Low cost portable diesel generators

[HTRN]

Just looked online, and in the Northeast, Jet-A is running $3.97 on average.

Diesel in NJ yesterday was 2.11ish, so #2 heating oil is probably about $1.75/gallon.

He did bring up a valuable point about injection pumps - many are internally lubricated - the pumps use the fuel to lube them. That means running most stuff other than diesel is a nono. Now an external lube pump - that can run Kerosene, #2 heating oil(which is basically diesel these days), basically all jet fuels, both Civilian and Military, WVO, Biodiesel, etc..


HTRN

[blackeagle603]

Interesting fellow if you follow his threads far enough at one point you see a small hobby drag rail and in the more recent ones where they blueprint the newer 1 lung engines it's being done in an general av hanger.


Now here's what I'm talkin' about! NT/6 Wood Burning Turbine Stove/Generator

I'd love to set up something like that to charge a bank of storage batteries and run the house off an inverter. Could use it to charge an electric car as well (homebuilt of course).

[blackeagle603]

Actually (practically) I'm thinking more along these lines. Driving a genset with woodgas generated from scrap wood, wood chips etc... link

[Termite]

He did bring up a valuable point about injection pumps - many are internally lubricated - the pumps use the fuel to lube them. That means running most stuff other than diesel is a nono. Now an external lube pump - that can run Kerosene, #2 heating oil(which is basically diesel these days), basically all jet fuels, both Civilian and Military, WVO, Biodiesel, etc..
HTRN

Adding to 3-5 gals of biodiesel to every 100 gals of kerosene or Jet A will solve the pump lubrication issue. You can also add Type F auto-transmission fluid to kerosene. My father did this way back when I was a kid, after someone gave him several drums of kerosene to use in his tractor.

[postmanone]

I want to become as energy independent as I can get, but cost factors need to be considered. The new homes that are the result of Brad Pitt and a unusual architect created homes in New Orleans that will survive a major storm. The home has enough solar panels for 70% of the home's energy needs. But this was done from the ground up.
I would like to set up enough solar panels for 50% of the homes energy needs. I think if something hits the fan, you are going to conserve. Also, components for off the grid type living need to be included like a freezer like this unit;http://partsonsale.com/sundanzer.html.
I would add a bank of batteries for storage of power.
To capture the wind, I like the Delta II
"A few more neat things about these vertical turbines: They take up very little space, they’re virtually silent, and multiple units can be placed within feet of one another. Delta II units can also be stacked vertically up to 50 kW. We wouldn’t be surprised to see quite a few of these 9-ft., 500-lb. turbines lining the upstairs of the Green Garage very soon. For a full breakdown on wind energy technology in America.-- http://www.popularmechanics.com/automot ... 16780.html

[HTRN]

I'm really wondering what the efficiency would be for wood gassification vs. either a steam turbine, or a multi-stage steam engine with thermoelectric waste heat recovery.

Well, apparently gassification is common in electrical generation - only it's coal, instead of wood, with the resulting gas fed to gas turbine driving a generator.


HTRN

[Precision]

Just got the Northern Tool mega catalog the other day.

no name diesel 6500w generator
comes with pnuematic tire portability kit
10 HP 4 stroke air cooled
pull start
41 amps at 120V
20 amps at 240V
1 12 V outlet at 8.3 amps
4 gallon tank at half load runs +/- 9.5 hours
318 lbs
$1350

Other no name diesel 6500W generator
comes with 4 castors and fully enclosed body
10 HP electric start
41 amps at 120V
20 amps at 240V
1 12 V outlet at 8.3 amps
4 gallon tank at half load runs up to 11 hours or 8 hours full load
377lbs
$1400

Yanmar powered Diesel 6500W generator
10 HP electric start
51 amps at 120V
25.5 amps at 240V
13 hours per tank @ half load (tank size not listed but it looks like a 6.5G)
battery and wheel kit separate
320 lbs
$3450

Now is a Yanmar worth almost TRIPLE the other two???

[McClarkus]

I also need to get a set up for the house electrical. I got to thinking that I already had a diesel engine in my Kioti 25hp tractor. I use the 5' brush hog to mow the range and pulverize cactus, the box blade for the driveway, the tail blade for snow and the loader bucket for everything else. What I wasn't using, 'cept for the mower, was the power take off shaft. I have done very little research but I do know they make generators that hook up to the 3 point hitch and run off the PTO shaft. You could get a bigger generator for less money because there is no need for another engine. Just use the tractor to move it, and let it idle to power it. The kicker is - do you have, need or want a diesel tractor that could be used for that? It didn't sound to me like you were considering burying 2 - 500 gal propane tanks with a shovel and pick............. My own generator plans will have to wait a little while for funding or I'll just put it on my "PL" list (post lottery). You 'ought to see it - it's a big honkin list.

[Aglifter]

Now is a Yanmar worth almost TRIPLE the other two???

Yes. If you've ever tried to use a no-name, probably Chinese, diesel generator, you'll soon understand why...

[Baja boy]

I am completely solar powered in our Baja home ---use yanmar powered generator when Daughter and wifie show up with their hairdryers, curlers and such --

By Precision
Now is a Yanmar worth almost TRIPLE the other two???

Yep, you only get what you pay for !!!