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Author Topic: Northern 2.9 Gen Head  (Read 12307 times)

stevo42

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Northern 2.9 Gen Head
« on: October 15, 2014, 05:57:09 PM »
Does anyone happen to know if the Northern 2.9 generator head can be rewired for 120V only. Theres no mention in the spics and I don't have the gen head here. I'm still contemplating my options.

fabricator

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Re: Northern 2.9 Gen Head
« Reply #1 on: October 15, 2014, 10:07:54 PM »
The 2900 watt head has 120 volt outlets in the back cover of the case.
BioDiesel Brewer

stevo42

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Re: Northern 2.9 Gen Head
« Reply #2 on: October 15, 2014, 11:54:18 PM »
Right, I would like to rewire it from 120v/240v to just 120v. I have a ST5 that I will rewire for only 120v also. The only 240v load I have is a 1/2 HP deep well pump which I hope to find a step up transformer to run.  Still trying to absorb enough knowledge to make the right decision.

fabricator

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Re: Northern 2.9 Gen Head
« Reply #3 on: October 16, 2014, 01:03:23 AM »
Well it's already tapped for 120 so you wouldn't have to do anything,it most likely has a set of outlets for 110 and a set for 220. If you were to run the 220 to a breaker box you could have a regular 110/220 setup as long as exede the capacity of the alternator.
BioDiesel Brewer

Tom

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Re: Northern 2.9 Gen Head
« Reply #4 on: October 16, 2014, 03:16:14 AM »
Steveo, I don't think 3600 rpm heads can be rewired as it's already a 2 pole head and each pole produces the 120.
Tom
2004 Ashwamegh 6/1 #217 - ST5 just over 3k hours.

stevo42

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Re: Northern 2.9 Gen Head
« Reply #5 on: October 16, 2014, 02:33:56 PM »
It does have two 120 outlets and two 240 outlets. I thought that if it put out only 120 and not 120/240, I didn't have to be careful about balancing the load of each 120 leg, or that doesn't apply to two pole generators?

stevo42

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Re: Northern 2.9 Gen Head
« Reply #6 on: January 04, 2015, 08:58:33 PM »
Update with a few observations and questions from a rookie. I got my system set up 240/120, both gen sets, the ST5 and Northern 2.9 KW. We had a three day power outage and everything worked fine except I spent allot of time balancing the loads. My UPSs didn't work right and the lights flickered when reefers cycled etc... Not a big deal, I was warned about balancing loads.  I didn't need 240 for my pump so all this hassle could be eliminated if I just go back to 120. (I have a plan for 240 and the deep well pump but we'll forget that for now)  So, no problem rewiring the ST head, but since my northern 2.9 head is (3600RPM) 240/120 wouldn't  it be true that if I just plugged into one gen head 120 outlet to feed the system I would only be able to use half the KWs and the gen head would be drastically out of balance? hence my question about being able to rewire it for 120 only or maybe it doesn't matter?  I do have an electrician/friend checking my work but you folks have the generator part down and have been a great help on that end, thank you.

Tom

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Re: Northern 2.9 Gen Head
« Reply #7 on: January 05, 2015, 03:46:43 AM »
The 3600 rpm heads cannot be wired for 120 only since they are 2 pole. Your best option for that head may be a balancing transformer.
Tom
2004 Ashwamegh 6/1 #217 - ST5 just over 3k hours.

stevo42

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Re: Northern 2.9 Gen Head
« Reply #8 on: January 05, 2015, 04:18:02 PM »
Thanks for the reply. When I just had the 2.9 head I had each 120v circuit feeding the six circuit transfer switch in the house. That worked for years. Would that not be an option again?  How would a "balancing transformer" fit into my desire to go back to 120v only?   Isn't that a device for balancing L1 & L2 of 240v?

Tom

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Re: Northern 2.9 Gen Head
« Reply #9 on: January 05, 2015, 05:43:25 PM »
Steve, a 1800 rpm 4 pole gen head can be wired so that there are only 2 wires coming out of it a 120v hot and neutral. When wired this way the load is always balanced among the 4 poles of the head.

With a 2 pole head you will always have 2 120v hot wires and a neutral. With this type of head either the loads will need to be balanced, a balancing transformer can balance the loads between the poles or a step down transformer can be used to convert the full 240v (both 120v hots) to 120v.

On my system a balancing transformer is used and while not perfect it does the job well enough to run all the loads with out dropping out to the inverters.
Tom
2004 Ashwamegh 6/1 #217 - ST5 just over 3k hours.

stevo42

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Re: Northern 2.9 Gen Head
« Reply #10 on: January 05, 2015, 06:23:18 PM »


OK, thanks, so before I proceed with transformers, a couple questions, how about running the two circuits of 120 to my transfer switch as I mentioned in the previous post.  the other thing, I just added up my requirements in the house, its under 600 watts... how would that generator like it if I pulled that from one leg? (ran one leg to the house instead of two) Of course I could plug in a load in the other leg (the other 120v plug in the back of the head)  I just need to explore these possibilities considering the relatively light load requirement in the house.      Or would this balancing transformer be something I could just plug into the 240 plug in the back of the head and one circuit if 120Vs comes out? That sounds too easy, If thats the case, where can I get one??

Tom

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Re: Northern 2.9 Gen Head
« Reply #11 on: January 05, 2015, 06:50:08 PM »
Well since it worked that way before it certainly will again. 600w on one leg is not that much of an imbalance. How does the voltage hold up with it imbalanced like that?
Tom
2004 Ashwamegh 6/1 #217 - ST5 just over 3k hours.

stevo42

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Re: Northern 2.9 Gen Head
« Reply #12 on: January 05, 2015, 07:34:39 PM »
 

Well the only way I had it before was both 120 legs (one from each plug in the head) running to the transfer switch, never a problem that way...but with a little Google help I came up with this http://www.220-electronics.com/3000-watt-diamond-series-voltage-converter.html    Would this be the type of transformers you were thinking about? if so, like you said, that would be the way to go it seems to me. maybe the 3000 watt?  No, this cant be true, its to easy.

stevo42

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Re: Northern 2.9 Gen Head
« Reply #13 on: January 05, 2015, 10:52:26 PM »

Tom

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Re: Northern 2.9 Gen Head
« Reply #14 on: January 05, 2015, 11:18:55 PM »
Tom
2004 Ashwamegh 6/1 #217 - ST5 just over 3k hours.