Florida - Hurricane Season 2010 - bring it on

[Horsepoor]

With the help of my friends here West Palm Beach and on the forum, I've just about finished my portable Metro 6/1 listeroid based generator. The 6/1 is running at 740 rpm with a 7.5 KW ST generator head. The gen head is over kill but at a maximum load of 4,500 watts starting well pumps and AC units, it runs cool. The system runs under clear smoke at 4,000 watts at what I estimate is the useful maximum sustained power. It runs effortlessly at 3,300 watts which seems to be in the range of my night time load with an upstairs 2 1/2 ton AC system on, night time lighting, 2 refrigerators and one chest freezer. I have a 16/2 GTC twin for heavier loads, more on this later on. So with some help from Rocketboy here are some video shots.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToXLQTXQ3qI

Got the Murphy Switchgage over temperature auto shutdown solenoid working very well. The larger solenoid will pull the rack closed from any position and hold with a 1 amp current draw.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZcW467k6Go&feature=channel

To move this 6 hp - 2000 lb generator around, I added a 12 volt winch purchased from Harbor Freight and tool ($49) on sale. Works well and allows me to load the unit onto a 16 foot utility trailer so I can move it to the homes of relatives, if needed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3H8pH_lwgfw&feature=channel

I've got my main generator shed up and running pretty well. The same Murphy over temperature emergency shut down system has been installed and it works very well. This is a GTC (Power-anand) 16/2 running at 800 rpm with a Georgia Generator ST 15 Kw gen head. Under maximum load I get 11,200 watts and can sustain 10,000 watts. I need this much power for all the AC units, well pumps (Horses), lights, laundry, hot water, etc. During hurricanes activation, I have to work 12 hour shifts which are really 14+ hour shifts. It's nice to come home to a cool house, clean sheets, cold beverages, and a hot shower. This Power-anand has been a God send: 2005 - no landline power for 21 days during the first hurricane, then no land line power for 14 days on the second. Because I live in an equestrian area, we are last to receive power restoration. Here is a quick video of my 16/2 with it's new electric start and an emergency over temperature shut down.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HYakTZnypA&feature=channel

I've really enjoyed building these engines out, I appreicate all the help I've received from forum members.

Bruce

[Henry W]

Bruce you might get a chance to use it this year. They expect an active year for hurricanes on the east coast.

Henry

[veggie]

Bruce,

That's a very nice system that you built there. Congratulations!
The video did not show the compression release very well.
Do you have a solenoid on it ? or is the engine always in "compression" mode.?

veggie

[oliver90owner]

2 points.

It is no longer a '6/1' if running at 740 rpm.  6/1s were at a rated speed of 650rpm!

The flywheel maximum working rating is being exceeded by 30% by running at 740rpm.  With Indian spoked flywheels, I would not recommend that for all!  It should still be within safe limits, but......

Regards, RAB

[Horsepoor]

The insulation is kevlar salvaged from an out of business aircraft company. This stuff is very expensive if purchased but fortunately this was found in the trash. I'm told this stuff is used in aircraft to insulate for fire / excessive heat, compliments of Cujet (Chris)

As for the solenoid, yes, you are correct. If I were to do it over again I might use a very heavy duty spring and let the solenoid cock it with up to 30 lbs pulling force. Perhaps I'll redesign it so the solenoid pulls a pin and releases a pin to pull the rack closed. Good point, thank you, absolutely correct, I need to think about this.

The compression level is manually activated under normal conditions, but the starter will pull it through the compression stroke if it gets just a little running start. Incidentally, I thought I would never own an electric starter setup, then I lost power in Jan 2010. Florida received a sever cold snap, the rural area I live in lost power due to a major transformer going out, power projected to be out for 10 to 12 hours, so I figured I just go out and hand crank over my twin in 34 degrees. I learned very fast what I've been reading about on the forum. I'm a big guy, 6'-1", 280 lbs, busted my ass but couldnt turn it over fast enough to start. I ended up burning a charcoal barque brickete under the engine to heat the crank case just enough for my wimpy ass to tun it over just fast enough to start. I've total come to repect what I've read about cold weather starting, glad to have electric start systems so I can start either engine under any conditions, should have done this from the very beginning.

[rcavictim]

Very sweet setups there Bruce!  You are getting a great deal of power from an oversped 6/1.  I would also be worried as is oliver90owner about overspeeding an Indian flywheel.  How does it fit according to the 60 MPH max rim speed rule?  If it passes that rule of thumb you should be OK.