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pto driven generator questions

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Topic: pto driven generator questions

Posted By: JM
Subject: pto driven generator questions
Date Posted: 23 Oct 2011 at 7:12pm

Does anyone here use one of these? I am thinking of getting some kind generator back up this year. A friend of mine has one he uses on a ford 4000, he ran his small business shop last year when the ice storm hit. He said that ford used a whole lot of gas in a short time. I thought about getting a 8 or 10 k and running it on the "C". How do you think the C would do on fuel? We want enough power to keep the frdge and well pump running, wouldnt have the whole house lit up like normal. Also thought about a 6k aircooled diesel portable, I have heard they use about half the fuel of a gas unit. Would like to have generator wired directly to the barn breaker box and back feed the house. What do you guys use? Suggestions? Thanks,JM.

Replies:

Posted By: Dakota Dave
Date Posted: 23 Oct 2011 at 7:28pm

I used a Coleman 6K portable. uses 5 gal gas in 12 hours. in 1997 We were without power for 8 Days. I siphoned the gas out of the Corvette. dumptruck and one tractor to keep it running. Have a disconnect at the power pole and its in the barn so I back feed to house from the barn throught the generator disconnect. its manual start but it has worked well the few times I've needed it. I make sure fil it with fresh fuel and stablizer and run it every spring and fall. just put the fuel from it in the tractor.

Posted By: Bob-Maine
Date Posted: 23 Oct 2011 at 8:03pm

We had an ice storm here about 12 years ago that wiped out power for many days. I had bought a DeVilbiss 6250 watt (5000 watt continuous) 10 hp generator from Harbor Freight about one month prior (timing :>) )We used it to run the submersible pump (240 v), the furnace (120 v) and a quad receptical in the cellar that we run extension cords from. We have twist lock plugs that isolate the furnace and pump circuits from commercial power. This generator carries the above load, including a refrigerator, freezer and some lights with no problem. It takes about five gallons of gas per day, and we don't run it at night. We loose power fairly often so it gets exercise. A rig like this can be bought for about $500 - 600. Your C would use a lot more gas. Just my $0.02 worth Bob@allisdowneast

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I used to think I was indecisive, but now I'm not sure.

Posted By: Dave King
Date Posted: 23 Oct 2011 at 8:04pm

My dad got a tri-fuel genrac after our 2006 ice storm, but we haven't had to use it yet, but the propane never goes stale in the tank or carb. We've got a double throw disconnect for each house at the meter pole that way we can throw 2 levers and have both houses connected to the generator. I would highly recommend the double throw disconnect, but they aren't cheap. My uncle has a 18kw pto generator he runs with his AA 5670. Back in '06 he ran his house, my grandma's house and the well with no problems at about 1.7 gallons per hour.

Posted By: Gerald J.
Date Posted: 23 Oct 2011 at 8:14pm

You need the transfer switch at the pole or main panel, else its not always safe for your generator and for linemen working on the lines. You never want to feed the power line because it fries linemen and their widows don't appreciate that and trying to supply the neighbors overloads and fries your generator.

These described setups don't meet safety codes without the interlocked transfer switches. Backfeeding often also involves cables with double male plugs that expose 240 volts to those handling the cables which can be deadly without lots of care. While YOU understand, does your wife, your kids, or a helpful neighbor UNDERSTAND the pprecautions required?

Gerald J.

Posted By: Russ SCPA
Date Posted: 23 Oct 2011 at 8:21pm

I have a 30KW and a 16 KW, I would not want less than 10 KW for a house, the reserve is well worth the slight extra cost, an AC C should run 15-16 KW, but would have it's hands full. Normally run the 16 KW on my 175 Allis and the 30 KW on a 6265 DA. Oh yeah, it does not take long to figure out the electric company's bill isn't really all that bad.

Posted By: Butch(OH)
Date Posted: 23 Oct 2011 at 8:28pm

To each his own but Im not sure why you need 10K to run what you listed? I built this 5K surge/3 k continuous unit with help found at several forums that deal with such. The engine is a clone of a Lister diesel . Head is a Chinese ST type (no electronics) We did a test and running the same things you listed and a few rooms lighted up it burns less than a quart per hour. In a pinch you can fuel it with used motor oil, fryer oil etc. The big flywheels help the engine start the well pump with ease. Kinda pleasent to listen to at 625 RPM as compared to a screamer 3600 RPM job. I have right at 3K in what your looking at here. Had so much fun with it I built another one witha 12K head and larger diesel for times when it would be nice to live like the grid is back on. sorry about the vid, was intended to show the good balance of the engine but you will get the idea. As stated make sure your feed breaker is interlocked or go with the double throw.

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Posted By: JM
Date Posted: 23 Oct 2011 at 8:42pm

I would love to build a lister generator, but the epa has outlawed them from being brought in to the country. I have thought about getting a small 2 cylinder kubota diesel and building something similar to what you did. Thanks for all your suggestions. JM.

Posted By: Butch(OH)
Date Posted: 23 Oct 2011 at 8:51pm

6 and 8 HP singles and 16HP twin engines are available. Central Ohio or Mid country pick up points or truck freight. PM or Email for details

Posted By: Stan IL&TN
Date Posted: 23 Oct 2011 at 9:03pm

I've got a Generac 7K portable with electric start. Burns about .75 gallon an hour. It will run two refrigerators, microwave, TV, ceiling fans and all the lights. I've had to use it three times in past 10 years and each time has been warm weather but it's not big enough to run the central air. Is big enough to run the furnace if needed. I always keep three 5 gallon cans filled just in case and cycle through that on a regular basis using it for the mowers and the scooter. Best $1K I ever spent.

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1957 WD45 dad's first AC

1968 one-seventy

1956 F40 Ferguson

Posted By: Brian Jasper co. Ia
Date Posted: 23 Oct 2011 at 10:56pm

Gearld is right about the code. I do the backfeed thing too. I have a shutoff on the meter pole and feed from a welder outlet in the shed. Is it kosher? No, but it does work. Wife knows how to safely shut it off.

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"Any man who thinks he can be happy and prosperous by letting the government take care of him better take a closer look at the American Indian." Henry Ford