Build my own portable generator

[JVackiner]

Hey all! I have a Briggs and Stratton Vanguard 3 cyl liquid cooled turbo diesel engine (31 gross hp and 25 continuous hp) built by Daihatsu that I would like to have power a portable generator. Any one know of any issues (good or bad) with this engine or maker? I am thinking of mating it with a generator of 10 - 15kw. Anyone build their own and have opinions on whether to make it belt or direct drive? I am sure I will have to come up with a really good vibration dampening system. I will use it for power outages and to run welder, air compressor or whatever I need out of my shop. Any good companies to get components from. Any and all ideas will be appreciated.

 

[B.G. Smith]

Operating range (rpm) of the engine will determine if you can drive direct. If it runs 1800 or 3600 I know you can buy gen. to operate at that speed, I believe I have seen one that was to be driven off the power takeoff on a tractor that operated at 1400. Northern Tool sells some generators and I believe Tractor Supply has them. bg

 

[JVackiner]

HP numbers are rated at 3600rpm. I am thumbing through a Northern catalogue right now!

 

[The patriot]

I've seen 10KW generator heads at harbor freight for $299.

I know... I know... Chinese metalurgy/technology, but $299 is an awful attractive price.

If you made it belt drive the RPM (at the generator head)could be determined by your pullies.

I've given this a lot of thought too.

If you go direct drive, you'll have to figure out which bellhousing your engine uses, unless it already has it.

You might be best off to find a gen set with a burnt engine say ob ebat and go from there.

The possabilities are endless... ... . :-laf

 

[JVackiner]

Northern wants $699 for their 10kw. I have a good history with them although the $299 is tempting. Never thought of finding one with a bad engine. Good ideas guys, thanks and keep 'em coming! Oo.

 

[PToombs]

Check out Surplus Center, lots of neat stuff there!

 

[rbattelle]

How do you plan to control the engine?

If you're just going to use the WOT governor, then the answer as to direct drive or belt drive is answered for you (by the existing WOT governed RPM).

If you plan to implement a different control of your own, then you have the ability to choose engine RPM, and then implement a belt drive or direct drive as necessary.

Seems to me the lower RPM you run the engine, the better. If it were me, I'd want to control the engine to operate right at the WOT maximum load RPM all the time. Then use a belt drive to power the generator. Briggs should be able to tell you what the max-load WOT RPM is for that engine.

Ryan

 

[Dieselnut59]

Stay away from Harbor Freight. CHEAP priced CHEAP junk there. Northern has a great reputation. I would suggest them or find a military unit. You can also check the surplus/auction sources others have mentioned.

My Miller welder/generator is 10,500 watts with a 19 horsepower @ 3600 rpm Kubota engine. You may be able to get a little more out of your larger engine.

 

[nickleinonen]

on a generator there isn't much need for engine speed controls. all you need is 2 really. one for what the engine idles at when you first start it up, and the other is what ever speed you need to turn it at to maintain 60Hz coming out of the generator.

if the engine is rated for 3600rpm and makes its power that high, i don't recommend getting a lower speed generator [1800rpm]. . you will just bog it down under load unless you get an undersized generator

 

[rbattelle]

on a generator there isn't much need for engine speed controls. all you need is 2 really. one for what the engine idles at when you first start it up, and the other is what ever speed you need to turn it at to maintain 60Hz coming out of the generator.

That's what I mean - you need a mechanism to control throttle to maintain speed independent of load.



Ryan

 

[JVackiner]

Briggs rates max power at 3600 rpm so figure that is what I will be running at. I want to put a digital tach on it and maybe a cable throttle (something like you see on a truck that controls engine speed to control PTO or hyd pump). The engine came off of a gov aution and is incomplete. I am looking for muffler, air intake/filter and hoses, brackets, etc to mount and connect radiator to engine. The prices from Briggs is scary so will try to manufacture as many parts as I can. Thanks for the ideas guys, I appreciate them and keep 'em coming!



I have ordered from Surplus Center before and got along well with them, I rate them up there with Northern.