F250 V3 WVO generator?

[GRNBLDR]

Having recently survive a 5 day black out, I have been searching for new ways to generate electricity without a typical small engine generator. Seeing how most people here are creative in using alternative fuels, wondering if anyone has a system to run the truck on an inverter or PTO generator? With the V3 running, it should be an outstanding alternative fuel for emergencies. But I don't know what maximum wattage you can get out of the inverter with the truck running (alternator = max watts, etc), or if the 7.3 is capable of attaching a PTO generator? Any of you survivors dealt with this or have any thoughts?

[Clay]

i have considered a PTO gen for the tractor. It runs on Vegi and can idle for days on a small amount of fuel.
The PTO generators at northern tool aren't to pricy.
For now i have a coleman gas fired genset that works pretty well and doens't gobble too much fuel.

[greasyX]

Diesel generators(KUBOTA) used foer powering message signs (like the ones on I-93)can be had from a paving or road construction company for $1500-$2000 used.This would power your whole house,and comes on a trailer.I saw one on NH craigslist last month for $1295........look around you'll find one............

[skyskijason]

Extended idling on VO is prolly not a good idea. That said, there are a few generators made just for this and a PTO-equipped truck would make it even easier...

[greasyX]

I got it,one of my old box trucks had a PTO on it with a RPM adjuster.I bought it through Quality Insulation in Meredith NH(theres on in Nashua too).This was used to blow insulation into attics,maybe you could write it off for you BIZ(I take it your in construction).............

[clindberg]

I know this is powered differently but thought you might find it interesting.

http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/23/prius-its-not-just-a-car-its-an-emergency-generator/?scp=1&sq=prius%20generator&st=cse

for those who don't want to read the whole article;

A guy wired up an inverter to his Prius and was able to power several things in his house during power outages.

[Jack_Toepfer]

Extended idling on VO is prolly not a good idea.

I hear that a lot, but there are several people living off of the grid on primarily WVO, and their electricity is coming from diesel generators running VO.

Generators usually aren't idiling anyway, right? Wouldn't the "load" from being a generator make it run at a decent RPM?

[Clay]

Generators usually aren't idiling anyway, right? Wouldn't the "load" from being a generator make it run at a decent RPM?

A PTO generator for a tractor makes full power at an idle RPM. The PTO genorator i saw ran at 700 rpms...an idle. Other gensets have load switches that power them up according to load level.

[Jack_Toepfer]

A PTO generator for a tractor makes full power at an idle RPM. The PTO genorator i saw ran at 700 rpms...an idle. Other gensets have load switches that power them up according to load level.

I apologize, as I was reading I lost the fact that he was going to run it off of the PTO on his truck after you mentioned the PTO on your tractor.

[Clay]

the PTO on the truck will idle up to 1200 rpms - the high idle mod i have done on mine - and would not be a bad thing i don't think.

[skyskijason]

I hear that a lot, but there are several people living off of the grid on primarily WVO, and their electricity is coming from diesel generators running VO.

Generators usually aren't idiling anyway, right? Wouldn't the "load" from being a generator make it run at a decent RPM?

IIRC, it only takes about 20hp to generate 10Kw, that is not much load on a PSD. I'm sure one could gear the genny to operate at say 1100 rpms, and possibly avoid disaster - but that would be awfully inefficient.

The problem is combustion temps. Diesels seem to tolerate VO better w/higher temps in the combustion chamber.

Here's some science to go with that. Flash Point of diesel is 125-250*F and FP of VO is over 600*F. Now there is more than just FP playing a role in the combustion chamber, but it stands to reason that the hotter the fire the better the VO will burn.

For me, this helps justify the accelerated tire wear consistent with generating the highest possible combustion temps!!:chuckles:
Yeah, my driving habits have changed after a couple years of not having my right foot connected to my wallet...

[HORSEMOVER]

For me, this helps justify the accelerated tire wear consistent with generating the highest possible combustion temps!!:chuckles:
Yeah, my driving habits have changed after a couple years of not having my right foot connected to my wallet...

For all those that needed justification - now you have it.

[muns53]

Here's a really cool idea -- generate some/all of your home's electricity on a Lister diesel/WVO generator. I stumbled across this when the thread gave me an idea to research WVO generators. I have this crazy notion of running a WVO generator and/or installing solar PV and/or putting in a geothermal system to provide my energy needs to get off the grid...:chuckles:

http://www.centralmainediesel.com/or...sp?page=L09989

Central Maine Diesel in Bangor, ME

[powerstroke73L]

There are lots of folks over on infopop who have used various lister knockoffs to go off grid or supply emergency power. They run at very low RPM but they're also very crude machines (very simple design, loose tolerances) so I think its safe to say that they tolerate WVO very well. They were designed to provide power for gensets, water pumps, farm operations and other tough jobs in remote places where replacement parts, proper tools, and quality fuels are often scarce. I wonder how they would run on WMO, ATF, etc...? That way you could park one next to a 275 gallon oil tank and fill the tank with a mixture of filtered waste oils from a variety of sources to be at the ready when its needed. I'd just make sure the exhaust stack was nice and high

*EDIT*

Check this out - http://www.f1-rocketboy.com/lister.html