Author Topic: Ebay Generator Head  (Read 18863 times)

ramdiesel3500

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Ebay Generator Head
« on: August 23, 2006, 08:21:02 PM »
I am a bit confused by what I see in the way of generator heads.  What is an "ST" head?  Is it a type of head or is it a brand name?  I did a search on ebay and found some 1800rpm heads that are blue and some that are grey.  Anyone familiar with either or both of these types?  Any info will be appreciated.  I have been following this forum site for a while now and am becomming very interested in getting a large twin like a 24/2 or larger if available to power a 20KW 1800rpm head so I can run my whole house during an outage.  I already have a 200A manual transfer switch installed, but my little 5kw generator will not run my clothes dryer or my oven and it will just barely run the water heater if I turn off everything else.  So a totally cool looking Lister-type diesel gen-set would certainly fill the bill.  (and my dad will think I bought a John Deere when he hears it!!!)  Any info on these gen heads or where they are available will be much appreciated! 
Thanks!

DaveW

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Re: Ebay Generator Head
« Reply #1 on: August 23, 2006, 08:34:57 PM »
Go over to utterpower.com and read your heart out.  I don't know if George is still selling any generators, but he certainly has the info you need to get started.  As to where to find, several dealers around the US I think still have stock, and e-bay shows them quite often.

rjcroc

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Re: Ebay Generator Head
« Reply #2 on: August 23, 2006, 09:19:48 PM »

The guy on ebay (sawyer335) sells the generator that is the one that George talks about. I just bought one, two weeks ago.

Rick
"THE GREATEST DANGER FOR MOST OF US IS NOT THAT OUR AIM IS TOO HIGH AND WE MISS IT, BUT THAT IT IS TOO LOW AND WE REACH IT"  MICHELANGELO
6/1 METRO, 6/1 LISTER SOM, 6/1 LISTER, 1 1/2 HP LISTER D, LISTER PUMP,LISTER PETTER LPWS4

mjn

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Re: Ebay Generator Head
« Reply #3 on: August 23, 2006, 11:28:22 PM »
The ST is a type of generator head.  I don't know what it actually stands for, but an ST head is typically 4 pole with a rotating field supplied by brushes and slip rings.  ST heads often do not even have voltage regulation.  These are the simplest form of generator possible.  The only "electronic" parts are the rectifier diodes which provide "DC" to the field.  These have the fewest possible things to go wrong, but do not produce a terribly nice AC waveform.  Nothing in my house seems to care that the generator makes ugly AC.  Even the computer UPS does not mind when I'm on generator.

I don't know about your power needs, but a 20kw generator seems like overkill for a standby home generator. Personally, I have an unregulated ST 7.5 driven by a Changfa (Chinese) 195 engine.  I am running my generator at 1800 rpm at 3500 feet elevation, so the unit maxes out at about 6500 watts.  With careful load management, I can run anything in my house including my 3 ton air conditioner.

The biggest load that I am likely to see is on laundry day when I'm running the dryer (~5000 watts), washer (~700 watts), well pump (1500 watts) and water heater.  My water heater is an oil fired unit, so it only draws an amp or so.  That all adds up to  7400 watts which is more than my generator can carry.  Sometimes I turn off the well pump and run on the water in the presure tank.  If the water presure drops too low, I stop the dryer and turn on the pump.  This level of power management is more than my wife is willing to do, so if I wan't to run the generator on laundry day, then it is up to me to do the laundry.

On hot days, I can run the A/C and water the lawn with enough power left over to run the fridge or a few lights. When I'm running the A/C on generator power, my wife as learned to ask before turning on the stove.  If I turn off the sprinklers, there is enough power to run one burner on the stove.  If more than one burner is required, the house is usually cool enough to handle turning off the A/C while dinner is being cooked.

It would be nice to have a bit more power available, but I can't imagine needing anything more than 10kw.  (Unless my wife wants to cook pasta while baking bread on a hot day while doing laundry).
Changfa 195 7.5 kw ST.  WVO conversion http://martin.nile.googlepages.com/
Metro 6/1 DI Listeroid. Pumping water for fire control.
1933 Stover CT-1 hit and miss
1936 Farmall F-12 -- unrestored, still used to mow the field

ramdiesel3500

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Re: Ebay Generator Head
« Reply #4 on: August 24, 2006, 01:08:24 AM »
Dave, Rick, & mjn

Thanks for the responses!
mjn
I agree with your point on overkill.  My wife, however, does not like to do the math constantly during a utility outage.  So I am considering the larger alternator in order to allow her to run what she wants whenever she wants.  Plus, I just simply like things to be a bit oversized.  Pulling a 20kw head with a 24hp engine is, obviously, not gonna damage the head so long as the engine holds speed.  I hope the rotating mass and larger coils in the 20kw head will help to start motor loads better.  Now, I just have to figure out how to raise the funds!!!
Thanks again folks!

gpkull

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Re: Ebay Generator Head
« Reply #5 on: August 24, 2006, 01:35:13 AM »
the overkill on the st is not a bad thing you should not burn it up. if u think u would max out at 10k go 15 dont worry. a 15 will last a lot longer at 10k than a 10k maxed. my 24/2 has 17.65 kw rating stamped on it  i have an st24 riding beside it . have yet to load till  the black cloud run everyone off. point is the st will produce more than ever needed or than the 24/2 could keep up with if i did ask for 100 amps 220v

binnie

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Re: Ebay Generator Head
« Reply #6 on: August 24, 2006, 02:25:12 AM »
The difficulty here is that when you are running a 24/2 at minimum load, you may very well be deminishing its life expectancy faster. It is designed to work best at max load not min. How often will you be using full load? Will you be running it way below its potential for most of its life? Matching your regular daily load requirement to the required ST head & equivelant motor and using either manual or automatic switches to manage your exceptional load requirements may be the better way to go. (according to bob, and it makes sence to me too). Think it out carefully before you jump. Invest in a Kill-a-watt like Geo. B suggest & find out just what your real requirements are. Then make your shopping list accordingly. binnie 
Listeroid 12/2 Jkson with 10kw head, for backup now on diesel. Future interests: WVO, bio,  Cogen - Heat exchangers - solar.

gpkull

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Re: Ebay Generator Head
« Reply #7 on: September 04, 2006, 01:46:18 AM »
the st24 was purchased to hook to a yanmar out of a tk unit. still have the yanmar but hooked up w/ a 24/2. this is stand by when the hurricanes come by we will be without first and 7 to 10 is standard 12 ithink is the most. the roid and the st were purchased both overkill but i can run 2 houses if needed my plasma cutter (90amps maxed)  my wire feed  and anything else 110 or 220. i aslo have a 12 hp elec start welder.  miller roughneck Ie.  3600 weld 1800 gen. only good for 3500 watts 110v. it has powered thru a couple seasons 3 to 4 hrs per gallon depending on load but limited to 110v  GASOLINE .    my dad has a killowatt very nice for the price. i already had all the meters before as generators are not new to me

gpkull

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Re: Ebay Generator Head
« Reply #8 on: September 04, 2006, 02:02:21 AM »
ramdiesel3500
the st is a 4 pole self exitating dual brush dual slip ring gen.   4 poles means rpm of 1800 to produce whatever voltage at 60hz. your home depot (screamers) are 2 pole 3600 rpm to prduce 60hz. .  the st very basic and built to last. if u know how a car alternator works the st is the same. the difference is ac vs dc  the more voltage you feed the rotor the more voltage the stator will produce.  on a car the output is dc no frequency so rpm can vary . on a gen the governor is very important as the rpms need to be maintained loaded or not or anywhere in between. your brush type motors are  a lot more forgiving as far as freq.(hz) capacator start/run or either are not. hope not to confuse but there is another site that goes into great detail about the st  it is utterpower

Doug

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Re: Ebay Generator Head
« Reply #9 on: September 04, 2006, 02:48:43 AM »
Way back in the early days before cap start and run motors there was a family of AC motors called Repulsion motors. The combined the high starting torque of Series or universal motors with a winding design that allowed them to run at a constant speed  ( once up too speed ).
They don't make these anymore and havent in a long time but If you find one you'll know it by the brushes and centrifical shorting mechanism. The reason I bring this up is they have better starting torque than modern motors and frequencey changes don't disturb them as much as modern motors. The efficiency is a little lower but a small genset has a better chance starting one of these than say a standard split phase single induction under load.

They're also cool as hell.....

Last ones I saw was in an old Bennet gas pump from the late 50s and a Hobort Potatoe peeler. And one Brand name "Lamb Electric" rings a bell as one of the last makers.

Doug

ramdiesel3500

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Re: Ebay Generator Head
« Reply #10 on: September 06, 2006, 06:34:32 PM »
Hey folks!
Thanks again for all your responses.  I am especially interested in this head for two reasons.  I want a listeroid to tinker with and show off a county fairs as a power plant.  I also want to build a generator to run off a tractor PTO (possible flat belt drive).  These ST 4-pole heads seem to be the perfect match!  Thanks!

buickanddeere

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Re: Ebay Generator Head
« Reply #11 on: September 06, 2006, 08:54:24 PM »
Sell Stock Generator ST and STC

Elsewhere they have three phas eunits up to 50KW listed.

 b&d

Stock Generator ST and STC Stock Generator ST and STC Stock Generator ST and STC
Post Date:    Jul 06, 2006
Expiry date:    Sep 16, 2006
See Stock Generator ST and STC Details

Detailed Selling Lead Description
Our factory have stock ST and STC GENERATOR want to sell SINGLE PHASE 220V 50 HZ
STC-7.5KW 14 sets
STC-30KW 14 sets
STC-40KW 14 sets
STC-50KW 16 sets
STC-60KW 14 sets
Three phase 380V 50HZ.Power factor 0.8(lag)
ST-2KW 58 Sets
ST-3KW 85 Stets
ST-7.5 20 sets
ST-5KW 88 sets

rcavictim

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Re: Ebay Generator Head
« Reply #12 on: September 08, 2006, 06:38:52 AM »
Sell Stock Generator ST and STC

Elsewhere they have three phas eunits up to 50KW listed.

 b&d

Stock Generator ST and STC Stock Generator ST and STC Stock Generator ST and STC
Post Date:    Jul 06, 2006
Expiry date:    Sep 16, 2006
See Stock Generator ST and STC Details

Detailed Selling Lead Description
Our factory have stock ST and STC GENERATOR want to sell SINGLE PHASE 220V 50 HZ
STC-7.5KW 14 sets
STC-30KW 14 sets
STC-40KW 14 sets
STC-50KW 16 sets
STC-60KW 14 sets
Three phase 380V 50HZ.Power factor 0.8(lag)
ST-2KW 58 Sets
ST-3KW 85 Stets
ST-7.5 20 sets
ST-5KW 88 sets

B&D,

Who/where has these for sale?  You mentioned ebay.  Auction # or vendor name?
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-DIY JD175A, minimum fuel research genset.
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slowspeed1953

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Re: Ebay Generator Head
« Reply #13 on: September 08, 2006, 08:26:22 PM »
Looks like alibaba.com

Peace&Love :D, Darren

fuddyduddy

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Re: Ebay Generator Head
« Reply #14 on: September 08, 2006, 08:54:02 PM »
Actually, it looks like Fujian Fu'an Jinlong Electrical Machine Co., Ltd. , and they have some limited advertising for their 50 HZ ST  heads on alibaba.

Their web site is http://www.jl-motor.com , and they specialise in coconut diggers.  Their YZB180-4 model is unequalled for juicing coconuts.