The Generator Thread

Re: The Generator Thread

1500rpm 5kW Diesel genset from Vidhata (Basant products India), sold by Volvox Engineering in the UK. Weighs about 500kg, huge heavy alternator and cast iron engine block. Poor workmanship throughout, and have had to replace numerous parts, entire electronic control system, the fan, the water pump, injectors, pump, (because they mis-connected the fuel filter) - it only has 200 hours on the clock.
Vidhata were actually very helpful in troubleshooting and sending out spares, but the fact remains that I should never have had those issues in the first place.

Re: The Generator Thread

stephendv wrote: »

1500rpm 5kW Diesel genset from Vidhata (Basant products India), sold by Volvox Engineering in the UK. Weighs about 500kg, huge heavy alternator and cast iron engine block. Poor workmanship throughout, and have had to replace numerous parts, entire electronic control system, the fan, the water pump, injectors, pump, (because they mis-connected the fuel filter) - it only has 200 hours on the clock.
Vidhata were actually very helpful in troubleshooting and sending out spares, but the fact remains that I should never have had those issues in the first place.

How does one get 60 hz out of a 1500 rpm genset? Sounds like a 50 hz genset.

Marc, you're no fun! I could strart with a ~1929 Kohler water cooled 4 cyl DC plant iwht auto start, and go up to the most Recent EU 1000 IX!

Seriously, the biggest issue is matching the gennie to the load. I am a great fan on Hondas for light to medium use. Aside from the EU series, the EX series are pretty robust and reliable. I still keep an EX1800 around for lighter shop use, as it will allow me to run the small table saw and other power tools. I also have a 2900 Mitsubishi that runs great but has had control board problems (which the Mitsubishi tech services seems to have solved as a ground loop in a PV system) I bought it from my neighbour for $50 since he couldn't keep control boards in it. I haven't had a single problem.

I also have used a number of Robin (Subaru) powered 3600 RPM construction gennies with auto idle features. These are great machines for a construction site, as they will idle along until you pull the switch on the tool, and then they will spool up. A bit noise, and fuel hogs if used full bore at less than load.

Finally, Onans, especially the 1800 rpm commercial units. A neighbouring bush camp has a 6 kw rig, with ~ 10,000 hours with no significant service, except a decabonization every couple of years. It runs 18 hours a day for several months a year. Onans are often available from the used RV market.

Tony

Re: The Generator Thread

a) Honeywell 2000i genset & Iota 48V charger (functional)

b) listeroid 6/1 & 3KW 240VAC alternator to drive XW inverter charger ckt. (in process)

Re: The Generator Thread

Onan 5.0 CCK: @ Hunting cabin. Charges batteries through Iota 75/12v, runs tools.
Honda EN 2500. Backup to Onan.
Honda ES 6500, water-cooled, electric start. Used on construction job sites.

Re: The Generator Thread

Actually, Tony, I began looking for one over a year ago after you spoke so highly of them and you also directed me to "THE" generator forum at SmokStak. I've had it for about a year now and installed at my cabin since last summer. It has, unfortunately, developed an oil leak since I dragged it all the way up here, but I've decided to live with it for now. I converted it to propane, built a power shed for it 50' from the cabin and wired it to start remotely from the warmth of the cabin - it's running now and I can hardly hear it. Thanks for your good advice.

Re: The Generator Thread

I have no idea where the leak is yet. The VacuFlow is taking it and blowing it everywhere, and I'm in the middle of hunting season, so I haven't narrowed it down. I'm just checking the oil level frequently and have spread Oil-Dri around to catch the worst of it. Propane conversion was an adapter on the carburetor (dual fuel now) from a Garretson KN and 12v solenoid valve, out of a propane "pig" in the yard regulated by primary and secondary regulators to 11" w.c. vapor.

Re: The Generator Thread

have a honda tri-fueled powered Northstar (fm northern tool) - 13.5kw surge/10.8kw continuous - have had it since 1998, has a little over 1000 hours on it, and compression still showing within 4-5% of original. honda's svc manual shows a life expectancy on the engine at 2500 hours before major overhaul. I suspect they're allowing for folks not changing oil or svcing their engines regularly.

Fuel consumption is hoggish - 20 hp V-twin, runs 16-22 gals a day, dependent on load.

one comment i'll share, in case folks weren't aware, the northstar or in-house northern tool generators are all usa built at their indiana facility. I was a little surprised to learn that but qualtiy and svc from them are super. A friend bought the same gen as mine, then screwed up and managed to connect it inadvertently to live panel and then start it up. Couldn't figure why it was running so erratically so he called me over that nite. He had fried the diodes in the generator head. I'm not electronically "literate" and before we identified the diodes as the only fault, we'd checked and northern tool offered the complete gen head for under $700 which actually surprised me.

have one a little more research on them since and am really surprised at the consistent quality northern tool seems to put into their generator line.

Just picked up a makita 5800 w gen (4800 continuous) used, that the mfgr's specs call for major overhaul on the wisonsin-robin engine at 200 hours (i've got to think that's a typo) but doesn't matter, i've got a honda 13 hp water cooled twin (as used in the ES-6500 gens) i'm rebuilding and want to connect it to that gen head. much quieter engine and super svc life.

Re: The Generator Thread

I've owned a number of generators over the years, and all the others were loud and thirsty. While they worked fine, they do attract unwanted attention during a major power outage, and the huge fuel consumption issue made running them for extended periods not practical. FWIW, our last major outage was in 2004. Two back to back hurricanes knocked out power for 18 days.

After that, I bought a Yamaha EF2400iS generator. A conventional generator consumes 1-1.5 gallons per hour. This inverter generator consumes about 1.6 gallons in just over 8 hours. So in a day, a conventional generator can consume upwards of 36 gallons, this one about 4.5 gallons. Multiply those by 18, you'll find out that this single event, will have paid for the generator.

As it turns out, two coworkers proved this theory. One had a Honda 2KW inverter type generator, the other a conventional model. After that lesson, the second coworker has since bought the same Yamaha I have.

The reason I went for the Yamaha 2400 rather than the Honda, is the Yamaha is rated for running an RV 13,500 BTU A/C unit by itself. It takes two Honda 2KW generators bridged together to run this same A/C, doubling the cost, and increasing the noise, fuel consumption, and overall weight.

This generator also works as emergency power at my home too. While I do have a battery bank and solar panels, the weather following a hurricane is usually bad for a few days, so little energy from the sun. I can use an Iota 75A charger, in conjunction with the generator, to top up the battery bank, then turn the generator off again, greatly conserving my fuel.







Had this one since 2006. Great generator. Did have a couple of fuel issues, both were relatively easy to fix (see videos at the bottom of my webpage).

http://www.2manytoyz.com/yamaha2400.html

Because of my webpage dedicated to this product, I've talked with many hundreds of owners worldwide. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this product, and fellow owners are also big fans of the product. I have never received a penny from Yamaha, or anyone else. Just a satisfied customer!

Re: The Generator Thread

We’ve been using a 1946 Kohler 1.5 KW, 1000 rpm (yes folks, 1000 rpm), 120 volt DC, 4 cylinder, water cooled, model D for backup battery charging since 1981. The only maintenance that’s been necessary is change the oil, spark plugs, and replace a fan belt. It will run full load (2000 watts) for 14 hours on 5 gallons of gasoline. This type generator was very common in rural areas during the 1920's through 1950's. It’s very quiet and very long lasting. It weighs almost 500 pounds. It was originally introduced about 1920. We also have two 120 vac versions of that generator that run at 1200 rpm but are very seldom used. I don’t think there was a quieter, more dependable or well made gasoline generator ever made.

We also have a “screaming demon” 1980 Kohler portable model 5mm65, 5kw @ 3600 rpm that we purchased new in 1980. It has about 2500 hours on it. Maintenance required has been to replace the balance gears once and update to the improved but expensive new design voltage regulator. Overall, it’s been a very dependable gasoline generator if you don’t mind the noise.

Re: The Generator Thread

I've heard many good things about the Honda EU generators. When I was shopping for an inverter generator, I ended up with a Yamaha EF2000. The main reason I chose the Yamaha is because I wasn't really excited about the plastic camshaft on the Honda EU2000 engine. Now, I know that people have had great service life with the Hondas, so the plastic camshaft must be fine. I just prefer the metal camshaft and a removable cylinder head (not that I want to have to remove it and work on the engine). I expect that the engine will have a long life if maintained properly.

Re: The Generator Thread

jacobs wrote: »

We’ve been using a 1946 Kohler 1.5 KW, 1000 rpm (yes folks, 1000 rpm), 120 volt DC, 4 cylinder, water cooled, model D for backup battery charging since 1981. The only maintenance that’s been necessary is change the oil, spark plugs, and replace a fan belt. It will run full load (2000 watts) for 14 hours on 5 gallons of gasoline. This type generator was very common in rural areas during the 1920's through 1950's. It’s very quiet and very long lasting. It weighs almost 500 pounds. It was originally introduced about 1920. We also have two 120 vac versions of that generator that run at 1200 rpm but are very seldom used. I don’t think there was a quieter, more dependable or well made gasoline generator ever made.

We also have a “screaming demon” 1980 Kohler portable model 5mm65, 5kw @ 3600 rpm that we purchased new in 1980. It has about 2500 hours on it. Maintenance required has been to replace the balance gears once and update to the improved but expensive new design voltage regulator. Overall, it’s been a very dependable gasoline generator if you don’t mind the noise.

Wow, another antique Kohler guy! I have kicking around somewhere a 20s vintage 1500 watt 120 VDC Kohler. I was in daily seasonal service for more than 50 years, before it was retired, still running great! It was hard wired into an multiple building grid that ran 120 vac during the day, but at 10 pm the big genny was shut down, and th Kohler fired up for a bit. It was an auto start, the cooks could turn on a light a 4:30 am and have lights. The trouble was if anybody left an AC device plugged in at 10 pm!

Tony