"spaco" wrote in message
.. .
I will address only 3 of your questions:

Existential Angst wrote:

How are back-up generators generally wound, as well as prime generators,
such as coal, hydro, etc?
I have a couple of 6.5 KW Onan 120/240 volt 60hz generators. They both
have wound rotors and stators. One takes the power off the rotor via slip
rings and the other (newer) takes the power off the stator. In this case
the field,(the rotor) has dc supplied to it via slip rings. Even though
there is usually enough residual magnetism to get generation going, both
sets "flash" the field with some of the starting battery juice to make
sure the field current builds up quickly.

Will a typical 3 ph motor throw out juice, if driven by a pony motor?
Yes. I bought the Nigel Smith book mentioned in another post on this
thread. I focused on the setup called "C-2C", using a 3 phase motor to
produce single phase ac power. It does work. I am using a 5 hp 3 phase
electric motor which is being driven by a 12 hp Briggs gasoline engine
that is running at about 2200 rpm and belted to produce 60 hz at that
engine speed.

Any primers on this stuff?
Yes, The Nigel Smith book is the one to get. Also, type "induction
generator" into youtube and you won't see the light of day for about a
week.


FWIW,

I have had the Nigel Smith book for nearly a decade now-actually bought the
thing--if there is a prolonged power outage here what I do is I run a 50 hp
3ph motor as a single phase induction generator off from my 23 hp kubota
tractor PTO--which easily powers the entire house including starting a 5 ton
heat pump compressor..

C2C connection gives you single phase off of a 3 phase motor, rpm ( 60 hz )
is via throttle governor and isnt particularily critical, 20% is probably
okay but if in doubt use a ole telechron clock, and compare with a quartz
unit..they bothe should read within a few seconds after a minute's time on
line...if not, then adjust your throttle to suit.
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