[Milsurplus] Mil generator

[Dr. William J. Schmidt, II]

I would rebuild the motor it too... far easier and much cheaper than 
hunting/ finding a replacement motor with the same specs.  The motors on 
those 10kW gensets are way bullet-proof/ actually over-kill for the 
generator.  In the 80's I rebuilt an inboard boat motor that had been 
submerged for a while.  It worked perfect, and ("key") was about 20% the 
cost of a replacement.  If you are not up to the mechanics... most local 
high schools or trade schools look for projects like this to "practice" 
on...  You may get it done for the price of the parts.

Sincerely,

Dr. William J. Schmidt, II  K9HZ
Trustee of the North American QRO - Central Division Club - K9ZC

Email: bill at wjschmidt.com
WebPage: www.wjschmidt.com

"It's not what you take with you... but what you leave behind that counts. 
Live each day as if it were your last."


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kenneth G. Gordon" <kgordon2006 at verizon.net>
To: "Mel Vance" <icra at galaxynet.com>
Cc: <milsurplus at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Saturday, March 11, 2006 11:36 AM
Subject: Re: [Milsurplus] Mil generator


>> Have a mil surplus generator from the late 40's (Army), early 50's (Air 
>> Force) and/or
>> mid 50's (Army Corps of Engineers) (has tags from all 3...not sure if 1 
>> or all are
>> correct)
>
> Hmmmm...interesting. Could you take some photos of the various tags and 
> pass
> them to some of us? I think we can help you.
>
>>
>> Has several ratings on power depending on voltage and phase...all about 
>> 10K at
>> 220VAC
>
> OK. The military had quite a number of generators which were able to 
> provide the
> following voltages, depending on where a particular switch or a set of 
> jumpers was
> set:
>
> 110 VAC at full power (whatever that was) single phase
>
> 110 VAC at FP, three phase
>
> 110/220 VAC single phase
>
> 220 VAC three phase
>
> All the above at full power (10K in your case).
>
> I had a 5KW genny like this once.
>
> Is yours something like this?
>
>>
>> Has a 4-cylinder motor in it that is full to the top with water....
>
> Usually, despite that type of problem, that can be fairly easily fixed. Do 
> you know
> the cause of there being water inside the cylinders? At least I assume 
> that is what
> you mean: water both inside the cylinders and in the crankcase? Possible 
> causes
> are blown head gaskets (very easily fixed), cracked head (not as easily 
> fixed, but
> still possible), cracked block (again, not as easily fixed as a blown head 
> gasket, but
> still fixable).
>
> If your engine's block or head is cracked due to water with no antifreeze 
> being left
> in it during extremely cold weather, usually below zero, then in my 
> experience, the
> engine IS ruined and although it COULD be salvaged, it is probably not 
> worth the
> effort. However, if this really is the cause, the radiator would be ruined 
> also, and
> you have not indicated that is the case, so I am betting on the blown head 
> gasket.
>
>>
>> Anyone have any info on the HP that it should have so I can locate a 
>> replacement
>> engine...not looking for a restore to original...this is for emergency 
>> power for the
>> house....
>
> As Robert Downs told you, the conversion factor for THEORETICAL HP is 746
> watts, more or less, per HP. So at 10 KW, that is about 14 HP, more or 
> less.
> However, in my experience, it is always wise to about DOUBLE that for a 
> practical
> engine, so say at least 25 HP, and I would use a 30 HP engine.
>
> Since as Robert Downs mentions, the HP vs RPM curves for both gasoline and
> diesel engines are quite "steep", you really should know the RPM at which 
> the
> generator normally runs. Then you will have to choose a replacement engine 
> on
> the basis of its HP/RPM curve.
>
> Now, here is where it gets interesting: in my experience, those gen plants 
> which
> have the voltage choices listed above available, normally use a 2 pole 
> alternator.
> This means that for 60 Hz, the generator has to be turning at 3600 RPM 
> constantly.
>
> (60 CPS * 60 seconds = 3600, and each cycle contains two "pulses", one per 
> pole)
>
> 4 pole alternators turn at 1800 RPM to provide 60 Hz, 6 pole alternators 
> turn at
> 1200 RPM, 8 pole alternators turn at 900 RPM, and so on.
>
> Since those military engines are far more robust than automotive engines, 
> if it were
> ME, I would rebuild the engine you have rather than try to find a 
> different engine.
>
> Ken Gordon W7EKB
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