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Lister Based Generators / Another pulley size question
« on: April 21, 2006, 03:08:40 PM »
Gentlemen of the group;
I am in the process of belting up my 16-2 Lister to a ST15 generator head that I just received. Now I know that the engine cannot pull a full 15KW load. I do not need nearly that capacity at this time. My average load for the house is 2500W over the month. That goes to 3500 in the summer with AC. I do not know my peak loads (note to self - get a Kill a watt meter ordered). Lets estimate 30A @240 = 7200W momentary load when the AC kicks on.
The engine is rated at 16HP @ 850 RPM. I have 23" heavy flywheels on the engine. To sipn the generator @1800 I'm looking at a 10.86 dia. pulley.
In the interest of fuel savings, I do not need that kind of output on a regular basis. To pull the avg. load of 3500W, someone here will suggest that I throw away my 16-2 (a nice origional one!) and replace it with a 6-1 + ST5. This would be a plan, but I had another idea. (LOL)
Why not slow the engine down to reduce fuel consumption. In very general terms, if a 16-2 @850 rpm becomes a 12-2 @ 650, then at 500 rpm, HP is roughly 9. Using ~2hp/kw gets me closer to my average load while hopefully enjoying some fuel savings. I can drop the pulley size to 6.39" to get 1800 on the generator.
I am going to use a serpentine belt and can machine my own pulley.
The local expert with at least 40 years experience with Listers said that they run these engines slow as needed with no detrimental effects whatsoever. The Lister manual says to run the engine at rated speed or contact them.
Ant thoughts or comments? Something I have overlooked?
Thanks,
Bob
I am in the process of belting up my 16-2 Lister to a ST15 generator head that I just received. Now I know that the engine cannot pull a full 15KW load. I do not need nearly that capacity at this time. My average load for the house is 2500W over the month. That goes to 3500 in the summer with AC. I do not know my peak loads (note to self - get a Kill a watt meter ordered). Lets estimate 30A @240 = 7200W momentary load when the AC kicks on.
The engine is rated at 16HP @ 850 RPM. I have 23" heavy flywheels on the engine. To sipn the generator @1800 I'm looking at a 10.86 dia. pulley.
In the interest of fuel savings, I do not need that kind of output on a regular basis. To pull the avg. load of 3500W, someone here will suggest that I throw away my 16-2 (a nice origional one!) and replace it with a 6-1 + ST5. This would be a plan, but I had another idea. (LOL)
Why not slow the engine down to reduce fuel consumption. In very general terms, if a 16-2 @850 rpm becomes a 12-2 @ 650, then at 500 rpm, HP is roughly 9. Using ~2hp/kw gets me closer to my average load while hopefully enjoying some fuel savings. I can drop the pulley size to 6.39" to get 1800 on the generator.
I am going to use a serpentine belt and can machine my own pulley.
The local expert with at least 40 years experience with Listers said that they run these engines slow as needed with no detrimental effects whatsoever. The Lister manual says to run the engine at rated speed or contact them.
Ant thoughts or comments? Something I have overlooked?
Thanks,
Bob