I have 2 Listeroids, a 6/1 that's cranked up to a 7.5/1 by raising the RPM and a 20/2 that's slowed down a bit. Both engines have automotive mufflers and are quiet enough for my location. However, I absolutely despise the smell of diesel exhaust and while both engines have clear exhaust when operating, they do have enough odor to be bothersome.

Years ago, I remember some effort was being made to develop an emissions compliant Listeroid. That's not my goal here.

What I've been thinking about is purchasing a diesel specific catalytic converter and mounting it as close to the head as possible. I have TIG welding equipment and it would be quite easy to weld a flange that installs it directly on the head. Yes, I know most diesel owners desire to "delete" the emissions equipment. However, I have sufficient power, and I'm sure any HP loss would be minimal with a low restriction catalyst.

What I'm not sure about is whether it would help, and whether or not it would actually "light off" and function.

Has anyone done such a thing?

I'm in the market for a car. No particular need for anything special, other than I don't want to spend a lot for an appliance. (Note, I prefer performance cars, but this will be a third car for my Florida home) The $7500 EV (electric vehicle) tax credit would be really helpful this year. Since the Chevy Volt is now heavily discounted, at about $24,500-$25,500 for a base model, it's worth considering. The tax credit brings the total out of pocket cost to just under $20K. Not bad at all for an efficient car.

The Volt goes about 50 miles on a charge, and after that, the gas engine kicks in.

If I purchase one, it might be very interesting to see just how effective the 6/1 is in charging the thing.

Note 2: The 2018 Volt takes 13 hours to charge on 115V and 4.5 hours on 240 (the charger is 3.6KW) .   My 6/1 has somewhat increased RPM (770) and makes about 4400W max, 4000 with clear exhaust. HMMMMMMM So I think it would be just fine charging at 240V.

I will be purchasing a 20x12 steel shed (really a portable building on skids) with a wooden floor for storage of my accumulated stuff and lawn/yard equipment.

My lister generator is currently sitting outside under a tarp, where my fabric garage used to be prior to the hurricane. Can't have it sitting in the rain..... ugh. As it really is a very nice machine.

Here is the issue, these sheds have a 3/4 inch plywood floor. The lister is heavy and violent enough that the floor is clearly insufficiently strong, even for temporary storage of the generator. Yet, it would be nice to have that thing inside the shed even for temporary storage until I finish the generator shack. I had considered putting some sonotubes full of concrete in the ground, and using that to support the lister. Eventually, I'd like to have the lister in it's own dedicated small building, behind the house, on a concrete slab.

I'd love to pour a slab and construct a real garage, but I don't have the funds for that. The portable building is 1/6th the cost of a real garage.

Thoughts?

 

I've been getting weaker rather rapidly as I age (I'm 49)(some health issues) . I'm not exactly able to crank over my 20HP twin with enough speed to get it to start lately. But, feeling good today, I thought I'd give it a try. Two hands on the handle, crank it as fast as I can (not enuf) and release the compression. It stops and kicks back, with enough force to get it to rotate backwards with lots of speed. The engine then starts on one cylinder and belches the nastiest smoke you have ever seen, out of the air filter!!! It comes up to speed and the generator comes on line!

Handle still attached to the crank, firmly, as the drive pawl is fully engaged in the direction of operation. I'm smart enough to get away from this. So, I sit there and watch it run for a bit. Sounds nasty, smells nasty. I'm sure my neighbors love me now, with huge clouds of acrid black smoke going up.

Finally, I take stock of the situation (fuel rack was full open) and go around the other side. Reach over and shut off the fuel lever. It comes to a halt.

Now, I was under the mistaken impression that 4 stroke diesels could not operate backwards, as the series of intake-compression-combustion-exhaust must be in that order. But, it seems that I now have a Bi-Directional Listeroid.

Guess I'm getting an electric starter. I can no longer start this thing!

I'll check the injection timing and probably degree the camshaft again. Along with a careful inspection the internals for a broken timing gearset or something. I suspect nothing is wrong and I'm just weak.

I've run out of room in the electrical junction box atop my mighty ST-15 generator head.

I installed a conventional 115V dual plug outlet, a 230V generator receptacle, and a bank of capacitors along with a larger voltage regulator. The problem is that the box is simply too small for all of that.

I'd like something tough, and a bit larger. But, not huge. A hinged or easy access top would be great.

Suggestions please.

I want to run my 1000RPM twin at 1250RPM. I have tried getting it to this RPM by pushing on the rack and carefully watching the engine. It runs just fine at that speed. In fact, I would say, it's a bit smoother.

Please avoid rants about flywheel safety. I can make or purchase a strong flywheel with the proper diameter for the speeds involved. A car tire spins faster than one of these flywheels.

What do you guys think?

So, my twin started making a bit less power in the RH cylinder (the one farthest from the gov). In fact, it would not even make black smoke any more. So, after changing the inj and pump (did not help) Rocketboy adjusted the timing thereby increasing the pump stroke. As you would expect, that cylinder now makes a loud diesel knock.

I suspect there is an underlying problem with the timing of the cam lobe, or some unusual wear going on.

In any case, I wondered if any of you guys tune by ear. It is obviously easy to tell when there is too much advance, by the loud knock. There must be a point where the engine is "quiet enough" but powerful and efficient.

Obviously, in my case, the spill timing was a bit shy in the power department due to maximum pump stroke issues.

Chris