Generator advice

Joules · Post by **Joules** » 12 Oct 2010, 19:23

My brother has bought me an old Lister diesel generating set:

... which is very cool. Runs very nicely etc.

But I know dangerously little about electricity, so I'm hoping for some advice as to what to do next...

I'd like it to connect to my house for the inevitable outages, but it looks like it won't run very much (0.8kva - about 800watts?) and that's only at 110v. I've read somewhere that some alternators can be double-wired somehow to produce 240v; is this possible with this equipment?

The other option might be to get a transformer to step it up, but won't this be very inefficient?

Should I consider swapping the existing alternator with a 240v one? How would I establish what the right thing would be?

I've established that, once putting-out 240v, it can only be connected to the house via a power transfer switch, like one of these: http://www.justgenerators.co.uk/pages/C ... Switch.htm and I guess this will have to be fitted by an electrician.

On that same site, I noticed some reference to "noise compliance"... might that be a problem for my Lister? How do you go about building a sound-proof box?

Thanks for any help.

Joules.

Post by **adam2** » 12 Oct 2010, 20:10

110 volts is not suited to any common UK domestic appliance.
It is certainly posible to use a transformer to increase the voltage to 230/240, these are readily available.
Remember though that a transformer cant increase the power, indeed it will be slightly reduced on account of the loses in the transformer.
800 VA at 110 volts would be about 760 VA at 240 volts. This is too small for most appliances, but could work lighting, and possibly refrigeration and electronics or a heating system.
It should be possible to replace the alternator with a 240 volt one, you will need a Lister expert to confirm. The output would probably still be limited to about 800 VA as this depends on the engine power, though you MIGHT find that the engine is larger than needed for 800 VA and can therefore drive a larger alternator.

If you have, or are considering, a large battery bank and an inverter, then it might be simpler to use the engine for battery charging. Large chargers for 110 volt input are readily available.

To connect a generator to the fixed wireing does indeed require a changeoever switch, this is a relatively costly item and should be installed by an approved electrician unless you have very considerable experience in such matters.
It is also notifiable to the part pee police.
Another option is a dedicated wireing circuit supplied only from the generator, in case of power cut, selected appliances may be unplugged from the mains and instead plugged into the generator circuit.
This simpler to DIY but is still MEANT to be notified to the part pee police.

Joules · Post by **Joules** » 13 Oct 2010, 19:45

Thanks Adam.

I'll investigate further with some Lister people and see what they say about it.

Is it significant that the alternator runs at 3,000rpm? To me, that suggests that this is what the Lister is running at...

I certainly don't expect it to power the whole house in a BAU fashion, but maybe keeping the fridge going, a few lights and an occasional immersion heater when things start to get bad would be nice

Joules.

the mad cyclist · Post by **the mad cyclist** » 13 Oct 2010, 20:27

Unfortunately it wouldn’t power an immersion heater, as they normally draw 3000w.
You would have to fit a more powerful alternator and your engine would need to have an output of at least 6-6.5BHP

Post by **adam2** » 14 Oct 2010, 09:49

Joules wrote:Thanks Adam.

I'll investigate further with some Lister people and see what they say about it.

Is it significant that the alternator runs at 3,000rpm? To me, that suggests that this is what the Lister is running at...

I certainly don't expect it to power the whole house in a BAU fashion, but maybe keeping the fridge going, a few lights and an occasional immersion heater when things start to get bad would be nice

Joules.

Lister engines are relatively slow speed, certainly not 3000 RPM, the alternator is belt driven from the engine and can therefore turn at a much higher speed than the engine.

800 or so VA is certainly not enough for a standard immersion heater, as posted above these are typicly about 3,000 watts.
500 watt water heater elements can be obtained and one of those could be used, but it would take a long time to heat a large volume of water.

Filter Feeder · Post by **Filter Feeder** » 27 Oct 2010, 18:30

Damn, can you make those pictures a bit bigger

0.8kW is enough to run lighting, a stereo, keep laptops and phones topped up. It's amazing what you can do with very little power if you put your mind o it. Get a solid fuel stove for heating, water and cooking. Your only problem now is the washing machine

woodburner · Post by **woodburner** » 30 Oct 2010, 00:23

The combination of your lack of knowledge and electricity is life threatening. For your own safety, pack and ship the generator to me asap, and I will dispose of it safely. I can arrange collection if necessary for a small fee.

Joules · Post by **Joules** » 01 Nov 2010, 12:52

Sorry about the picture sizes

And thanks everyone for your concern about my lack of knowledge in these things... rest assured I know my limitations and appropriate expert advice will be obtained at every stage.

I have, at least learned that it is an LT1 and there is a data sheet here http://www.lister-petter.co.uk/products ... ctByType=3 (you can click the little pink button). It seems to be able to put out up to 7.5bhp, so now to go and have a chat with alternator people and electricians.

J.