Homebuilt Generator

The gauges on my transfer switch only show about 3000W or a bit under with the fridge (25.1 cu.ft.), deep well pump, tv, computer, lights & ceiling fans on high. Boiler would add about 700W to that. Gives me plenty of extra power for the barn & the garage door openers, 400W of lights, & battery chargers. Can still run the dishwasher & washing machine all at once. I can't imagine the capabilities of anything bigger than 6500W -- you'd be able to run a small town!

It's up for guesses as to what the rig will actually put out, but I'm sure it'll keep us from freezing and make the well pump run. Maybe even watch TV....if by candlelight.

Ok so back to my question of gearing down an engine. It seems the answer is no? I'm not grasping this answer.

Yanche wrote:In my opinion the ideal generator is 6-pole. 1200 RPM operation gives you 60 Hz power. Nice quite operation especially with a water cooled engine. Barely above an idle.

They made LOTS of those with Detroit Diesel 2-71 engines for railroad reefer cars back in the day. They are pretty widely available used or refurbished, anywhere from 12 to 20kW. Quiet and Detroit Diesel certainly are mutually exclusive, but 1200 rpm is not too bad on the ears. They are kind of a weird 3 phase arrangement, but it's usable for single phase work.

Chris

Update... I gave up on the Yanmars and ended up with a Lister Petter TS2 w/ a 6kva 100% duty cycle head. It is electric and hand startable. She weighs a ton. Its no mobile plant thats for sure. I have her resting in a perm. spot in the garage.

Nice looking setup! A neighbor of mine has a Lister powered generator. His is one of the India-made Lister clone engines, and it runs very well. The only bad thing he had to say about it was the quantity of casting sand in the crankcase. Not sure where your engine was made, but you may want to inspect the base for cleanliness before you fire it up.

Also, I'm curious where you got the generator?

-Robert