Generator for UC-60 Power Unit

A

Arizona Mike

501 Club
Would like to mount my UC-60 power unit on a trailer with a generator and panel to make a mobile power unit. Its my understanding that if I use a welder/generator I would not need a clutch as these are free spinning generators. Also, the pto generators I have seen seem to require a lot more HP to drive than would the welder.

My other question is of course, where can I find a generator like this without a power supply. The majors manufacturers don't sell just the "business end" of their product and i have no leads on used units yet.

Not sure as to how much electricty could be cranked out by the UC-60, but would like to get about 5000w continuous and 7000w surge. The manual for the UC-60 says its rated at 2700 rpm, but the engine runs about the same speed wide open as do the Cubs. Maybe the UC-60 needs a different governor, but 1800 rpm should crank out more than enough power with the right welder hooked up.

Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.

Thanks
 
I did some reading while shopping for Cub manuals at RPR. In 1970, the C-60 engine was rated at 13 hp at the flywheel without a fan, generator or hydraulic pump but still 9 hp at the drawbar at 1800 rpms. Don't know what the hp rating is for your UC-60 at any particular rpm. The numbered LoBoys power ratings of 15 and 18 hp are probably measured at the flywheel without accessories as well.

Figure on 2 hp per kw, so you can run a 5 or 6 kw generator from a Cub engine without a Cub attached. Your fan and generator will sap a little bit of power as well as the drive mechanism for the power head. You'll need to determine the loaded speed of your engine and calculate the pulley ratio for your particular power head's operating rpm. Determine the direction your power head must spin before building a mounting frame as that will determine how you mount the power head and design the drive.

These are my thoughts so far.
 
Hey AZ!
I am seeking asylum in Canada right now (see the history of AZ and Sylvester Mowry) with Rudi banging away at a keyboard next to me!.

At any rate I have found a huge variety of interesting stuff at government liquidation on the web. They contract sell federal surplus and it may take you a while to find exactly what you are looking for, but give it a try.

The link is http://www.govliquidation.com/ .

I got my M105A2 (1 1/2 ton trailer) for $200 and have seen a lot of interesting stuff on the site.

Good Luck!
 
Harbor Frieght tools has a belt drive generator. Around $400 I think. I have thought of one to use with a TJD wisconsin I have.

Best,
Mike
 
Here is an interesting site that a friend told me about. I like this guys DIY approach, and the ST generator heads sound like a very good choice for the project. I have emailed George re the feasability of the UC-60 as a power source with the ST. Will get back with more info later. In the mean time check this web site 8)

http://utterpower.com/
 
I am going with an 7.5KW ST Chinese made generator head. They are massive (340 lb) and look like they are the same vintage as the old power unit :D These are used as power supplys throughout third world countrys and are supposed to run forever with simple maintenance. They are, as Carl said, made to run at 1800 rpm max., but should turn at higher rpms without melting or flying apart :roll: ..that's what I'm told anyhoo


The 5 KW needs 12 hp. I think this power unit can deliver that at the flywheel. Would like to try the 7.5 KW head, but that one calls for 15 hp. What do you think?

112131590.jpg
 
You can install a larger power head, don't expect the engine to produce enough oomph to actually give you 7.5 kw for any length of time unless you increase the RPMs of the engine for more power. But the drawback is you'll have to run a belt drive to get 1800 RPMs at the power head. A heavier flywheel will store more energy to compensate for high momentary draws, like starting electric motors for pumping water or AC and such, without overwhelming the engine.

Those Lister diesels have piqued my interest as well. They look like a ton of fun!
http://photos.cubfest.com/displayimage.php?pos=-22

Experimenting with the new Cub image server. Can't figure out how to post an image!
thumb_lister.jpg

Hurray! Did it!
 
Hey guys just a warning!!!!!!

Make sure that the power head that you buy is 60 cycles....
Harbor freight & northern hydraulics both sold power heads that were only 40 cycles.....
Just make sure or the only power use is lights only as It will fry a motor.

PS: Where on planet earth is the country that uses 40 cycles I hvae heard of 30 cycles but not 40cycles??????????????
 
Here is the situation where speed up of RPM will help. Cycles are a product of speed or RPM. You would also need control of the exciter or field current too. If a generator gave 40 cycle at 1800 Rpm You cold get 60 cycle at 2400 RPM. Main question is will the bearings take the added speed. Most ball or roller bearings would. I guess most sleeve bearings would also.
Isn't Englsnd 50 cycles? Think I read that one time.
Bill
 
Guys:

I have a question.... :roll: :shock: :lol: 8) :?

When most people talk about horsepower today :roll: , the lowest common denominator principle is applied correct :?:

In other words, for most people to understand, when horsepower requirements are quoted for equipment such as generator heads, those requirements would be quoted using the general understanding of Developed Horsepower such as is often quoted for Lawn and Garden or Portable Generators or Log Splitters and such.

This would be in actuallity an erroneous number especially when that quoted or spec'd requirement is used to determine the head size of a generator for a power unit such as the C-60.

At least this would be my understanding. :? :shock: :lol:

So, if lets say the 5kw head that Mike shows above would require a 12hp Briggs & Stratton, Honda or Tecumseh engine to power it. If that is the case, then we all know that the actual horese power is far less than the developed, which is the maximum hp capable under bench/no load testing. This however is not the real world. The C-60 should be able to handle the 5kw head and probably the 8kw head as well.

If I am not mistaken didn't one of our fellow Cubbers actually use an 8kw head in a previous project? :?:

My JD111 is a 20 hp engine and I know that there is no way it is going to pull my plow as easily or as effortlessly as Ellie will and according to the Developed Horsepwer ratings, the JD would appear to have twice the power available as Ellie would.

Now, I know, I probably opened up a can of worms.... but, the reason why I am asking is that Jethro will probably never run as a tractor again, and my current plan is to re-build and restore his C-60, all of the power train and the front axle and rear drop axles, but leave out the gearing at the rear end and only utilize the PTO. The front spindles and rear drop axle's will just be stationary mounting points so that Jethro can be setup under my deck in a covered unit to run as a backup power plant for my house... well at least that is the plan. :roll: :lol:

Clarification of this murky progression would be wonderful...
 
A can of worms is right!!!!
A 5kw needs 12 horse to run it to start on most generator heads 5kw is the max surge voltage not the continuous out put.
So the 12 horse will run it easily.
A 5 horse Briggs makes 6.5 horse on a Dino loaded a 3200 rpm not the rated 3600 rpm.
Most are rated low because of CYA.
2nd is a single cyl eng. has 1 power stroke per 4 revaluations where as a 4 cyl has 4 power strokes per 1 revaluation this = a steady smooth power.
example if it takes 1 hp electric motor to run a saw (smooth contiguous power) it will take 5 to 6 hp for a internal combustion eng. to do the same.
This is a rule of thumb.

Last & not least is a 5kw gen. that you are only drawing 1 kw of power from will hardly use 12 hp but as draw increases more hp is needed to
keep up with the load & maintain the correct RPM which is needed for the correct # of cycles (60 cycles).
It is like when you use your buzz saw as you feed the wood to the blade the eng. gov. compensates for load & increases the fuel to maintain the correct RPM.
I think that a C60 eng. would run a 5kw head with ease.
Also remember that every bearing every point of friction uses hp up so less things moving the better.

Hope this helps!!
 
Dale:

Then, if this be the case, and I really did think that Jethro would be able to handle this easily....

what would be an ideal head to use as a back-up power supply to take over during power outages in a storm.

I would need to power at least 3 freezers, 1 fridge, lights, a tv and or radio and of course our computers..... our forced air funace (1/4 hp electric motor) and our sump pump :? Occasionally we have outages that can last 24 to 48 hours depending on how severe the blizzard is... :roll:

Knowing that the highest draw is always on startup, and then the draw does settle back to what 20 or 30 percent of initial, woudl an 8 KW head be sufficient to run my basic requirements :?:
 
Rudi":2qcpagny said:
Dale:

Then, if this be the case, and I really did think that Jethro would be able to handle this easily....

what would be an ideal head to use as a back-up power supply to take over during power outages in a storm.

I would need to power at least 3 freezers, 1 fridge, lights, a tv and or radio and of course our computers..... our forced air funace (1/4 hp electric motor) and our sump pump :? Occasionally we have outages that can last 24 to 48 hours depending on how severe the blizzard is... :roll:

Knowing that the highest draw is always on startup, and then the draw does settle back to what 20 or 30 percent of initial, woudl an 8 KW head be sufficient to run my basic requirements :?:
Click to expand...

Rudi,
Easy way to fig. is 120volts X the rated amps on what ever frig.,frezzer
or what ever will = watts needed.
Ex. 1/4 hp motor using 120volts & drawing 3 amps needs 360 watts.
 
Thank you guys, I really appreciate any and all input on this as it will not be an inexpensive project and I need to get everything right the first time.

I have never understood about horsepower calculations, but horse sense tells me this UC-60 will spin the 5 KW or 7.5 KW head. I think that is everyone's consensus ...am I right :?:..The unit is governed at 2500 and is running strong 8)

You can see close ups of the bearings, windings and all at the utterpower.com website. I have an email in to Mr. Breckenridge, the site owner/moderator, but I have not received an answer back yet because he has decided to go off grid form awhile :)

I good friend of mine will be designing the panel and switches for this project, but I would welcome any of your thoughts and ideas. Mr. Breckenridge will have some good ideas about the panel too.
 
Mike:

I know I would and maybe others would appreciate drawings/specs on the panel, switches and all so we could figure out our requirements as well.


Credit where credit is due would be a definite.... and be another nice upload to the server...
 
For Emergency power in case of a failure you need to cut yourself off from the grid completely. You don't want to try to supply the world.
You are best if you only feed some circuits and not all. That way you need a smaller alternator.
Rudi talks about three freezers and a fridge. Best if you manually control them so only 1 is running at a time. Yes you can make a citcuit to do that but rudi trembles when he hears the word el;ectricity. Not the best guy to shoot the trouble when Murphys Law operates. Easier to say I had this plug in for an hour and it is no longer running Let me remove the plug and put the 2nd freezer in. Again it keeps the source small and protects it by preventing 2 or 3 motors from starting at the same time and overloading the source and burning something out. It is not running motors causes the trouble it is starting them.
I have a problem with Cow Boys 2 or 3 gal a day. I had a small generator set when we started the house and before we were hooked in to the Edison. We only got 2 or 3 hours on a gal of gas. All we ran was a refrigerator, Skill saw and lights. Well we did run an air compresser for the nail gun. part of the day.
Running an alternator with a cub would be like mowing moderate grass as I see it. How long does a tankful last in a Cub mowing. Generator I expect would be that long. At $3.00 a gallon the goes $15,00 a day. Not bad if the Hi line is out but no good for every day.
Bio diesel was great when no one else was using it. Now with half the world into it you will have to make your own as Cowboy is talking about.
In Billys case his job has him off the winter to moniter his operation. He is in and has farm contacts as well as doing it for him and his brothers will give it a good shot to work as prime power. Billy will have a minumum bill to contend with from the local power Co. In this case he might leave something on the Power co to use the juice he will be paying for. I am not trying to say that it can't be done. It can but you have to all yor ducks in a row for it to work successfully.

Bill
 
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