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Messages - rleonard

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1
Lister Based Generators / Re: Gen head with inverter?
« on: May 05, 2022, 01:56:12 PM »
My 1940's Ruston Hornsby generator is now an inverter generator!  To solve lumpy AC power stemming from a speeding 240 RPM single cylinder diesel, I'm running the power through a VFD (Variable Frequency Drive).  The output is perfect 60.000 HZ AC power.

Bob

2
Other Slow Speed Diesels / Re: A new British Iron Project
« on: June 14, 2020, 10:57:13 AM »
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.

3
Other Slow Speed Diesels / Re: A new British Iron Project
« on: June 13, 2020, 06:52:21 PM »
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

4
Generators / Re: 3hp Lister CS how big a generator can one drive
« on: September 02, 2018, 04:17:36 AM »
roughly 1.5 kw

5
As an experiment, I'm going to replace the crankcase oil with flubber.  That way when the piston goes down in the bore, it will rebound and be propelled upward by the enthusiastic material.  This will mitigate fuel consumption and help to achieve the magic 100K hrs between refueling.

The twin cylinder engines will be filled with positive and negative flubber so the engine always runs in the same direction.  Sinusoidal reverberation will further reduce the noise.


7
Original Lister Cs Engines / Re: moving/lifting the 12/2
« on: November 19, 2016, 01:35:02 PM »
On a twin I have a piece of steel bolted to the two head studs and a forged eye between them.



Zoom in and you can see it.  Has worked for me for years.  On a single, I use a choker strap around the cylinder.

Bob

8
Other Slow Speed Diesels / Re: A new British Iron Project
« on: April 25, 2016, 02:00:02 PM »
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

9
In addition to the ball valve, I install a fluid filled gauge with about a 25 PSI scale

Bob

10
Finally!  On it's way home and paid for!

11
I did receive a reply, more like an acknowledgement.  Nothing since then.  Another month has gone by with no contact from the owner.  

12
Just short of a month since the client was invoiced and there has been no reply.  A registered letter will be sent.  If there is no response, this engine will be put up for sale.

Bob

13
I have two broken OEM Lister crankshafts in my shop right now.  The latest is a 16-2 twin with the crank in two pieces.  Torsional fatigue, broken at the center bearing.  45 degree crack.

The other one was broken at the end.  Pictures and thread here somewhere.

Bob

14
Nick has been a staple in nearly every Lister picture.  He was the overseer of all of my Lister projects. 

Nick passed suddenly and very unexpectedly last August.  That left a huge void in our lives and hearts that will never be fully filled.

The cause was canine bloat.  I was ignorant of the symptoms and did not react quick enough.  Even if a vet can intervene, the chance of survival is slim.  If you have a large chested dog, such as a GSD, Great Dane, and similar, read up on Canine Bloat.  Middle age and senior dogs are susceptible.

Bob

15
You guys have great memories and sharp eyes!

The engine was repaired with a NOS crankshaft sourced through Stationary Engine in England.  Expensive but trusted and additional rework eliminated.  The heads had been changed at some point.  Actually they needed it again as there was a lot of pitting and erosion.  My concern was that a crack could develop. The customer elected not to replace them.  I did surface grind them to get a clean flat surface again.   This engine has a lot of time on it and everything had to be gone through.  Other than the heads, it is as good as I can make it.

Bob

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