Rheostat?

I've built myself a 10Kw diesel powered generator. Using a "Kill-A-Watt" meter, I monitored the output voltage and freq., I adjusted the engine speed to indicate 60hz on the meter and the voltage was around 127v.

Is this an acceptable voltage value? Using the "kill-A-Watt" meter in my home, I measure 120V@60hz.

I'm not wanting to burn-up any electronic devices in my home when using the generator as back-up power source during hurricane season.

Reply to
SomeBody
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Its a little high, but probably fine for temporary power. Ligyht bulds will burn out a little faster, motors will run a little warmer etc. If on for weeks at a time, you might see some damage, but for a day or two, no problem.

Reply to
Bob

The way I was taught was to load the generator at least 50% and set the frequency. Let the voltage wander. Voltage will be high at an idle, but your not using it at idle. If your settings were done at an idle with no load the loaded voltage will be a lot higher than what you posted. Light loading might be a problem voltage wise. Do you have the generator effectively grounded?

Unfortunately most generators under 15 kw do not have frequency controls. They are speed driven. Putting a rheostat on the generator might do more harm than good. Best check with the manufacture of the generator to be sure.

Reply to
SQLit

On Mon, 11 Jul 2005 03:36:49 GMT SomeBody wrote: | I've built myself a 10Kw diesel powered generator. Using a "Kill-A-Watt" | meter, I monitored the output voltage and freq., I adjusted the engine | speed to indicate 60hz on the meter and the voltage was around 127v. | | Is this an acceptable voltage value? Using the "kill-A-Watt" meter in my | home, I measure 120V@60hz. | | I'm not wanting to burn-up any electronic devices in my home when using | the generator as back-up power source during hurricane season.

127 volts is actually the nominal in many places, such as Mexico where it is very common to run 2 phases of 3 phase systems into homes. The line-to-line voltage at 120 degrees phase angle is then 220 volts when the line-to-neutral is 127 volts. That's better than getting 120/208.
Reply to
phil-news-nospam

So in other words, I'm ok running my generator 127V@61Hz no-load. I don't want to burn up or destroy any of my electrical devices.

Currently the plan is to power my shop tools, table saw, drill press, bandsaw (wood), mitersaw, metal-cutting bandsaw, 6hp/60 gal Air compressor, metal cutting lathe, bench grinder.

I've already had my tablesaw runnning and air compressor running without problems, that I can see.

What about electrical devices in my home during a power outage? TV, DVD, computers??? any problem with the 127V no-load? I know the voltage will drop some as the load is increased.

Thanks.

Reply to
SomeBody
050712 1210 - SomeBody posted:

You won't have any problems with what you have installed.

Reply to
indago

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