EcoRenovator - View Single Post - ice storm, generators and lessons learned

stevehull · 01-14-16, 02:55 PM

Pinball,

A 10 kW tractor mounted PTO (power take off) generator for $895 is a bargain even if you must create a mounting frame. Just be aware that there is a lot of starting torque and the frame needs to be husky.

Your 36 HP diesel will easily spin this. I have a friend with an old Ford 8N (gasoline) and he constantly fills it when running his PTO generator. I far prefer diesel due to the energy density, cost and (to a degree) time stability. With time, diesel can (and does) go bad, but I run through several 55 gallon drums a year so it stays relatively fresh.

Reread my section on where to store the diesel fuel. It got REALLY old carrying up 5 gallon "Jerry" cans of diesel fuel for refilling the tractor fuel tank. An above head height storage area would be great so you have gravity feed into the fuel tank. But this needs to be close by where you connect up the generator into your home electrical system.

With some heavy start up loads, you may see a bit of a momentary voltage drop with your 36 HP diesel tractor - I did with mine. I did not see this with the 80 HP big tractor, but the larger tractor was just so inefficient in terms of fuel used per hour. The big tractor had a LOT of inertia.

Lastly, turn off your power and run your operation on the tractor and generator when you HAVE power and it is a nice sunny day. I had done this mentally, but did not consider the time/effort/frustration of moving the fuel around and lifting them over my shoulder to fill the tractor tank.

As always a real life test is the best one.

Steve

01-14-16, 02:55 PM	#32
stevehull Steve Hull Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: hilly, tree covered Arcadia, OK USA Posts: 826 Thanks: 241 Thanked 165 Times in 123 Posts	Pinball, A 10 kW tractor mounted PTO (power take off) generator for $895 is a bargain even if you must create a mounting frame. Just be aware that there is a lot of starting torque and the frame needs to be husky. Your 36 HP diesel will easily spin this. I have a friend with an old Ford 8N (gasoline) and he constantly fills it when running his PTO generator. I far prefer diesel due to the energy density, cost and (to a degree) time stability. With time, diesel can (and does) go bad, but I run through several 55 gallon drums a year so it stays relatively fresh. Reread my section on where to store the diesel fuel. It got REALLY old carrying up 5 gallon "Jerry" cans of diesel fuel for refilling the tractor fuel tank. An above head height storage area would be great so you have gravity feed into the fuel tank. But this needs to be close by where you connect up the generator into your home electrical system. With some heavy start up loads, you may see a bit of a momentary voltage drop with your 36 HP diesel tractor - I did with mine. I did not see this with the 80 HP big tractor, but the larger tractor was just so inefficient in terms of fuel used per hour. The big tractor had a LOT of inertia. Lastly, turn off your power and run your operation on the tractor and generator when you HAVE power and it is a nice sunny day. I had done this mentally, but did not consider the time/effort/frustration of moving the fuel around and lifting them over my shoulder to fill the tractor tank. As always a real life test is the best one. Steve __________________ consulting on geothermal heating/cooling & rational energy use since 1990