Micro CoGen.

So I picked up two of these units many years ago. Apparently they're from a telecom unit that had two running together in parallel for 400a @ 48v hooked up to a NG engine. Not sure if it was spec's at 1800 rpm or 3600 rpm. There is some information on the Micro Go gen forum but the site seems to be down. At least you can't get into any sub forms.

Anyway apparently these are rated for 48v @ 200a each. I'm really just in the testing phase but I haven't a clue as to how to wire these up and there is ZERO information about them online. I gather as most units like these utilize 3 phase AC output, my intention is to rectify the output to DC and run that into a charge controller/inverter.  Any help would be appreciated.

I posted this on the lister forum as well, as this forum wouldn't let me get into any of the sub forums for some reason. It now seems to be working.

Thank you.

I originally started this discussion  http://www.microcogen.info/index.php?topic=3573.0 as a alternator question and it morphed into this so I thought I would restart it here:

Looking to build a battery backup system for the house during power outages. Basically to run items during the night to avoid running the generator for long periods.

I'm certainly new at this so for those of you that have knowledge please chime in.

I'm looking to run average 300w for 6 hours for a total of 1800 w/h

So 4 golf cart batteries in series for 24v@225ah should suffice and keep me within 50% discharge.

Debating on wether to install solar right off or wait. Leaning towards initially.

System components I'm considering buying:

Intverter: Cotek ST2500-124 https://www.invertersupply.com/media/data/ST2500.pdf  Originally planned to buy the 1500/ 2000w 24v version but this line is being discontinued and can purchase the 2500w version for a significant discount @ $600
             This inverter has a built in 30a transfer switch. I can supply electricity from either the grid or from my generator in the event of a power failure and when turned off with automatically switch to battery backup. Manual is here:
              https://www.invertersupply.com/media/data/ST%20SERIES_Manual.pdf

Batteries: 4 interstate 6v 225ah GC2 batteries ~ $350

Solar Charge controller: TS-MPPT-60 Probably overkill but can be re-purposed into a larger system down the road if desired plus I can also use this as a charge controller from a currently owned 48v 1000w power supply. $600

Panels at a total loss as to what is best looks like with one controller and 24v was looking at 4 of these https://www.ebay.com/itm/4PCS-S-ENERGY-300W-MONO-BLACK-FRAME-SOLAR-PANELS/253190891576?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649 at about $1200 to my door.

My battery bank should be charged at around a C/8 from what I have read for FLA. 225/8= 30 amps I figured 4 panels would give me fudge factor and setting two due south and perhaps one SE and the SW. Just a thought...

Total cost ~ $ 2750 plus $250 for odds and ends... ~3k

I'm certainly not doing this for an economical standpoint. More as a learning/hobby standpoint. From a simple dollar cents perspective it's certainly not a wise investment.

Have several generators but am looking at a small Champion 2800/3100 inverter generator as the primary companion to this system. Already purchased.

Later down the road if my wife and I decide to get a camper we can adapt parts of this system into that. Sort of dual purpose.

-RJ

My son (6) and I recently rebuilt a small old cast iron BS engine. (Max rated rpm is ~2800 IIRC)  He wants to do "something" with it. So I thought we would build a small 12v battery charger.

Looking for a small(ish) 1 wire alternator that has a low cut in speed. We'll use it to charge a small battery that is hooked to a perhaps (1500w?) inverter for a "proof of concept" project.

Picked up a 2500VA isolation transformer on freecycle that I was hoping I could use to convert 120v to 240v split phase. I have a 2800w/3100w inverter generator that I would like to use it with.

Legrand

Pri 230/400v
Sec 115v
Sec 230v

50/60 HZ

Will this work?

At this point, this project is at it's part collection/design stage. Any input on suggested parts are welcome. The plan behind this setup is to have a variable or at least a stepped speed generator that will also have reclaimed heat capture. At some point I may convert my home to off grid which is part of the reason I have decided to go with an alternator setup as opposed to a conventional 60hz AC generator. At 10kw split phase inverter will be used to convert the DC voltage to 60hz 240v AC. This unit can be used to charge a large battery bank in the future, although initial plans call for just a small storage battery bank to act as a small load buffer. The prime mover will be a Lister CE two cylinder diesel engine rated at 16hp at 1200 RPM. These engines run comfortably down to the 400 RPM range and utilize a fully pressurized gear driven lubrication scheme. The power curve seems to be pretty much linear. The alternator that has been selected, mostly based on availability is a military spec C.E. Niehoff 1602 alternator. A brushless alternator that is capable of 400a at 28v. Equating to about 11kw of output, more then my prime mover is capable of producing. This will allow a good safety factor.

At this point I'm going to begin the testing phase of the alternator. I'll drive it with a small 1/2hp electric motor via belts to get an idea of how it acts at different RPMS. 

Specs on the alternator are included below.









Below are a few more documents on the alternator. Pics of the unit will follow.

Is it me, or has the supply of 60hz PMG's vanished...


Tom doesn't seem to list them anymore. George... same story.

What's the scoop? Did they note live up to expectations?

Could be in the market for a smaller 3kw and larger 10kw unit....

As usual a google search brings up all sorts of vendors from china.

-Randy

What is there to know about the lister CE engines? Looking at a 14/2? How do these differ from the Lister CS engines such as the CS 12/2?

I always read about the lister CS series but not much about the CE series engines.

Thanks

Well work has started as I have dismantled my former generator setup which was a Kubota D905 direct coupled to a ST-12 head. When I built that unit it was on a trailer so I could move it around when building my house.



I have now direct coupled it to the same 7.8kw head that Henry had on his D1005. I just finished building the frame and should have it all painted and mounted up by this weekend. This unit will be semi-stationary. I can pick it up with the lift points with my tractor, so if I need to load it on a trailer for remote work it can be done, while in the shed it will be connected to my heating system.

Goals of the build:

• Prime power of about 6kw for the home
  
• Provide at least supplemental heat for the home during extended ice snow storms.
  
• utilize a marine engine heat exchanger to pull 20-40kbtu from the engine depending on load.
• eventually automate the system in the future.

I still have to secure a heat exchanger for both the HVAC duct work, and the engine itself. Looking for idea's. Also need to decide on a circ pump, will this closed loop need an expansion bladder? Plan is to use RV glycol in the loop as parts of it will be exposed to zub zero temps.

This is the basic gist of the setup in a diagram.

Hello, I hope Deutz talk is okay in this forum  . I originally purchased this engine to couple with a 1800 rpm Stamford Generator head when I lived in South Carolina when everything I had was electric, heat pumps, backup 10kw electric heat element etc.... (cheap southern electricity)

Have since moved back up north (Vermont) and have mostly gas appliances now with oil heat. The engine is now more then I think I need, I was thinking of slowing the engine down to 1200 RPM and mating it was a smaller 12kw or so 1200 rpm head. Would there be any issues running this engine at this peed? Here is a link to a gen set with the same engine, a page or two down there are pretty good specs on the engine, fuel consumption etc... http://www.generatorjoe.net/html/broad/BCIX-021D103.pdf
Here is the unit:
















SAE 5 housing. I don't have a pic of the generator I have but I'm sure you can imagine it

-RJ