Fast Hitch Generator

[Bob McCarty]

I was looking at a brochure I just got and it showed one hooked up to the PTO, with a four plug outlet. Will most generators run at variable speed, or would you have to check the PTO rpm's with a tach in order for the output to stay consistent? Looked like it would be fairly easy to put together if the correct generator was available.

Bob

[Eugene]

I have a 10KW Harbor Freight generator head powered by a 25 HP Kohler engine.

I adjust the engine's RPMs with a multimeter. Multimeter set of 200 AC volts, leads in 120 volt outlet. Adjust engine's RPMs until the multimeter reads 120 volts.

3600 RPMs is where the generator head is to be driven at. Voltage output varies by engine RPMs.

The 10KW generator head has 220 V and 120V meters, nonfunctional.

[Bus Driver]

Panel mount frequency meters are available on eBay. Chinese, two -three weeks for delivery. The power at my house was shown on the meter to be within 2 Hz of 60. I suspect that the meter is inaccurate to that extent and that the power is more closely regulated than 2 Hz. While monitoring the voltage is better than nothing, monitoring the frequency is the better approach. 60 Hz is the ideal. The frequency is directly proportional to the speed of the generator. Even at steady 60 Hz, voltage will drop as the load increases.

[DieselDennis]

"While monitoring the voltage is better than nothing, monitoring the frequency is the better approach. 60 Hz is the ideal. The frequency is directly proportional to the speed of the generator. Even at steady 60 Hz, voltage will drop as the load increases."

This is it. Measure the frequency with the multimeter. You can get it spot on, but won't likely hold it there.

[Clint Carter]

I wanted to build a fast hitch Generator also but looked it to it and found out the same thing. That the Hz. is the main thing. Was told the if it was not at 60 Hz. that it would most likely burn up (Not all) but some of the stuff you plugged up to it. After that i did not do much after that. Would still like to build one if i could find a good way to do so.

[Eugene]

It's probably cheaper to purchase a complete generator set than to build one. The generator heads costs about the same as a complete generator set.

Then comes the problem of driving the generator head at 3600 RPMs from the tractor's pto.

[Lee_Petrie]

Just get a 4 pole generator , instead of the standard 2 pole variety ! It will put out its voltage, at 1800, so a little playing with the "V" belt pulleys , It worked for me , @ about 20 amps ! Lee Petrie, Joliet,IL.

[Lee_Petrie]

Appears that "4-pole" generator is a bad idea , up here on the forum ! You do realize , that is exactly what they do in a motorhome /camper, for slower speed gen-set , to keep the "noisy engine speed" down and have the correct output,voltage, at 1800 RPMS ! Mine are WWII free standing 4-pole generators , usually belt powered by a Briggs engine , in their Army life !
Lee Petrie, Joliet, IL.