Lister Engine Forum
How to / DIY => Generators => Topic started by: Mtour on November 25, 2017, 09:14:14 PM
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Looking at maybe purchasing this generator setup, it's a 1959 Lister FR3 with a Kato generator and a Mechron power panel. The tag on the generator head lists it as 115V and 122amp. This to me could be the deal breaker, as a backup generator I would never need 122amps at 115v, mini split heater and water heater need 220v.
Do you think this generator head could be configured for 120/220v. Or is there a way to transform to 120/220v.
Already have a Lister sr2 with a kohler 6.5kw head and a Lister sl1 2000w 120v for backup power.
I would pass on this Lister FR3 setup but the guy wants less then 1k for it. So I am trying to find a need for it, save it from the scrap yard.
Any thoughts...Thanks..
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The FR engines are, I believe, extremely good. Robust, easy starting, long-lived. Pretty much the height of Lister's diesel skills, and they made stacks of them, so spares shouldn't be a problem.
Re transforming 110v - it's a doddle; you just need a 2:1 transformer capable of handling the load. 122amps @ 115v = a fairly beefy 14kVA, so you could look for a 15kVA autotransformer.... or, if your loads aren't so big, why not use a bunch of site transformers wired "backwards", i.e. feed it 110v, it should give 220v ish at the other end.... Note, I've never done this, but a bit of googling suggests it shouldn't be too hard. Just watch the ratings, it'd be easy to overload it and cook/set fire to/explode the transformer...
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Thanks for the reply.
I found a autotransformer that would do the job, VICTRON 120/240V 32/100A autotransformer.
This is a transformer for step-up, step-down and split phase output balancing purposes. The step up and step down part is easy: Input can be 120 Volts and output 240 Volts or input can be 240 Volts and output 120 Volts. Regardless of the input voltage the input current is limited by the built in breaker to 100 Amps. The split phase output balancing is a bit more complicated to understand: When the input is 240 volts you can have two 120 volt load groups with a total output of the full 100 Amp rating regardless of whether the loads are balanced or not. The transformer automatically takes care of the load balancing. See the links below for more details:
Autotransformer 100 A
Input/output voltage 120 / 240V
Input circuit breaker 100 A two pole
Frequency 50/60Hz
240V to L1,L2 current 32A
Neutral current, 30 min 32A (3800VA)
Neutral current, continuous 28A @ 40ºC/100ºF
Transformer type Toroidal
Enclosure Aluminium
100 Amp Input circuit breaker included
Protection category IP21
Safety EN 60076
Weight 13.5 Kg
Dimensions (h x w x d) 425 x 214 x 110
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The FR engines are, I believe, extremely good. Robust, easy starting, long-lived. Pretty much the height of Lister's diesel skills, and they made stacks of them, so spares shouldn't be a problem.
Agreed they are the engineers engine, and were the pinnacle of the compression change over combustion chamber design. However new spares are and always have been the problem with these engines, see here for an example: http://listerparts.co.uk/Lister%20FR.html