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Generator Installation

Lextreme

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I just got a generator head to be install into my engine for the M109. Anyone have info on this? I got a 5000 watt which is plenty for my box with AC. This is a belt driven generator power by the truck engine.
 

brianrbull

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Do you have any more information... IE Make, Model , Ect..... How do you adjust the frequency?. do you plan on being able to run the Gen while running down the road?....
 

Lextreme

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I have been doing a lot of research and the box only take 4 wire type of power input. It needs a ground wire along with a Neutral wire plus the two hot wires. Very few generator head have 4 wire 240V output unless you want 10k watt. I want to have AC power while driving so my kids and wife can turn on the AC. If I am at a camp site, I will fire up the portable generator.
 

Carl_in_NH

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If this setup is what I think it is, you're only going to get 60 Hz at one fixed engine speed, which is not typically how one drives. What are you planning on powering with this unit?
 

zout

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Yeah - kinda what everyone else said - shoot some pics and get em on here for us to gander at and make sure you do not fry yourself - or get less than what your thinkin.
 

zout

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Here is the pic here of what he has to save yall some time - I gotta do some thinkin - WOW - I had to come back and edit - I am really thinkin this baby is going to pull some HP to run it.
 

Attachments

M1031CMT

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You don't "need" 240v in the box unless you are running 240v accessories back there. I have 120v run back there with all the original wiring in place. Unless you have modified something back there, or there was a special setup, everything in the back runs on regular 120v.

Not sure you will have room in the engine bay to fit that thing. Looks pretty big. And like Carl stated, these things are not made to be hooked up to an engine that is also being used to drive down the road. Especially with a deuce that has very little hp to start with.

Hope you didn't buy it before figuring out if it will work. But good luck. I hope you figure things out.
 

zout

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Lextreme - lets simplify this need.

1. What are you going to run with the gen
2. Are you planning on running those accessories while going down the road"
3. What is the most amperage you need at any given time ?
4. While parked - engine NOT running - what power demand will you need ?

good place to start.


Sent Ya a PM as well and the reason for asking
 
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Lextreme

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Lextreme - lets simplify this need.

1. What are you going to run with the gen
2. Are you planning on running those accessories while going down the road"
3. What is the most amperage you need at any given time ?
4. While parked - engine NOT running - what power demand will you need ?

good place to start.


Sent Ya a PM as well and the reason for asking
Yes purchased. The reason why I want to stay with 240 is because I have a Miltric DeContractor setup already and the whole box is from that source.

1. I would like mainly run the AC but dont want to deal with swapping plugs.
2. Yes...
3. Should be around 30 at idle
4. When park, I will unplug the engine generator and plug in the portable generator.
 

zout

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For an RV roof ac unit you need at least a 20 amp circuit which is by itself. Ours is a rv system at 35,000 btu. You can frost the windows inside if you wish.

I just see huge power drains running this from the engine.

You mentioned you have an external generator - what is that rated at.

I keep editing my posts - what is the amperage of the ac unit you have ??
 

Lextreme

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LOL.... I think it takes 10 hp to run it. My external is only 3200 from HBF cheap with coupon. I also have a 240V electric stove too. I am running 50 amps from home power ATM.
 

Carl_in_NH

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Your AC output frequency is going to vary widely with this configuration as you drive, and I don't think the motors in your air conditioning unit are going to be happy for very long using the proposed system. I think it would be wise to consider another way of accomplishing your goals.
 

Lextreme

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Your AC output frequency is going to vary widely with this configuration as you drive, and I don't think the motors in your air conditioning unit are going to be happy for very long using the proposed system. I think it would be wise to consider another way of accomplishing your goals.
That is correct. Most likely I will do 1:1 ratio because I dont really need 5k watts. AC require about 1.6KW/H. I can always lower the generator pulley to increase watts. Make it safe first.... Dont want to over load the system.
 

Carl_in_NH

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Wilton NH
That is correct. Most likely I will do 1:1 ratio because I dont really need 5k watts. AC require about 1.6KW/H. I can always lower the generator pulley to increase watts. Make it safe first.... Dont want to over load the system.

If I understand correctly, you're thinking about changing the pulley size (and therefore speed of rotation of the generator head) to alter your power output level. No, that's not how it works; speed of rotation is linked to frequency output, which you ideally want to be 60 Hz at all times (something you can't obtain with this setup you're talking about if you're driving the truck, since the engine speed is variable).


Let's say you set things up so when the engine is turning 2000 RPM your generator is putting out 60 Hz. Life is good. Drop the engine to idle and you'll be putting out less than 30 Hz from your generator - something your air conditioner is going to be very unhappy with.

An AC output genset head isn't like a DC generator on a car, where slower rotation simply results in less output voltage - you want constant rotation speed at the proper RPM to maintain AC output frequency.


Like I said before, I think another approach is needed as this isn't likely to yield what you're looking for.
 

Lextreme

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Well.. that sucks.... What happen if my engine idle produce 60 hz (3600 rpm) and increasing the engine rpm would cause?
 
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Carl_in_NH

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At 120 Hz, the motors will run at twice their normal speed in the air conditioner - or perhaps I should say they will try to run at twice their normal speed. They won't last long - minutes if you're lucky. Either way, running a 60 Hz motor load at 2x or 0.5x the design frequency isn't going to result in everyone being happy.
 

Carl_in_NH

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Wilton NH
I should also mention that these RPM changes will also cause the output voltage to change as well from the generator head, but that's a 2nd-order problem; the output frequency is first and foremost fatal to the proposed implementation.
 
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