Changfa ST5 first run

[Veggiefuel]

My Changfa 195 with an ST-5 head is up and running.
The unit runs exceptionally smooth at 1600 rpm. Very little vibration at all.
Here's a couple of videos...

Test run (Unloaded)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rB04ScXhd6Q

Loaded (2.1Kw)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OadQC66XZZk

The next thing I need to work on is the noise level.
Currently it's between 89 and 93 dba.
Any ideas from you other Changfa users ??

I have also been considering another project using a Listeroid 10/1. Anyone know what the approx. noise level is with a stock muffler ? are they a lot quieter than the Changfa's ?

Cheers,
Veggie

[mobile_bob]

sorry i missed your project

looks like you did a very nice job of it.

how are you going to use it?

if long hours you might wanna consider getting rid of the radiator/fan and remote mount something
the little oem bits shake/break/fall off much sooner than later.

nice to see another 195 doing what it does best!

bob g

[Veggiefuel]

Hi Bob,

Eventually, the unit will be used to charge a battery bank at full load for 3 - 4 hours per day.
I will size the battery bank in such a way that after 1 day of supplying power to the house, it will be down to 80%-85% capacity.
The the generator will then charge at eg: 35 amps for X hours to recharge the system
Primary intended fuel is WVO.
As time passes (and the budget allows) I can add solar panels to take advantage of the large amount of sunlight days in my area.

Regarding the radiator. The plan is to use the coolant and exhaust to heat my garage or house. So the rad will be replaced by a circulation plate.
Not sure I agree with you about the vibration though. At 1600-1700 rpm this thing is so smooth that vibration is almost none existent.
Perhaps because the weight and rigidity of the steel base, but I don't see a problem.
Once the wheels come off and the base gets grouted to a concrete pad, it might be even smoother.


Cheers,
Veggie

[mobile_bob]

vibration from balance is really not an issue with these engines, they run very smooth in my opinion
the issue i have is with the combustion event (diesel knock) being transmitted very effectively through
the concrete slab of the attached garage to the rest of the house.

i don't know how else to describe it, but it is very sharp in nature, more of a bang than a thump that the
listeroid boys report.

ymmv or course

what voltage of battery bank?

st powering a charger to charge the batteries?

bob g

[Veggiefuel]

Hey Bob,

Some of the new inverters have generator connections.
The Inverter has a built-in charger.
The user can select to charge the batteries, divert all generator power to the house, or run on 120v from the inverted battery bank power.
Quite versatile.

http://www.donrowe.com/inverters/prosine_inverter_charger.html

Not sure of the battery bank voltage yet. Have to do some more research on that. I suppose the bank voltage will end up being whatever the inverter requires.

By the way, can an ST5 put out 5000 watts continuous 24/7 ??

Veggie

[mobile_bob]

i would think it could do 5kw all day long, unless you are in a very hot climate, and the engine room is poorly ventilated
in which case maybe have to derate?


let me know if you find some efficiency numbers for the charger section of the inverter/chargers
i haven't looked very hard, but it seems to me most of what i have seen have been in the 85-88% range
but i am not sure if that is across the charging range or at some specific output only?

personally i don't like integrated inverter/chargers, one half goes down and you lose both if you have to send it
in for service/repairs

but i might get to liking them if the charging section exceeds 93% across a broad range of charging rates
and not at some point where it then falls of dramatically either side of the peak efficiency number.

bob g

[Veggiefuel]

Henry,

If you get  chance, please post a picture of your fabricated mounting legs.
I thing all the Changfa users would be interested.

Thanks for the suggestion,
Veggie

[Veggiefuel]

hey Jens,

The reason I am going with an inverter is because the house is already wired for 120V. No wiring to change.
I dislike running 12v wires or purchasing specialized 12v appliances and fixtures (if that's what you were referring to).
As far as the battery bank voltage is concerned, I am open to 12, 24, 48 or whatever is best for the application.
Do you have a preference?

Cheers,
Veggie

[Veggiefuel]

Jens,

Understood.

Thanks,

Veggie

[oliver90owner]

I am open to 12, 24, 48 or whatever is best for the application.
Do you have a preference?

Deep discharge cells will have a lower rate of discharge recommendation than a traction battery and much lower than an automotive starter battery.  That may be an issue.  I²R electrical losses are important for both generator windings and any transmission conductors.  It is always preferable, if practicable, to go the higher voltage route.

Regards, RAB

[mike90045]

hey Jens,

The reason I am going with an inverter is because the house is already wired for 120V. No wiring to change.
I dislike running 12v wires or purchasing specialized 12v appliances and fixtures (if that's what you were referring to).
As far as the battery bank voltage is concerned, I am open to 12, 24, 48 or whatever is best for the application.
Do you have a preference?

Cheers,
Veggie

Go for 48V.  Use 6V golf cart batteries. All series wire, no parallel, no weird load sharing problems.

If you must parallel batteries: how to properly wire your battery bank (diagonally)
http://www.smartgauge.co.uk/batt_con.html
it explains why, and has several diagrams too.

[Veggiefuel]

Mike,

That's an interesting (and very useful) website for battery wiring.


Thanks

[lowspeedlife]

Hi Veg, not sure where in the world you may be but in the U.S. all the telephone back up power systems are 48 volt & often this equiptment comes up for sale, sometimes it can be had pretty cheaply too, if you want to go the seperate (spelling?) inverter/charger route.
    Scott R.

[Veggiefuel]

Hey Scott,

No used phone equipment here. Up here in western Canada, we still use "two tin cans with a tight string" for communication.
Or smoke signals from Literoids burning WMO....
Ask Jens and Stan! 

Seems that 48 volts is the way to go. I will wire the battery bank accordingly.
Upon further research, 12 VDC inverters are mostly built for Marine/Auto applications.

Cheers,
Veggie