Micro CoGen.

Thanks folks for your help.  I made a post on the Lister Engine Forum the other night and got attacked by a bunch of people including a "moderator".  I am going to go back to occaisionally checking in to these sites and see if I can learn something.  You folks have been most helpful.  If there is a way to scrub my posts please do so.  My equipment is pretty much up and running and I will enjoy it now.  The diesel engines that I own are just tools.  If I get the chance to help any people getting on board with them I certainly will but they will have to be geographically close.  Cheers to you all.

Understood.  Thank you Mobil Bob.  I need pictures.  I am not a visionary.  I'm fairly strong in some areas but as far as these power generating units I am a grasshopper and count on you guys.    This works for me.  It just hurts to not use one of the ports on my blockoff plate for the return.  It looks sooo cool.  Good news is  I have huge amounts of steel and brass as well as copper fittings to make up the system. 

dmarkh;
     Thank you my friend for the info and photos.  I will knock off your system as far as return to the drain port.  I still have not picked up the fan sensor but will do so shortly.  Been really busy for a few days but will get back on track.  I truly appreciate your taking the time to share your knowledge on this project.  Ateve

Hi Mobil Bob;
     My Subaru radiator has approx 13/8 hoses and the Bosch electric pump is slightly less than 1 in. o.d.  should I bush down to pump and back up on return and expect the pump to do a good job?  I saw where you mentioned taking the return to engine and dumping it into the hole for drain petcock by flywheel.  Was that your entire return?  Since I have an utterpower blockoff plate should I simply pipe out of that and back into it with a dip tube on the return?  I think I will set up a little later on for a fuel shufoff attached to a temp sensor.  I'm hoping a simple loop from the blockoff plate out to radiator and back to other fitting of blockoff plate will cool properly with the fan operational and a t-stat in place.  Thank You!

Dmarkh;
     Thank you for all of your information.  I got a new pump ordered and it is on the way.  I'm hoping I don't have to block off my radiator to keep temps up but I guess it is better than overheating.  btw-- I live in an area where we lose power a lot and still my lister has only 450 or so hours after 8 years.  I see that my radiator cap is 16 lbs. so I will have to find a 7 lb. cap that will work.  I will run it for a bit and at the same time try and use my banjo fittings from Geo. B. to set up low oi shutoff. 

     Just recieved notice from amazon that my bosch water pump could not be shipped.  It was 58 dollars.  I bet I will now have to pay more. 

dmarkh;
     Thank you for the info.  I just ordered the same Bosch pump from Amazon the other day but had no idea about the fan control.  That is a big help since I had no idea that there were adjustable controls available.  Your temp settings seem to correspond with what Mobil Bob states.  I will set up at 215-205 as you guys say.  Very soon now I will be generating power with it instead of running it in front of my shop just to listen and watch it turn.  Thanks again.

Hi glort;
     Thanks for your response.  I'll be up and running and pull my Listeroid in the next week or so to install the   Changfa.   I'm not an innovator.  I learn from others and forge ahead.  My Changfa 195 runs like a top and I can't wait to produce power with it.  I'm getting old enough that I probably won't see a shtf situation.  I may not even move to an off grid location.  I just like to produce power when the grid is down, which it is here often.  My biggest problem is reading from archives.  I can't seem to do that  If I could, I wouldn't have to ask stupid questions on line.   What I do learn, I will freely share with anyone who asks.  Will still try to post pictures when I get up and going.  Cheers

      :)Sorry to keep chiming in about cooling of Changfa.  I'll figure it out.  I don't know how to delete my posts on the web site or I would.  Wouldn't ask all of my dumb questions but I try to avoid painful mistakes.  I'm inches from being up and going and will check in to see what you folks are up to.  Best to you all.

 Hello;
     I apologize for dropping in every year or so and then disappearing but I have way too many irons in the fire and from time to time have to go get surgically adjusted.  About a year ago I asked for, and recieved a bunch of info on Changfa cooling.  I have a lot of projects and am a bit ADD.  Ok, maybe more than a bit.  Anyway, between old cars, old tractors, motorcycles and a pretty large place to take care of, I drift a bit.  Mobil bob and others were kind enough to pitch in with cooling info on my Changfa brand 195.  My Listeroid 6/1 is still holding down the fort for our backup power and doing a fine job. 
     My Changfa is mounted on a heavy I-beam base and direct coupled to a 10 kw st generator.  I have mounted a gm alternator via serpentine 36in. belt running around the lovejoy type coupling.  Blockoff plate was in place but I re-installed the hopper the other day and engine fired on a couple of revs of starter.  After reading what Mobil Bob had to say, I finally got around to picking up a radiator from a Subaru with dual fans.  I figure to only wire one into the mix and will have to find a temp sensor to activate.  Suggestions welcome.  Is it possible to cool with only the fans and radiator or wiser to install electric water pump?  If water pump, should it be set up on sensor to not pump till up to temp? I have one of George B's block off plates with t-stat.  My concern is over complicating setup.  I intend to forge on with this over the next few weeks and get up and going.  I will try to get pictures and post.  I'm not going to wow anyone with them but at least show that I am real.  My generator shed is concrete floor about 60 feet from house with exhaust going out back side into forest.  No neighbors to worry about as far as noise.  I'm finding that my engine noise is mostly mechanical and a bit of intake.  The least of it is through the stock can muffler, though I will install a much larger one. 
     On the positive side of things, I am seeing the gas pump prices running a bit and I bet interest is about to return to water cooled diesel generators.  Also, do you all think it is best to attach my radiator to the skid I built for my changfa, or remote mount it on the wall of shed?  Oh wait, I seem to be jumping around a bit!  Thanks, and I will look forward to any and all responses.

Gadzooks Mobil Bob!  I have seen time machines that were less involved!  I stared at my laptop for a full 30 seconds before i turned it sideways to orient it.  I will need a day or two to digest this.  Seriously, I was amazed at the stuff you have incorporated into this machine.  I would love to see some other photos as you get a chance to post them. 
     I am dying to get my changfa set up to replace my Listeroid this spring.  I am a believer that you are the go to guy on pressurized cooling for maximum output and I will start my quest for radiator, pump and sensors/switches.  Thanks for your help and I am truly awed by your setup.  Stevem

Thanks All for the responses.  I will monitor the computer for any further posts on cooling ideas etc.  Mobil Bob, I think you work a little bit beyond my pay grade as far as accessories for the Changfa's  but I can sure learn a lot from your endeavors.  I intend to take my Listeroid out of service and run the Changfa for our backup in the next month or so.  Had I only built my slab and generator shed a few feet larger I could have both in and operating as backups for each other.  Thank you all again and I will continue to learn to negotiate my way around the archives so I don't have to ask so many questions.

Hello;
      Mr. question here.  I drop in here from time to time and always enjoy reading about the projects of others.  In 2007 or so a friend of mine introduced me to Listeroids and I purchased one from Joel Koch in Portland Oregon.  Very nice and knowledgeable fellow.  As it turned out he did not have a crank handle for the listeroid so he said if you don't mind hunting one up I will give you this other engine.  I cleverly said "ok" and left with I believe a new Fuzhou Golden Flying Fish 175 air cooled diesel.  I have started it a few times and it runs sweetly. 
     My question is, what is the best use for such an engine?  I have some other diesel gensets both lister and changfa.  Any suggestions?  I''m retired and have too many projects to complete but am ok with starting another if need be.  Is there some really neat use for these that I might pursue?  I think according to the manual this engine is rated 3.68 KW.  Your thoughts appreciated.    Stevem

Hi folks;
     I am posting this in hopes that someone might post photos of a changfa with a pressurized cooling system with pump, remote radiator fan, and battery charging capability.  Am not sure how one can power an alternator when the St head is direct coupled.  I freely admit that I am much more of a follower than an innovator on such things.  I try looking around in archives but don't have a lot of luck.  Thanks in advance.  Stevem

Mobil Bob;
     Thank you for your wealth of info  I am all ears about radiator and pump.  I am direct driving my changfa and am wondering how you go about getting your dc voltage for pump and fan.  Is it somehow belt driven with battery?  A picture sure would be nice.  Thanks