240D Generator - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

yellowbenz · #16 06-28-2006, 06:41 PM

I think he meant the fellow died from carbon monoxide poisoning (gen in garage).

Kevin

1984 190D 5 speed
1979 240D 4 speed

blueranger · #17 06-28-2006, 08:08 PM

carbon manoxide poisioning and the wife is nearly a veg.

So dont put this in your garage... use an out building... you never know when the thing might catch on fire or the exhaust might poision you in your sleep.

If its in a little out building it will keep the noise away from your house and if the worst happens then all you wake up to is a little bon fire.

dave1shere · #18 06-28-2006, 09:38 PM

Thanks for all the replies. Didn't get back on my computer until late today... Always something mechanical to fix around here.

Will try to answer some of your questions. Yes, I am going to run it on VEGGIE, like I am running my 300TD right now. Have a 2 tank system to start on Diesel and switch to VEGGIE.

STILL NEED TO KNOW how to setup a TACHOMETER because the instructions on the generator specifically say to keep it at 1800 RMPS and the generator does have a Hertz Meter BUT on my first test runs it was VERY HARD to hold it manually to keep the meter on 60HZ. I used the transmission because there was NO PRACTICAL WAY TO BOLT STRAIGHT TO THE FLY WHEEL and be able to use the existing motor mounts without the transmission mount to hold everything steady.

YES, in answer to another question, it was because of all the hurricanes my wife and I were without power (living here in rural Florida) for up to 30 days on and off. Living further out means you are the last to get turned back on.

Wanted such a large generator so we could run AC and not suffer like in the past. Most people are getting them, of course they buy various sizes BUT since I have VEGGIE, I want to be able to use it and what better than power your house.

Oh by the way, the box fan you saw in the front will be replaced with a good electric fan and exhaust will be piped away from the house. Going to weld a Mercedes Benz muffler system on it.

Yes I kept it as two pieces with the little drive shaft in between to make it easier to break down and store in the garage.

It is a bit over kill cause couldn't find a 20KW at the time so it is a 25KW with 50KW surge. (GOING TO CHARGE THE NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN THEY NEED POWER - HA HA)

Back to original question - what do you all think would be the easiest way to hookup a simple, aftermarket tachometer? Possibly with the alternator? I do have the original sensor that I understand from doing some searches on this forum that goes to the front vibration dampener or the amplifier needed for
the stock setup.

ANY IDEAS WOULD BE WELCOME

I am enclosing another picture that will show the dual tank setup for WVO.

Thanks for all the replies

Brian Carlton · #19 06-28-2006, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave1shere

It is a bit over kill cause couldn't find a 20KW at the time so it is a 25KW with 50KW surge. (GOING TO CHARGE THE NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN THEY NEED POWER - HA HA)

Yes, this is my original concern. You have this huge generator for which you'll only be able to get about 14kw (estimated) if you run the engine at 1800 rpm.

This will probably be sufficient for your needs, but, you won't be powering the neighborhood any time soon.

Now, if you ran the engine at 3600 rpm...............

N41EF · #20 06-28-2006, 10:03 PM

It doesn't HAVE to be 60hz. Most everything electrical will run from 50Hz to 60hz plus. Refrigerators, the A/C, well pump, won't care. Anything electronic might have an issue, but it you are at 58hz it isn't a big deal. My A/C at home fluctuates a bit. We used to shift bus frequency a half hertz just to listen for any unusual vibrations. I think if you monitor frequency, and use it as a course adjust you'd be fine. Using the engine's vac source, you might be able to use an after market cruise control to maintain engine speed.

Where di you find the generator? And what did it set you back?

TheDon · #21 06-28-2006, 10:18 PM

that is one clean engine.. did you paint it or something?

biobenz240d · #22 04-15-2007, 11:11 PM

Check out this website www.manddsmallengine.com/tinytach/diesel.html I found this when I wanted to put a tach on my 240D

hope this helps

300SD81 · #23 04-15-2007, 11:20 PM

What about instead of attaching the gen directly to the engine, making a pulley and belt/chain system to run the engine at 2400rpm or something to drive the generator? Would get more power out of it.. Could even set up different "gears" to run it at different speeds depending on load and still produce the same frequency.

pawoSD · #24 04-15-2007, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDon

that is one clean engine.. did you paint it or something?

I thought it was clean too! Very shiny! Though it is pretty easy to de-grease/pressure wash an engine when its out of the car...

I am jealous of that setup....looks sweet!!

For my needs I am contemplating a small 5 or 7kw propane generator. At 70% load they can run for nearly 25 hours on a single 20lb propane cylinder. Mess free, quick connection for new fuel tank, and the engine runs super clean. They sell them in various places for less than $500, and you can get bigger ones too.

Sbean · #25 04-16-2007, 01:46 PM

How about using surplus power/waste heat to purify water, especially if your water has THMs ? Steve

vstech · #26 04-16-2007, 02:17 PM

what gear could you use to spin the motor at 3600RPM and have the gen running 1800? 2nd 3rd? give it a try! get all 60 horses out of that motor! even better, hook up the vacuum and use an auto tranny that will shift gears for you and set up the valve body to keep the "car" at 1800RPM... if it's possible.
John

pawoSD · #27 04-16-2007, 04:08 PM

If you left the selector in the position for "3" or "2" I bet you could easily achieve 1800 output from the tranny with 3600 input from the engine.

rwthomas1 · #28 04-16-2007, 04:16 PM

Get rid of the tranny. Use an industrial flexible coupler bolted to the flywheel. Any machine shop could drill the flywheel to the couplers bolt pattern. The flexible coupler is mounted to a jackshaft running in two large industrial pillow block bearings on either side of a double sheave. This will remove the side load from the engine crankshaft and allow adjustment of the pulley sizes to properly match RPM of the engine to the generator head. It all needs to be on the same chassis. With that setup I would worry that the load would cause that generator head to flip over or spin with disastrous results. A cheap CC aftermarket unit should hold the RPM pretty easy. RT

pawoSD · #29 04-16-2007, 05:11 PM

I agree....some sort of anchor is going to be needed.

asnowsquall · #30 04-16-2007, 05:26 PM

Get rid of the tranny for simplification, even if it was free, its one less thing to break. Hopefully you can get something to control the engine RPM's that is simple, and dependable. I like mechanical so what I'm wondering is if there isn't a way you could do something like what a lawnmower does, use air for the governor. Maybe run a squirrel cage fan right off the front pulley and run this air with a hose over to a butterfly valve which actuates the throttle. Not sure how this could be made safe....