[Vwdiesel] Re: genset applications

Area31 Research Facility stephensrw at stn.net
Fri May 20 11:07:56 EDT 2005


Wearing out quickly so as to increase oil consumption so that it will dry the sump in less time than it uses up a tank of fuel is what killed mine.  Siezed solid.  Just like it was apparently designed to do!  Many low oil alarms/shutdowns fail to save the engine.  Junk!!!!!

Rob
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: slatersfb at aol.com 
  To: stephensrw at stn.net ; rbp at 4u2bu.org ; vwdiesel at vwfans.com 
  Sent: Friday, May 20, 2005 10:48 AM
  Subject: Re: [Vwdiesel] Re: genset applications


  I am one of the uneducated. What happens that causes rapid failure at 3600rpm? VW diesel is singing happily at that speed.

  Bob 
   
  -----Original Message-----
  From: Area31 Research Facility <stephensrw at stn.net>
  To: slatersfb at aol.com; rbp at 4u2bu.org; vwdiesel at vwfans.com
  Sent: Thu, 19 May 2005 19:18:30 -0400
  Subject: Re: [Vwdiesel] Re: genset applications


  Bob in NY,

  I am using an ancient British 1500 RPM alternator, a 4-pole designed to make 50 Hz.  It was the only thing I could find within budget.  Spun at 1800 it makes 60 Hz up to about 10 kW and proper voltage for North America.  If I were to spin it faster it would come apart.  I am not impressed with the way it was made inside.  I think centrifugal force would tear the wires off the armature at higher speeds.  I could put a 2-pole, 3600 RPM alternator on this plant and do what you say, but that would only be worthwhile if I needed 20 kW or more intermittently and if I wasn't as worried about saving fuel or wearing out my engine in short hours.  My need is for a long lived plant that makes up to 8 kW and gets very good fuel economy.  I have that now. It runs just fine on the proper diesel fuel.  In fact on diesel I can run it at 1200 RPM and get two kilowatts from it to charge batteries at even less hourly fuel consumption except that the efficincy drops quite a bit.  It quiets right down and the surplus heat output all but disappears.  I expect it would last a very long time in that mode.

  BTW, 3600 RPM is like a swear word to serious genset people.  3600 RPM is good for the folks that sell those crappy consumer generators, not good for the uneducated people that buy them and have to throw them away after 30 hours use.

  Rob
    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: slatersfb at aol.com 
    To: stephensrw at stn.net ; rbp at 4u2bu.org ; vwdiesel at vwfans.com 
    Sent: Thursday, May 19, 2005 2:08 PM
    Subject: Re: [Vwdiesel] Re: genset applications


     Any chance you can run your generator at 3600 rpm? Technically, I don't know what's involved, but your motor would be a lot happier there & I'll bet it would soot up a lot less. 

    Bob in NY


     
    -----Original Message-----
    From: Area31 Research Facility <stephensrw at stn.net>
    To: rOLf peCHUkas <rbp at 4u2bu.org>; vwdiesel at vwfans.com
    Sent: Thu, 19 May 2005 00:01:32 -0400
    Subject: Re: [Vwdiesel] Re: genset applications


Rolf, All,

I also appreciate the advantages that a fixed, indoor installation could
provide a alternate fuels engine.  I have not yet tried WVO but have been
experimenting with 2 micron filtered WTF (Waste Transmission Fluid in this
context).  My plant started off with a 1984 1.6NA out of a Jetta.  The
engine had next to no oil pressure and severe blowby so I found a good shape
1980 1.5 NA with which to replace it.  During tests of the 1.6 (it actually
ran pretty well once started),  I saw better output power and smaller
throttle openings for a given load on WTF than on straight diesel.  With the
1.5,  I do not get as much power with the WTF and after an hour or so the
engine cokes up and the RPM drops.  Switching to clear diesel and running it
extra hard with throttle bursts clears it up and then it runs fine.

When I just pulled the injectors from the removed 1.6 engine to try to
liquefy the carbon deposits in the rings lands with solvent soak I noted
that the injector heat shields were coked up so badly with solid carbon that
only the tiny needle from the center of each injector was protruding into
the pre chamber.  That must be what the WTF does to these engines at 1800
RPM.

This was a huge disappointment to me as I was counting on using WTF as a
main fuel for power generation here.  If the problem will clear by diluting
it with a small amount of diesel that would be better than nothing.  Maybe
is is particulates in which it will be rich smaller than 2 microns that are
causing the carbon buildup.  If I have to build a vacuum distillation plant
to process my WTF that would take all the fun out of it.  I have the option
of going to WVO still but would have to modify my fuel handling equipment a
bit, but not if I can get used Canola that stays liquid.  My present system
is the result of a lot oif $$ for components and effort.  It is dual fuel
and has separate tanks and valving for both clear diesel and WTF.  Each tank
has it's own filters (10 and then 2 micron), and in the case of the WTF the
oil is heated to engine coolant temp in a liquid to liquid heat exchanger to
remove water and thin it prior to hitting the filters.   It  probably has
cooled to 130 degrees F when it hits the FI pump inlet.

In the USA the government has a Federal Department, a Bureau that appears to
look after automatic transmission fluid.  I could contact the BATF for
suggestions and ask them WTF regarding  my coking problem?  I suspect though
if I mention coking they will probably refer me to the DEA. The DEA would
not have juristiction to assist me in Canada so they would likely transfer
my request to the RCMP (Research in Canada for Multiple uses of Petroleum).
That would probably not give useful results.  I suspect I am more expert on
this subject now than any government agency.

If members here have any good technical ideas I would appreciate your input.
That BATF stuff was meant as a joke in case anyone isn't sure. ;)

Rob

----- Original Message -----
From: "rOLf peCHUkas" <rbp at 4u2bu.org>
To: <vwdiesel at vwfans.com>
Sent: Wednesday, May 18, 2005 12:47 PM
Subject: [Vwdiesel] Re: genset applications


> Rob et al:
> gensets are maybe the ideal application for running SVO/WVO as a fuel
> if you're looking at home heating oil to save $, look at waste veggie
> even closer
> static installation, constant heat, controlled, protected environment
> my 93 EuroVan has been running like a dream on waste veggie for a while
> now
> I can tell you it is a real trip and a treat to take a several-hour
> drive and never see that diesel needle move an angstrom unit
> the oil is free for the taking, pre-filtering is not a big deal once
> you get the hang of it, the exhaust smells great (especially when I'm
> running straight canola)
> all this and no involvement with the petroleum industry
> I cannot recommend this more highly
> Rolf
>
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