Homemade Generator

tmckinley

New member

Equipment
JD 1050, Kubota L2850
Oct 2, 2024
5
6
3
Kernersville, NC
Hey folks, New to the forum. I figured my latest project might be of some interest to yall. I recently bought an old V1702 4cyl diesel off of a buddy of mine. It was originally in a bobcat skid loader. It was missing some parts and needed some attention. Hasnt been run in years. I got a flywheel, bell housing, throttle plate, shutoff plate, lift pump, and solenoid. It runs like a champ now. I welded an engine stand with some 1-inch steel tubing. I had an idea after seeing the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and decided to make a generator. I did some rithmetic and research and decided that 15kw should be plenty to run all my home appliances. I have been working on getting some engine accessories like switches, gauges, sensors, etc. My goal is to have a robust, self regulating generator on a budget. I am working on finding a generator head and a governer to regulate the engine speed and therefore regulate the AC frequency. If I opt out of that then the loaded frequency will be lower than it would be unloaded. Any advise or critiques are welcomed.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users

GreensvilleJay

Well-known member

Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
Apr 2, 2019
11,419
4,908
113
Greensville,Ontario,Canada
possible option.....
trade the engine for a good generator ?
If the engine came FROM a Bobcat, it might be worth some serious coins as a replacement ?
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

tmckinley

New member

Equipment
JD 1050, Kubota L2850
Oct 2, 2024
5
6
3
Kernersville, NC
possible option.....
trade the engine for a good generator ?
If the engine came FROM a Bobcat, it might be worth some serious coins as a replacement ?
But where’s the fun in that 😀. I did look into this and apparently the v1702 was a less powerful engine than the v2203. And most people just drop the 2203 in place of the v1702. It would not be worth it for me to sell it and try to find a good 15kw generator
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users

RCW

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
BX2360, FEL, MMM, BX2750D snowblower. 1953 Minneapolis Moline ZAU
Apr 28, 2013
9,155
5,237
113
Chenango County, NY
What is the HP rating of the v1702?

Sufficient to drive a 15kW generator?

Sounds like you’ve researched this quite a bit.

. Engine control seem to be something to look out for when converting uses to a generator or compressor from an an engine that was designed for a skid steer.

Look forward to your project, and certainly hope you’ll document it here!
 

GreensvilleJay

Well-known member

Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
Apr 2, 2019
11,419
4,908
113
Greensville,Ontario,Canada
I'm all for' bodging' ! but.. just thought I'd give you an option before you get 3/4 way through and 'wouldashouldacoulda' is spoken....

engine is 35-40HP, so should power the genny fine.
 

NCL4701

Well-known member

Equipment
L4701, T2290, WC68, grapple, BB1572, Farmi W50R, Howes 500, 16kW IMD gen, WG24
Apr 27, 2020
2,798
4,246
113
Central Piedmont, NC
Might not be as much of a challenge as you’re looking for, or maybe more $ than you’re looking to spend, but you could buy a PTO driven generator and work out a driveline to mate it to the engine. I’ve been quite impressed by my 16kW IMD.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users

dlsmith

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
BX2230, LA211
Nov 15, 2018
1,235
789
113
Goshen, IN
I built a 10KW genset with a Yanmar 3TA72 22HP engine and a generator I bought from Norther Hydraulics. The biggest problem I had was the coupling to connect the engine and generator, but I finally found one that works quite well.
I've used it three times since I finished it up a couple of years ago, and it works perfectly, powers anything in the house, well, A/C, electric range, etc. Burns a couple of quarts of fuel an hour running at 3600 RPM.
Was a fun project, so I would say to go for it.

IMG_20210811_142241190 (Medium).jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: 4 users

Runs With Scissors

Well-known member

Equipment
L2501 TLB , Grappel, Brush Hog, Box Blade, Ballast box, Forks, Tiller, PH digger
Jan 25, 2023
2,437
2,814
113
Michigan
All my gennies are of the "small variety" (less than 6.5kw) so I don't have any real experience with larger ones, but it sounds like a cool project.

I would definitely make it "towable" like @dlsmith did. (Very nice job BTW sir! (y) (y))

I also like that exhaust cap to keep rain out.

One thing that comes to mind is that I have heard that the newer electronics do not 'work and play well " with erratic spikes, so finding some way of cleaning things up (electrically speaking) is a must.

There are lots of talented people here who, "Have forgotten more about electricity than I ever knew", that are willing to give ideas, so keep us posted and remember......Pics, or it didn't happen.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users

BAP

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
2012 Kubota 2920, 60MMM, FEL, BH65 48" Bush Hog, 60"Backblade, B2782B Snowblower
Dec 31, 2012
2,751
867
113
New Hampshire
15kW is just about 20hp at 100% efficient conversion. So factor in mechanical and electrical losses and you need maybe 25hp output from the engine?
You need 2HP per a KW to be able to get the max output from the generator.
 

TerryKing

Active member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
B7100HST-D
Aug 18, 2024
152
89
28
84
Topsham, Vermont USA
arduinoinfo.mywikis.net
Burns a couple of quarts of fuel an hour running at 3600 RPM
Most/many generators rated at 15 kW or so are designed to run at 3600 RPM for 60 cycles because the engines they are usually run with put out near max HP at that RPM.

I expect your 4CYL diesel does not run that high an RPM?? What are its specs?? I THINK that many/some of PTO driven generators have gear-up or Belt-up attachments or are designed to run at lower RPMS. One way or another you need some MatchMaking here. Or you may end up with 30 cycle AC..

Let us know what you find out...

Some good info HERE
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

dlsmith

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
BX2230, LA211
Nov 15, 2018
1,235
789
113
Goshen, IN
All my gennies are of the "small variety" (less than 6.5kw) so I don't have any real experience with larger ones, but it sounds like a cool project.

I would definitely make it "towable" like @dlsmith did. (Very nice job BTW sir! (y) (y))
Thanks!
Also, the springs and axle are mounted on a subframe that comes off with six bolts so it can be set on a slab, and it has vibration dampening pads on all four corners of the frame to keep it from moving around.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

dlsmith

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
BX2230, LA211
Nov 15, 2018
1,235
789
113
Goshen, IN
Hi, What RPM does this run at? 3600 or 1800. Wondering about the question of (usually slower rpm) small diesels for a Generator.
You didn't read all of my post I guess:

I've used it three times since I finished it up a couple of years ago, and it works perfectly, powers anything in the house, well, A/C, electric range, etc. Burns a couple of quarts of fuel an hour running at 3600 RPM.
 

Russell King

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L185F, Modern Ag Competitor 4’ shredder, Rhino tiller, rear dirt scoop
Jun 17, 2012
5,367
1,415
113
Austin, Texas
Most/many generators rated at 15 kW or so are designed to run at 3600 RPM for 60 cycles because the engines they are usually run with put out near max HP at that RPM.

I expect your 4CYL diesel does not run that high an RPM?? What are its specs?? I THINK that many/some of PTO driven generators have gear-up or Belt-up attachments or are designed to run at lower RPMS. One way or another you need some MatchMaking here. Or you may end up with 30 cycle AC..

Let us know what you find out...

Some good info HERE
Generators can be either a 2 pole design or a 4 pole design (there are other pole speeds just like electric motors). If the rotor of the 2 pole design is turned at 3600 RPM (plus the slip) you get 60 Hz out of the stator leads. If the rotor of the 4 pole design is turned at 1800 RPM (plus the slip) you get 60 Hz out of the stator leads.

I assume you are questioning if an engine that cannot get above (say) 1900 RPM can generate 60 Hz power and the answer is yes, if connected to the correct generator. If I misunderstood your asking, I apologize for the needless post.
 

fried1765

Well-known member

Equipment
Kubota L48 TLB, Ford 1920 FEL, Ford 8N, SCAG Liberty Z, Gravely Pro.
Nov 14, 2019
7,843
5,066
113
Eastham, Ma
Hi, What RPM does this run at? 3600 or 1800. Wondering about the question of (usually slower rpm) small diesels for a Generator.
All diesel powered motorhomes have 1800 RPM diesel generators.
 

Bearcatrp

Well-known member

Equipment
BX1880 with loader, mower and 3 point
Mar 28, 2023
630
340
63
Minnesota
Might not be as much of a challenge as you’re looking for, or maybe more $ than you’re looking to spend, but you could buy a PTO driven generator and work out a driveline to mate it to the engine. I’ve been quite impressed by my 16kW IMD.
I just learned about PTO generators. Did a quick search and came up with this one my 1880 can handle. Have no idea what is good or bad on pto generators. I have 2 Honda gas generators that work great and trust.

Good luck on your project. Looks interesting but expensive.
 

tmckinley

New member

Equipment
JD 1050, Kubota L2850
Oct 2, 2024
5
6
3
Kernersville, NC
What is the HP rating of the v1702?

Sufficient to drive a 15kW generator?

Sounds like you’ve researched this quite a bit.

. Engine control seem to be something to look out for when converting uses to a generator or compressor from an an engine that was designed for a skid steer.

Look forward to your project, and certainly hope you’ll document it here!
from what i have seen, that engine is good for 40hp. a 15kw generator at that speed will only eat up about 30hp.