretty,though) and lastly a stoker powered 10 wheeler.
I think he and Al Gore are at odds over global warming.......

Uglysquirrel · Post by **Uglysquirrel** » Wed. Aug. 12, 2009 9:58 pm

Oh....I get it.... the coal produces steam that runs a turbine that runs the generator that runs the stoker.

Sounds like a Chinese coal stove patent.

Man, you guys are clearly honorary PHd's status.

Poconoeagle · Post by **Poconoeagle** » Wed. Aug. 12, 2009 10:00 pm

Uglysquirrel wrote:Oh....I get it.... the coal produces steam that runs a turbine that runs the generator that runs the stoker.

Sounds like a Chinese coal stove patent.

Man, you guys are clearly honorary PHd's status.

yes indeed....if you buy now, it comes with a pet squirril cage back up!!

Scottscoaled · Post by **Scottscoaled** » Wed. Aug. 12, 2009 10:41 pm

Hey!!!!!!! What???? You forgot the stoker powered RV. I like your posts W-nut. They are pretty.

So what ever happened to this engine that ran on coal dust? When I joined this forum there was talk about the first combustion engine being fueled by coal dust. Who knows about this. Scott

009to090 · Post by **009to090** » Thu. Aug. 13, 2009 7:35 am

stokerscot wrote: So what ever happened to this engine that ran on coal dust? When I joined this forum there was talk about the first combustion engine being fueled by coal dust. Who knows about this. Scott

On "MythBusters" they tried running a 4-cycle on black powder. It did not work, kept gumming up in the combustion chamber. I guess due to the oil film on the walls of the cyl.

Post by **coaledsweat** » Thu. Aug. 13, 2009 7:51 am

stokerscot wrote:So what ever happened to this engine that ran on coal dust?

It may be back, Rudolf Diesel killed someone the last time he tried it (the CR was said to be around 80:1!).
**Broken Link(s) Removed**

whistlenut · Post by **whistlenut** » Thu. Aug. 13, 2009 9:19 pm

Apologies for forgetting StokerScotts "anthracite fired" Recreational Vehicle. It's a 55 footer, holds 2500 gallons of water(for steam), 10 tons of Buckwheat coal, has "super single" tires and gets around 450 miles per ton!! It's not exactly a nukie sub, but a real nice long range travel machine. Kinda looks like a giant "Weiner-Mobile". You will all know scott when you meet him because he always hummmmmmmsss the Oscar Meyer tune....I wish I was an Oscar Meyer Weiner...you know the rest.........
I thought I remembered them all and then I realized the 'ant-dust fired Dixie Chopper. 84" cutting width, 4 wheel drive, 65 HP steam pressure vessel; top speed is classified, but I heard he was clocked at 83 mph!!! .....and that was in a field in Albany.....chasing politicians. He forgot that they are sooooo slippery that even a direct hit at 83 mph wouldn't get a straight answer out of any one of them.

I heard a great deal of criticism of Chinese Generators....have seen a few problems with off brand stuff, but the quality can be had if you want to pay a fair price

The big box stores have what appears to be a lot of generator for the money. Time will tell,....as I still get my power from the Miller portable welder. 14 years old, works perfectly every time I fire it up. Cost 2300 back then, but divide that by 14 and it makes sense in my opinion.

:discuss:

Greyhound · Post by **Greyhound** » Mon. Aug. 17, 2009 9:13 pm

On a separate posting people talking about the new coal plant in Massachusetts. Well, for you experimenters, the home sized version may look something like this. Now they talk about wood gas, but I believe you could run this on coal as well. Not affiliated, just interested.

http://www.gekgasifier.com/

Post by **coaledsweat** » Mon. Aug. 17, 2009 9:42 pm

Gasifiers?

http://www.journeytoforever.org/biofuel_library/m ... _bate.html