Lister Engine Forum
Slow Speed Diesel Engines => Other Slow Speed Diesels => Topic started by: rleonard on March 05, 2012, 03:00:14 AM
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This nice Ruston Hornsby 3CR Elevator engine was owned by Jim McIntyre in Indiana. He has moved on to other projects and the engine has landed at my shop.
(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x161/rleonard1/Ruston%20Hornsby/IMG_0349.jpg)
(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x161/rleonard1/Ruston%20Hornsby/IMG_3292.jpg)
(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x161/rleonard1/Ruston%20Hornsby/IMG_3293.jpg)
(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x161/rleonard1/Ruston%20Hornsby/IMG_3291.jpg)
And finally home, safe and sound
(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x161/rleonard1/Ruston%20Hornsby/IMG_3294.jpg)
Bob
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Looks great Bob
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Look'en good! ;) Thanks for the pics.
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Whats the rated HP/ rpm of that beauty, Bob? The size of those flywheels sure is impressive. I'm sure it will be gem when you're done with restoration.
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The CR, which is basically identical to the model 3XHR weighs about 3000 pounds, and is rated 17 HP at 370 rpm.
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370 rpm! That explains the giant flywheels. It must sound marvelous.
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I have run the engine for short times. Without a major foundation, it tends to move along. I am designing a steel base for the engine and generator similar to the others I've built. Now looking for the S15 X 50# I beams that are needed.
Bob
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With the Bamford project winding down it is time to direct attention to the Hornsby. The drive will be a M section poly-V belt over the flywheel to the generator head. With arrangement I can have a 7.2:1 speed increase in one stage and run the engine at 250 rpm.
Here is the pulley that I made and a Lister flywheel mounted on the generator shaft. The flywheel is probably 200 lbs and should help smooth out the power.
(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x161/rleonard1/Ruston%20Hornsby/photobucket-31350-1340529738057.jpg)
Craigslist score. A Milwaukee magnetic base drill. I need this for the framework.
(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x161/rleonard1/Ruston%20Hornsby/photobucket-54055-1340529681126.jpg)
Bob
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I use one of those drills at work Bob. Adjust the head on its base for maximum ridgidity...you will see what I mean.
I am getting my head around a cart for the CY. I have a matching set of heavy wagon wheels, 30 and 36 inch dia. Stub (well not so stub) schedule 80 axles welded into a channel and threaded on the end for a cap to hold the wheels on. Tapered bores in the hubs so I will make tapered bushings and weld them onto the pipe. Dado the underside of the timber to accept the channel and to disguise it and bolt the channel through the timber in 2 or 3 spots.
Plan on making my own fuel tank from a big pipe with the end caps being flame cut plate and welded on. I can get fancy with that because thats our work, CNC flame cutting. Maybe I will make them tall to gravity feed and just weld a tiny angle iron foot onto it to bolt onto the timber.
At least thats TODAYS idea... Maybe I'll make a steel frame ::) Good luck on your cart or skid. I 'aint doing anything yet 'cause you'll change my mind when I see yours. You putting the air tank on and going with the Carter rad ? The HR engines were tank cooled except in the elevators as per my email...did you get it ?
Sorry to hijack...wanted to stay on topic
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Here are some pictures of progress.
Here is the generator with the M6 poly V belt pulley and a Lister flywheel mounted to the pulley.
(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x161/rleonard1/Ruston%20Hornsby/photobucket-41924-1340529717376.jpg)
(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x161/rleonard1/Ruston%20Hornsby/photobucket-16113-1340848196243.jpg)
Ready to mount the shaft and bearings
(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x161/rleonard1/Ruston%20Hornsby/photobucket-42081-1340848311830.jpg)
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Assembly
(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x161/rleonard1/Ruston%20Hornsby/photobucket-37330-1340848334321.jpg)
The belt tensioner is not yet complete. I could only get the belt hand tight, but that will be fixed soon.
Here is a video clip of the first short test run.
(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x161/rleonard1/Ruston%20Hornsby/th_photobucket-33029-1340850319355.jpg) (http://s180.photobucket.com/albums/x161/rleonard1/Ruston%20Hornsby/?action=view¤t=photobucket-33029-1340850319355.mp4)
Bob
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Nice progress. Sounds like it is at your target rpm. Were you able to slow it the 100 rpm by means of the external governor adjustment only ? I see the umbilical cord, are you going to plumb in the receiver ? ( thats a heavy bugger itself huh)
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Bob, top notch work as usual. If you ever use that mag drill sideways make sure you use the chain!
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Very nice and quiet too. Load that baby up and let's see some smoke. :angel:
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I got the belt tensioner built. A simple jack screw to slide the generator base back.
Did a short test run and found that the belt chirp is the idler pulley. I have some belt dressing here somewhere and will try that. Could not find it yesterday. 104 in the afternoon so I retreated inside for the afternoon.
Generator works fine. Frequency holds within .25 hz but I have not placed a load on it.
Bob
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Bob, have you experimented with spring tensioning for that idler? Just some straight spray paint on the rubber will quiet that chirp.
dieselgman
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I was at the local farm supply picking up some hardware and belt dressing. At 104 outside these days it is just not enjoyable out in the shop. Even with the fans going. I do some early in the day then retreat to the basement shop mid day. Besides, I have some reloading to catch up on. Just finished up .40S&W and now catching up on .308's. I have the cases deprimed, cleaned, lubed, sized, and case trimmed. Almost ready to put them together.
Bob
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I'm with you Bob, temps have been above 110 here for a few afternoons in a row... siesta time!
dieselgman
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The Hornsby's have a lubricator similar to a Manzel unit to pump oil to the piston and connecting rod.
The original had ugly repair that had to go and it needed all new gaskets. I spent several hours overhauling, making the new gaskets, and transferring all the parts from the old housing to the replacement one that i had purchased a month or so ago. Happy to finally re install it. You can imagine my surprise when I filled the reservoir with oil, only to have it run through several holes in the casting. Several small ones and one large one. Completely undetectable by visual inspection, only with oil in it.
I said "Oh shucks" or something like that.
No good deed goes unpunished.
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This heat is really hurting productivity. 105 today and no end in sight. No rain either. Everything is burnt to a crisp. I heard that in southern Illinois, crops are being plowed under due to drought.
I do what I can in the morning and evening. Retreat to the basement shop mid day. That seems to work.
I think that I have solved three puzzles today. I'm letting myself feel good about that because surely another disaster is just around the corner.
First, the beam spacers. I put my main beams up on riser tubes for two reasons. One to get the unit up higher and second so I can easilly move this by forklift until it gets into a permanent location. One of those things where I knew better but went ahead anyway. When the engine was running it would flex the joint between the I beam and the riser tubes. Now with a plate and gusset welded and bolted in, that problem has gone away.
(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x161/rleonard1/Ruston%20Hornsby/photobucket-23033-1341537339673.jpg)
(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x161/rleonard1/Ruston%20Hornsby/photobucket-14756-1341537284492.jpg)
Second; Engine speed. It was necessary to replace the main governor spring to get the engine to run slower. The original is just under 4" long and has .091 wire. I found these 2" springs with .080 wire. Stacking them fit just right. I had planned for 1800 RPM on the generator head and a 250 RPM engine speed. Hit it close enough as measured by the digital tach.
(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x161/rleonard1/Ruston%20Hornsby/photobucket-6548-1341537168404.jpg)
(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x161/rleonard1/Ruston%20Hornsby/Untitled.jpg)
Finally I had a nice call from Paul (AKA Contracreek) today. We discussed the air tank for starting the engine and where to put it. It is an ugly heavy piece that has to be somewhere close. I think I have a solution and will play around with a simple design to see how it looks. Plan is to build a "water tower" looking structure, similar to this one;
(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x161/rleonard1/Oblong%202011%20Engine%20show%20-%20British%20Diesels/P1000613.jpg)
The tank will be in the bottom and the fuel tank will be on top. The heights work out just right too.
There is Doug behind that good looking guy (me) cleaning his hands. He is the friend that passed away last month. I miss my friend. Although he didn't do a lot in the shop, he was there. I assigned him to motivate me to get this stuff done. The Oblong show was a big deal to him and he really helped put our little display together.
Bob
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Here is the picture of the governor springs.
(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x161/rleonard1/Ruston%20Hornsby/photobucket-31005-1341537234558.jpg)
I was out of town this weekend to a wedding. I hope to get back on track tomorrow.
Temps have improved. The rain has passed north and south. We're still in trouble.
Bob
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There. Something like this;
(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x161/rleonard1/Ruston%20Hornsby/photobucket-11390-1341884893680.jpg)
(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x161/rleonard1/Ruston%20Hornsby/photobucket-68076-1341884870791.jpg)
I still have to sort out the top tank support. Maybe a ring around the top collar of the tank, but it would have to get over all the valve gear. Maybe straps around the tank and bolted to the uprights. Like many projects, I look in the steel pile and see what I have that will fit.
Bob
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I made up a stand for the radiator and finally got the cooling system hooked up. I ran the generator for several hours today on about 2 quarts of fuel. I still have not made any electrical tests. The generator may have a bad bearing that will need replaced.
Here is a clip taken this afternoon.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mx9epSUtq48&feature=plcp
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That is some SWEET music!
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I have lost some momentum here. I have been trying to get this rig ready for an unveiling at the Oblong show. If nothing changes, I'll miss that.
First it has been 100+ every day for about a month. The sun shines on the engine until about 4 pm and it gets too hot to work on or even touch . It is simply miserable to fight the heat. Big news today is that a cool wave will move through and it will drop about two degrees to the upper 90's We are well over 12" behind on rain. Everything is burnt up, The corn is dead, beans getting close. Many of the trees have blown off their leaves and it looks like late October. All short needle pines are dead. Mississippi river is just about closed to barge traffic due to low water levels. Those that move are only half full to decrease draft. Another thing about dry corn, the nitrate levels are too high for many uses. It becomes a disposal issue. Options being considered are even burning off the crops.
Most of the mechanical issues are resolved and it's tear down time. Paint was ordered today but I should take out the crank and flywheels, and probably the piston for painting. Big Doug often helped me with things like this but he is gone now. It would be great to have some help but I'll have to manage. Cleaning and prep for paint are big jobs, all outside in the direct sun.
I do what I can in the morning and evening.
Bob
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That perkins reefer room is sounding better and better huh!
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I am disassembling the engine for painting. The oiling ring fell apart in my hand as soon as I touched it.
Now I am looking for an oiling ring for a Mark CR.
Part numbers HR 126 and HR 127
Anyone have one?
Bob
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The rig is scattered in pieces. Frame and flywheels wearing a a gallon fresh coat of expensive paint. And I did not have enough black. I have Bronze Green for the engine and the rest.
I contacted Ray Hooley. Transfers coming. I also found a pin striper today. He is coming over tomorrow.
Ray looked up the info on this engine. It was shipped to Canada from the factory in Lincoln on 5/11/41. She is just over 71 years old!
(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x161/rleonard1/Ruston%20Hornsby/photobucket-55327-1343779639772.jpg)
(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x161/rleonard1/Ruston%20Hornsby/photobucket-1546-1343778446804.jpg)
(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x161/rleonard1/Ruston%20Hornsby/photobucket-5093-1343778503926.jpg)
(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x161/rleonard1/Ruston%20Hornsby/photobucket-1721-1343778560219.jpg)
Still trying to make the Oblong show with the rig. I have 10 days
Bob
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Everything that needed to be painted black is now painted.
Next I addressed a couple of safety issues. Fastening any pulley to a shaft requires a different device as the shaft size goes up. Such was the case of the idler shaft to the idler pulley. Set screws are not adequit. I selected and ordered a locking element, similar to a ringfeeder clamp. It required a large counterbore in the pulley. An hour on the lathe and it was good to go.
Next was the generator shaft and flywheel arrangement. I had to refit one hole to accomodate a locking bolt to retain the entire assembly in addition to the set screws and key. I would not want a 200lb spinning flywheel to venture off on it's own. Now that cannot happen.
Various parts are getting closer to green paint. Last and most difficult is the preparation of the main engine. It is all qued and ready to start in tomorrow. Sanding sanding sanding.
FInally I found a pinstripe guy. He came out and looked things over. He is willing to work with me to get this done next week. It will be close!
So, if anyone is not doing anything..... I have more sandpaper.
Bob
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You are a talented man Bob. I'm in awe!
Wish I was closer to ya. Id be there in a heartbeat. It was 117 today here in NW Oklahoma. It's just past 10:00pm and still 102. Yuck! Hard to get much done when it's this hot.
Be Safe,
OKFarmer
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60 degrees on the Yukon today, I don't envy you down there in that oppressive weather!
Kansas is also in drought...
dieselgman
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99 and 100 for the next couple of days. I start work early in the morning and retreat to cooler space mid day. The heat is good for accelerating the curing of paint. I am trying to take advantage of that.
Thanks for the offers. I'll keep you posted on the progress.
Bob
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Shot "Bronze green" paint today
(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x161/rleonard1/Ruston%20Hornsby/photobucket-37386-1344114382903.jpg)
(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x161/rleonard1/Ruston%20Hornsby/photobucket-39179-1344114244182.jpg)
(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x161/rleonard1/Ruston%20Hornsby/photobucket-37385-1344114475069.jpg)
(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x161/rleonard1/Ruston%20Hornsby/photobucket-38927-1344114507500.jpg)
(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x161/rleonard1/Ruston%20Hornsby/photobucket-8775-1344114281681.jpg)
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I wanted to paint the edge of the flywheels. Then possibly a pinstripe. I was puzzling how to make a clean accurate mask. I woke up at 5AM with this idea. Worked out perfect.
The wheels roll on the rim and there is a razor blade that cuts the tape. Different adjustments for inner and outer cut.
(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x161/rleonard1/Ruston%20Hornsby/photobucket-11349-1344114540808.jpg)
(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x161/rleonard1/Ruston%20Hornsby/photobucket-43122-1344114573737.jpg)
(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x161/rleonard1/Ruston%20Hornsby/photobucket-8775-1344114281681.jpg)
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Genius! :laugh:
That sure is some pretty paint! Should cure real fast!
dieselgman
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EPA took my Sherwin Williams Tile clad paint system away. Now using this material. SW Armor seal 1000 HS Epoxy.
http://www.paintdocs.com/webmsds/webPDF.jsp?SITEID=STORECAT&doctype=PDS&lang=E&prodno=B67C2000
Bob
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Back together and running. So far all is checking out OK. Still much to do.
Looks like I'll make it to Oblong! Butch already on the road.
Bob
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Back together and running. So far all is checking out OK. Still much to do.
Looks like I'll make it to Oblong! Butch already on the road.
Bob
Pictures, or it didn't happen! ;-)
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I have been so rushed to get things together that I have not taken any. First time all together on the trailer this afternoon! Pictures coming soon. Promise.
Butch has been here all day helping and we have had a wonderful time. James is joining us tomorrow morning and we're all heading to Oblong.
Bob
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I got home late night. Here are a few pictures;
(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x161/rleonard1/Oblong%202012/2012-08-10_13-15-31_885.jpg)
(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x161/rleonard1/Oblong%202012/2012-08-10_13-11-02_873.jpg)
Bob
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Butch came over Thursday and brought his two beautiful Bamfords. I cannot thank him enough for his help in rigging and getting everything ready for the show. We had a good time and Paula prepared a wonderful meal for us at the end of the day. James was here at 6AM and we were off to Oblong.
Thank you Butch and James. Doug, We missed you.
Bob
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I got home late night. Here are a few pictures;
Bob
Sweeeeeet!
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWw4tv3DFH8&feature=plcp
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Simply beautiful Bob! That can only be called art. Love the slow puffing sound of the big horizontal!
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wonderful/ wish I could have been there.sid
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A masterpiece, Bob. Glad you were able to get her ready in time for the show. I'm sure there was a lot of drooling going on around your trio of restored British Iron gems.
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You've assembled a nice collection, Bob. It's great to see and hear them all running. Almost like being there. I guess until some genius invents digital scratch-'n-sniff I'll just have to imagine the fragrance of diesel smoke . . . ;)
Quinn
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Thank you all for the kind words. Those special people that appreciate these engines and the work that goes into a restoration are becoming fewer and further between.
The Oblong show was well attended and I was paying attention to the attendees. The under 20 group were mostly grand kids dragged along by Grandpa. Whenever they could, their attention was back into sending text messages.
No one has the "knack" any more. I sure did as a kid.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlJsPa6UwcM
A 30 something man and his son were looking over my equipment. He had the dazed look like he hadn't a clue what he was looking at.
I have wondered what will become of the things I have collected and worked on. No one in my family could care less so probably off to the auctioneer.
Bob
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It was my pleasure to spend a day with Bob before the show and help him get things ready.
Although I had warned him early on about the ability of a Bamfords engine to put one to sleep he didn't pay heed to my warnings. Here is Bob who is SUPPOSED to be watching the displays while James and I walked the show. In fairness he didn't have a chance! Sitting between 3 running Bamfords will put anyone to sleep in just a few minutes.
(http://oi47.tinypic.com/344b8et.jpg)
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...
I have wondered what will become of the things I have collected and worked on. No one in my family could care less so probably off to the auctioneer.
Bob
I'm available for adoption ... ;D
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[snip] Sitting between 3 running Bamfords will put anyone to sleep in just a few minutes.
Carbon monoxide will do that, too. ;D
q.
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Bob,
I know what you mean. My kids just say, "Cool, Dad," and, "Can you fix this?" But there's no curiosity as to what makes something work. I can't relate to that, because I have always HAD to know how something works. When I was in college studying biochemistry all my friends - every last one of them - were engineering majors. Those were the people I gravitated toward. I was the only non-engineering major in the college ham radio club, too, and one of only a few who actually diddled around with making electronic gadgets. When I took the test in order to use the engineering department's shop equipment, I argued with the TA who was administering the test, explaining to him why you don't use a miter gauge and a rip fence on a tablesaw together to cut off short pieces of wood, and if you must do so, why you don't stand directly in line with the blade, and why you don't cut fiberglass on a bandsaw. The shop super agreed that was an oversight, thanked me, told me I passed, and modified the test.
Flew to Steamboat Springs to go skiing with girlfriend. Her girlfriend and hubby drove in from Indiana. When they got there, hubby explained they hardly made it up the hill; they had the (old Volvo) engine tuned up just before they left and it ran like crap the whole way. It was dusk, and it was snowing, but I had a couple ideas, so I asked him to flip the lid. The exhaust manifold and header pipe were glowing dull red. I looked around and found that plug wires #2 and #3 were swapped. Next morning as we left, it was 10 degrees and had snowed during the night. The driveway out of the rented cabin went down into a gully then up a steep grade to the main road. It's hard for a cold carbureted engine to transition from running in compression mode to full throttle. The cold engine died in the bottom of the gully. The driver couldn't get it to start. Thick black smoke and smell of raw gas. From the smell I knew what the problem was. Asked him to flip the lid, then found a forked stick and jammed it in the top of the carb (they had those things in 1983) to hold the automatic choke valve open in the thin high altitude air. Got back in the car, engine started and we were off for a day of skiing, rather than waiting for AAA. Yeah, I got laid that night. My girlfriend (now my wife) says her friend and hubby still talk about that and wonder how I knew what the problem was. The guy's now an attorney; a smart guy, but knew nothing about cars.
Those things shouldn't be unusual, but like Bob says, they are increasingly so these days. I was raised in a family of schoolteachers. Never had any money to pay someone else to do anything for us. My dad taught math, science and industrial arts. Changed his own oil, replaced his own brakes, and showed me how to do so. He built cabinets nights and weekends and usually worked on a house with a few of his teacher-buddies every summer. They don't teach autoshop at our local highschool anymore. Neither is there woodshop or metal shop. Kids aren't taught how to build crummy birdhouses or how to bend and solder sheet metal into a tool tray festooned with meathooks to give to their Dad for Christmas. One wonders how we'll survive in an economy dominated by fast food joints and banking service centers.
Quinn
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quinn. I know where you are coming from..40 years of collecting and no one in the family is interested in anything except a cell phone.ipads etc.large collection of engines,corn mill and antique tools and not one of the family can start a lawn mower,the common thing is,I will get some one else to fix it...it is sad to see a generation that can not understand how something works and are afraid to get their hands dirty...so sad //sid
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Same thing with my kids and grandkids as well... sure would be wonderful to hand down the business but they are lacking interest in this sort of thing. Current generations seem to be mostly about immediate gratification not so much about investments for their future well-being. Another sign of the times, sadly.
dieselgman
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Hey Fellas,
We must be an anomoly in our home. I am 39 and work as an IT Director in Banking and Information Technology. BUT! We live on the farm where we raise 1000 acres of wheat. My daughter is 15 and never really showed a lot of interest in mechanical things, but knows her way around the place, helps with equipment moves and knows what makes the farm tick. She's a heck of a shot too!
My 8 soon-to-be 9 year old son is my shadow. He constantly is asking questions and wants to understand how things work. He loves working on the combine or tractors (we do all our own maintenance) and he understands things when I show him. He is becoming really handy and he's only 8! He loves tilling things and working in the garden and he loves animals.
My 7 soon-to-be 8 year old is a little less interested in mechanics, but loves building fence, he's practiced all summer and can drive a 16p nail all by himself. He's not as much on the animals, but loves the outdoors, and is very inquisitive.
I was Dilbert in the YouTube posted above. I took everything apart and back together again. I loved building things as a kid. I rebuilt neighborhood kids bicycles, and loved working on anything with an engine. I'm ad electronics and technology nut, and can wrench on about anything. Maintenance and repair on combines and tractors or implements is my forte and I enjoy working on big working-diesels.
There's hope guys! Sure my kids like their iToys and other gadgets, but they are grounded, are all learning a work ethic, and are learning the arts of mechanics and construction. They are all educated and comfortable around a firearm, by driving age will be changing their own oil and know how to change a tire. Most important they love Jesus!
What more can a guy ask for?
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OK,
Your note is a breath of fresh air. The values and skills that your family is developing is a reflection of what you have shown them.
You have every right to be proud of them. Congratulations.
Bob
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I dont mind one bit when I get to explain how the equipment at a show works. Thats what I like the best.I dont know anything about under the hood of a new car but my friend who is an automotive whiz hand picked for the GM tech helpline didnt know how a hit and miss engine worked.
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I am in agreement that there is less interest in mechanical things than in the past but I also think that preservation and playiing with old equipment has always been the hobby of "older types" not young men. I am in my mid fifties and remember my father saying the same thing 40 years ago, nobody has interest and the hobby will die with us (them). Personally my interests in antiquities and preservation was pretty much zilch until I was in my mid 40s. While most young people cannot explain hit miss governing they can do things with an I-phone so fast it makes my head spin. Of what importance is that? some might say. Those with no interest in our hobby will rightfully ask of what importance is your old flywheels going round and round? Some will get it at some point in life, some wont, there are older types today who don't know diesel fuel from gasoline don't ya know? I have two sons, 21 and 22. One gets it when it comes to old flywheels going round and round the other doesn't. Both are mechanics by trade and damn good ones I must say. One goes with me to shows, the other plays with an I-phone in his spare time.
What's all this ramble about? I don't think I know for sure, LOL but I don't think there is reason for panic over who is going to carry on. Many of the guys who collected when these things were available for scrap price are passing on and many huge collections are being sold and the prices will make a person's head spin. Somebody has interest for sure ;)
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I am getting this setup in the shop. I had to bolt it to the floor to keep the rig from creeping. I guess that makes it a semi-permanant home.
All hooked up and running except for the electrical tie in. That will happen tomorrow.
(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x161/rleonard1/Ruston%20Hornsby/photobucket-35552-1345255337581.jpg)
Bob
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I find the black flywheels with green stripe very attractive. Something I haven't seen before. It's just the right amount of bling for the vintage. A very classy restoration!
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Bob, it looks good enough to eat. Wonderful restoration.
Not to sound a contrary note, but please do tell us how much flicker you get. At 370 rpm I'm interested whether there is enough mass in the flywheels to moderate the pulses better than what we see on our Listeroids. Sure would like to score a set of SOM flywheels someday.
Quinn
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Bruce, Thank you!. Two of us worked half of a day to mask for painting the stripe!
Quinnf, a valid concern. The generator has a 200lb flywheel added for extra inertia. Further working against me is that I have slowed the engine down to 253 rpm and sized the pulleys to spin the generator at 1800 rpm at that speed.
When I get some additional hookups done, I'll shoot a video clip. The halogen lights show slight flicker. It remains to be seen what the effect is on the shop metal halide and florescent lights.
Bob
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Semi-permanent home? You're gonna put her to work? That is awesome. What a beauty! And a worker!
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I've run into a problem with my electrical connection. It has to do with hooking into my single phase / 3 phase system.
The normal connection is single phase (utility feed) goes into the main distribution panel. There, lighting, outlets, and all normal connections (circuit breakers) are made. I also feed the RPC (rotary phase converter). That feeds a 240 3 phase distribution panel, a transformer, then into a 480 3 ph panel.
The generator is 208 3ph, so the logical connection is directly into the 3 ph panel. Then, how do I back feed the single phase panel to power lighting? I could switch the generator back to single phase and feed the main panel, but the losses would be excessive. The generator has 2/3rds capacity when wired this way, then it gets turned back into 3 ph.
Will get it sorted out, sooner or later.
Bob
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Definitely rewire your panel feeds and use 3-phase directly from your generator into your 3-phase panel. Eliminate the phase converter or switch it out of the distribution during generator operations (may require more than one transfer switch to accomplish). KISS may dictate splitting up the system a bit.
dieselgman
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I visited this thread after a long time. There have been a couple of developments. I did get it tied into the shop but it was not pretty. The flicker in the lighting and the motors were all trying to follow the "lumpy" power. It just did not work well. I have not given up on a mechanical solution and part will be to restore the original operating speed of the engine. To do that I need to make a new generator pulley to slow it down.
The other effort has to incorporate a 25HP VFD. The input to the VFD is the lumpy power and the output is perfect 60 hz, I switched the alternator to 480 output to match the input of the VFD. Now I need another transformer.
Another factor was that I had serious back issues develop. This resulted in surgery that has taken me out of the shop for nearly a year. Fortunately the procedure was a success and I'm on the mend. I'm up to a 20 lb wight limit that has me back moving but I have to be ever so careful about what I do.
Lastly the governor on the RH is acting up. I have to overhaul it to see what is causing the erratic behavior.
Bob
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Bob , glad to read that your back up and around some even though at partial capacity.
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Very nice engine !
I will have in future (in next 50 year :D)
Could you explain please How can I put photos to my topic ..
Cheers
Mesut
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After quite some time a neighbor offered up a large 3ph motor to use as a test mule, and I found a used transformer. I wired it all up and tested today. THe VFD takes all the ripple out of the power. Very encouraging. Youtube link:
https://youtu.be/i6iHRKoQkfc (https://youtu.be/i6iHRKoQkfc)
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That's a thing of beauty
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The discovery for me is that using a VFD as a frequency stabilizer might be a improvement to any generator that is run by a slow speed diesel engine.