Bus Driver

Well-known Member
Harbor Freight has a good price at the moment on their 15KW PTO generator-- but none in the stores- must get it by truck freight. Includes the drive shaft and it has a frequency meter- both very important. Northern has a 12KW for a higher price, the drive shaft is separate and extra, no frequency meter.
The HF unit has some good, some bad reviews. I think the positives are good enough for me to take a chance.
Anyone here with experience with these? Rule of thumb is that it takes 2 HP per KW of output.
 
Either a built in frequency meter or purchase a "kill a watt" or what ever they call those plug in meters. 60Hz applied to today"s electrical and electronic equipment is vital.
Use a transfer switch instead of running extension cords through a door or window.
Anybody plugging a generator into a three prong welder plug needs a good swift kick in the backside.
Wear earplugs. Those 3600rpm pto generators are screamers.
Consumer grade generators should not be loaded past 80% on a continuous basis. That nameplate rating is rather optimistic.
 
A gen of that size I wouldn"t buy at either place, no matter the price. I"d stay with major, proven brands. Winpower, Onan, others. I"ve had a Winpower 25/45KW unit since 1977- not a spec of trouble. Transfer switch is required...our local REA will disconnect anyone tapping directly into his wiring. Line work is dangerous enough without dying from foolishness.
 
I wouldn't touch either one. Get a name brand unit.I have a Northern Tools generator in my shop. Five hours on it and it stopped producing power. No manuals available,no parts can be found for it. Going on five years now. Still can't find anything for it. I keep it around because someday I may find one with a bad engine. Plus it makes a good foot rest.
 
I've got a genuine made-in-the-USA Winpower PTO generator.

Nobody can tell me why it doesn't work. Can't find anybody to service it. So right now as it sits it's no better than anything made in China.
 
I knew a guy who found out his new hi-tec gas furnace would run off a generator. Frequency and a clean sine wave is extremely necessary.
 
Been a generator tech since 1968. I have tried every trick in the book. I am thinking open windings. But with no manual to identify what wire does what. Kinda makes it hard to work on.
 
I had a posting on here a couple of months ago about the frequency output and how it can blow up your furnace. Johnson control was who I called and they were very inssistent about it. Blow up a
$200.00 board or $500.OO BLOWER motor. Follow your good advice!
 

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