Generator

[solarman216]

Well folks, new Lister is up and running, was a little concerned at first as it was producing lots and I mean lots of crank case pressure, but the oil level was high and it had not been run for a long time, the electric box was damaged so I know it had not been started for a very long time via this route, and as the starting handle that came with it turned the engine the wrong way:doh so it was not started by this method either, when I drained the oil it was very thin although by the glass check was not old, so guess the injectors are leaking derv into the lube oil, common problem on these but easy fix, any way new filter and new mineral oil, = sweet as a nut, this is the set as now running, Rick

 

[solarman216]

What a difference between this and the SDMO rubbish, stuck a 3 Kw load on it and it hardly noticed, the big test will be my electric air compressor, not been able to use it on the SDMO, this is the control box, but do not need lots of what is in there, so will sort it out when more time, Rick

 

[rayf3262]

Looks cool...
Are you going to scavenge some of the excess heat with a calorifier to pre-heat your DHW?

 

[terrano bob]

well done mate :clap :thumb2

 

[solarman216]

Looks cool...
Are you going to scavenge some of the excess heat with a calorimeter to pre-heat your DHW?

if it had been the water cooled version then yes it would not only provide pre heat but provided a bath full if it was running long enough, but to run the washing machine and charge the batteries it wouldnt not be running long enough nor at a high enough load, Rick

 

[solarman216]

you all out there need to remember you use 10 plus Kw hours a day we use around one to two, Rick

 

[rayf3262]

I don't know much about these old Lister lumps other than they are regarded as very reliable and not too fuel fussy.
So, it's air cooled?

 

[solarman216]

yes this one is air cooled, had a water cooled ST2 in the Narrow boat, pile of trouble keeping it water tight and the Jabsco water pump with rubber impellers would fail regular meant big problems, regards fuel they will run on anything including filtered old engine oil at 50% diesel mix with a bit of acetone, Rick

 

[rayf3262]

I do remember those Jabsco rubber impellers, had some on my boat, twin 2.5L BMC's, changed them all too often!
Shame there's not an easy way to capture that engine heat...

 

[solarman216]

I do remember those Jabsco rubber impellers, had some on my boat, twin 2.5L BMC's, changed them all too often!
Shame there's not an easy way to capture that engine heat...

agreed but at the end of the day I get some heat into my work space, so all is not lost, Rick

 

[solarman216]

Well finally got my head around the control system today, one key switch turn on and the rest is automatic, the the decompression levers are set due to the shut down procedure on last shut down, so injector pump solenoid is energised, contractor is energised to put 24v into DC side of alternator, and it spins up to a fair speed, enough to produce AC which operates a relay to power the decompresser solenoid, engine fires straight away, as full AC is produced another relay powers the main AC contactor, ... on turning key switch off injector and decompresser solenoids drop out and main AC contactor drops as well, the spring controlled de compressors revert to the start condition, engineering at its best, well pleased, and so is the Mrs as she can control it from home with only one switch, even she can get her head round that, on/off simples, Rick

 

[rustic]

What a difference between this and the SDMO rubbish, stuck a 3 Kw load on it and it hardly noticed, the big test will be my electric air compressor, not been able to use it on the SDMO, this is the control box, but do not need lots of what is in there, so will sort it out when more time, Rick

Wow, looking at that control panel, it looks like Faraday designed it.:nenau
Selenium plate rectifiers, I've not seen them for a long time.
They were popular in the 60's before semi conductor diodes became popular.
I also noted a replacement electrolytic capacitor, cable tied at the top.
Keep an eye on this, capacitors in warm environments have a habit of leaking, and then going short circuit as they dry out. Often splitting the case.
It was probably a later replacement for an earlier wax coated paper capacitor.

So note the details on it, operating voltage and capacitance in uf just in case it breaks down. Capacitors are usually the first item to fail in any power supply application.

This is true old fashioned engineering, I'm sure it will provide many years of service.


:thumb2
Rustic

 

[solarman216]

Wow, looking at that control panel, it looks like Faraday designed it.:nenau
Selenium plate rectifiers, I've not seen them for a long time.
They were popular in the 60's before semi conductor diodes became popular.
I also noted a replacement electrolytic capacitor, cable tied at the top.
Keep an eye on this, capacitors in warm environments have a habit of leaking, and then going short circuit as they dry out. Often splitting the case.
It was probably a later replacement for an earlier wax coated paper capacitor.

So note the details on it, operating voltage and capacitance in uf just in case it breaks down. Capacitors are usually the first item to fail in any power supply application.

This is true old fashioned engineering, I'm sure it will provide many years of service.


:thumb2
Rustic

points noted, the reason it is cable tied is because it had suffered vibration damage and lost one of its wires as I pulled it about the other became detached, as it is Ali both ends could not solder new wires on but found some push on type that with a bit of modification held quite well but wrapped it with cable ties to make sure, the solder ends of this are still coated with the yelowish varnish/shelack of the original so leads me to believe it is original equipment, I would have replaced it but had nothing of similar value, but yes it will out last me that is for sure, when it starts it is a dream, and rock solid, Rick