GEK Wiki / Genset models and sellers of interest
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Genset models and sellers of interest

Page history last edited by jim mason 14 years ago

return to Practical Engineering

 

This is our in-process scratch pad of gensets, engines and genheads of interest for woodgas rigs.  This inventory includes both complete gensets you can buy off-the-shelf that are appropriate for woodgas, as well as engines, genheads and other parts relevant to build your own.  The below is not exhaustive nor is it attempting to priveledge one seller or manufacturer over another.  It is just intended as an orientation to the options, as many of us are trying to figure this out at the moment.  Please add more options and comment on the below as you see fit. 

 

 

The LP and Natural Gas genset options.

 

The LP and nat gas gensets are the closest typical EQ that fit well with wood gas uses.  They are spark ignition, and at least in the higher dollar or quality range, often have higher compression to take advantage of the higher detonation resistance of propane and natural gas.  There are many below 3600rpm options in these gensets.  The "lowest end" ones are rv rigs, which are usually in the 2200rpm range.  Some of the home standby gensets are less than 3600rpm, but very few.  Proper industrial gensets are usually 1800rpm.  Below that you are in more exotic realms. 

 

As in most endeavors, you get what you pay for.  But there are exceptions to this of course, and some small and boutique manufacturers offer exceptionally good values on internally built units.  www.generatorsales.com below appears to be such an exception.  Of the typical large brands, the quality and price relationships seems to me to go in this order.

 

BEST

Cummins / Catepillar / Detroit Diesel

Kohler / Honda / Kawasaki

Generac

Briggs and Stratten (though their V-twins are japanese manufactured and much better than their common mower engines)

Chinese knock-offs

WORST     

 

The 3600 portable jobbies are usually intended for 500hr serivice.  In this category there is a large difference between a Honda portable and a chinese knock off or generac.  The later seem to be on the verge of self-destrcuting from first start.   The home backup power and RV units seem about 2000hr.  Industrial gensets are 10,000hr or more. 

 

 

Here's the inventory of some models and sellers of Interest

 

 

www.generatorsales.com

Lots of price/value optimized, built in house units.

prime pact 5.5kw 2500rpm rv lp genset  $2k.  http://www.generatorsales.com/order/PrimePact-50LP-5000-Watt-Propane-Quiet-RV-Generator.asp?page=50LP

quiet pact 5.5kw lp enclosed.  $2.7. http://www.generatorsales.com/order/QuietPact-55LP-5500-Watt-Propane-Quiet-RV-Generator.asp?page=55LP

honda v twin 10kw, 2700rpm.  $4.5k  http://www.generatorsales.com/order/04592.asp?page=H04592.

mitsubishi 22kw 1800rpm, $8.7kw.  http://www.generatorsales.com/order/01710.asp?page=F01710

ford quiet run 30kw for $8.8kw, 1800rpm. 9.7:1 compression. enclosed http://www.generatorsales.com/order/01722.asp?page=F01723

gm 50kw for $11.6k http://www.generatorsales.com/order/01730.asp?page=F01731

ford 85kw for $12.2k  http://www.generatorsales.com/order/01735.asp?page=F01736

ford 110kw for $15k.  http://www.generatorsales.com/order/01740.asp?page=F01741

 

Cummins

cummins gaseous series 20kw for $10k.   10.5:1 compression.  http://onsitepowergenerators.com/cummins-onan-rs20000.asp

cummins 30kw for 12k.  http://www.generatorjoe.net/product.asp?0=247&1=255&3=2956 

cummins industrial.  5.5kw at 2400rpm.  http://www.cumminsonan.com/cm/products/propane/compare?gensetId=25

    same in rv.  both appear to be 8:1.  http://www.cumminsonan.com/rv/products/propane/compare?gensetId=137 

onan rv 5.5kw lp genset at 2400rpm. compression ratio 8:1.  $3.5k http://www.generatorjoe.net/product.asp?0=248&1=258&3=162.

 

Kohler 

kohler 25kw lp genset at 1800.  8.2:1 compression

http://www.kohlerpower.com/industrial/detail.htm?sectionNumber=13261&categoryNumber=12061&filter_1=60%20Hz&prodnum=124561 

kohler gaseous series.  1800rpm.  $7k for 10kw.  http://www.generatorjoe.com/SubCat.aspx?categoryId=583

or $8.5k for 18kw.  1800rpm.  http://www.generatorjoe.net/product.asp?0=247&1=577&3=3258

 

Generac 

The Quiet Source Series of industrial generators are all 1800 and in proper enclosure.  Their home backup power gensets are all 3600rpm. 

generac 22kw lp genset at 1800.  $8k.  http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200365487_200365487 

generac industrial 22kw lp/natgas. $7.5k. 1800rpm.  http://www.norwall.com/product_info.php?cPath=8&products_id=714

generac rv 7.5kw at 2571rpm.  http://www.norwall.com/product_info.php?cPath=31&products_id=70 

generac rv quiet pact series.  22rpm.  6kw for $3600.  http://www.generatorjoe.com/SubCat.aspx?categoryId=383

generac 27kw lb/nat gas 10k.  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001ET6W9Y/

 

Detroit Diesel

detroit diesel, 25kw 1800rpm.  9.3:1 compression.  $9.8k for open.  with sound enclosure, $13k.  http://www.generatorjoe.net/product.asp?0=502&1=665&3=3563

 

 

Genheads

4 pole ST genheads.  Joel koch at Powerful Solutions in Oregon is the standard starting point and with the most experience in the imported geheads and related lister and china diesel engines.  There are now lots on ebay.  Georgia generator has a very large collection of ST heads on ebay.  They have both brushed and brushless genheads in the 5-50kw range.   I had not seen the brushless ones.  They also have the ST heads with SAE 3 and 4 moutns for direct to engine set ups.  These are new to me too.

http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Georgia-Generator_Generator-ST-SAE-4_W0QQ_fsubZ469355012QQ_sidZ54603752QQ_trksidZp4634Q2ec0Q2em322

 

Detroit Diesel 2-71 two stroke "convert a diesel option"

dealer of used units: http://affordablepower.com/Generators.htm

dealer of rebuilt units: http://www.emerson2-71gm.com/Gensets.html

Both also sell larger two stroke detroits.

 

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Engines Only:

 

he more i look at the full range of v-twin implement engines, the more i like the kohlers. the honda V-Twin series tops out at 24hp. that is rated at 3600 on gasoline. once you lower the rpm and derate for woodgas, the kw numbers out fall quickly. ideally i'd like to be able to get a larger displacement base engine. maybe a series of sizes using the same engine for standardization. maybe offer this particular pallet sized quad shaped gasifier/engine set up in 7.5kw, 10kw and 15kw forms.

the kohler engines would make this possible. they make the v-twin up to40hp. see their info here:

http://www.kohlerengines.com/onlinec...20PRO%20CH1000

they also make essentially the same thing in a water cooled version for a little more money, up to 31hp. water cooled is nice for easy CHP. many users would be interested in the ability to easily tap the radiator water for home or greenhouse heating. see the water cooled ones here:

http://www.kohlerengines.com/onlinec...m?series=Aegis

the kohlers are a bit more expensive than the hondas. but they also tend to come with a proper industrial cylindrical plug filter which has a single pipe in for easier wood gas attachment.

 

 

Comments (1)

Dave S. said

at 9:15 pm on Sep 4, 2009

There are some (used) genuine Lister HR.2-G Natural Gas engines that the seller lists as rebuildable selling for $450 a pop on ebay. Even though it says "local pickup only" the page says they "ship worldwide". Apparently, they have 108 of these. Sounds like something people might be interested in?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Lister-HR2-G-Industrial-Natural-Gas-Engine-Rebuildable_W0QQitemZ120377185665QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item1c070a1581&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1262

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