Diesel Generator

[Dillon]

Hey! Some time ago at the LHBA website, before it was revised, there was information about a fellow member who had a good lead for purchasing diesel generators. Anybody remember? If so, is the information still available? Seemed like it was a China diesel or close to that. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks! Dillon

[ChainsawGrandpa]

Might have been me. I have an 8kw CDI (China Diesel)
Might be a Jinma or a Changfa 1115. My wholehearted
(double exclaimation!!) advice would be to visit
www.utterpower.com

George at Utter Power is probably the best resource for
diesel generator power. Also, George is local (Kent, WA),
has a $10 CD for even more info, and has Listers, and
Listeroids that are doing some very amazing things.
A Listeroid at 650rpm and 3kw is a lot of power with little
cost if you design you demands properly.

When you sign his guest book, mention the LHBAA & Skip.
He already has heard of Skip and thinks highly of him.

-G'pa

[ChainsawGrandpa]

Should have mentioned....

More Power to You! by Skip Thomsen is a "must own" book.
Skip deals directly with the CDI unit but all the information
easily translates to the Listers And Changfa units. The book
is about $10 but is worth $$thousands.

If you use the grid you may just change your mind after
reading his book.

-G'pa

[Rumble]

Has anyone done any cost comparisons between running a diesel generator and grid charges.

For example, electric utility costs in my area are about 10 cents per Kw hour.

Diesel fuel isn't free, so what would be the costs in fuel running an efficient henerator.

[ChainsawGrandpa]

The cost depends on type of batteries, type of generator, coolant
system, and type of fuel. I'm hoping to get by on less than $.07/
Kwh. Right now I am paying the 2nd or 3rd lowest rate in the
nation...about 2 1/2 cents, however, I have taxes, fees, more taxes,
meter rental, etc. the price works out to much higher than 2 1/2 cents.

The seven cent cost should compete with what I'm paying right now,
but or log home will use less than 1/10th the power our power-hog
house is using right now. Planning on less than $15/month. The
6/1 Listeroid with the new 3 Kwh head, bio diesel warm-up, and
straight veggie oil for running, closed loop batch type coolant system,
and fork lift batteries with 4-150W 16V photovoltaic panels should be
very cost effective. The system I described should be about $10,000
with an underground dome to place everything in, fuel tank, etc., but
a simple, reliable and high quality system can be built for under $2,500.
Somewhere i found a web site where some guy has installed a simple
photovoltaic system to power his home. It was $700.

-G'pa


Where we are moving the power goes out for days at a time and costs
a lot more than whhat I am presently paying. Making my own power
would give me much greater reliability, cleaner power, and a low
price per Kwh. Being self reliant is just an added bonus.

[donjuedo]

Old dead thread, come alive!

Recently, I noticed a Listeroid Diesel engine is available here in Pennsylvania. The link describing it, also mentioned previously, is:

http://www.utterpower.com/

Contact info is there. The owner passed away, and the widow is looking to sell. For those unfamiliar with these, here's a little background. These engines are slow speed, comparatively quiet, with lots of cast iron, and last a very long time. Everyone in the "hobby" know these are made a bit shoddy in India, but expect to do some work on them before they last forever. Then they do.

Now, the EPA has been exercising their authority to control import of these engines. If I understand correctly, it is still legal to import, but you must be able to certify that they meet emissions standards, and that is reputed to cost a ridiculous amount, like $20,000. Practically, then, import is illegal.

I imported an Indian air compressor this year, and it must be the heaviest air compressor ever. As an air compressor, it is not subject to EPA authority. I can't lift it. I really have to work to barely scoot it on a smooth concrete floor. I could convert this to diesel, you see. The import process was expensive and painful -- it cost more than the item. I don't recommend it. If this Listeroid hobby is one you want to pursue, this is an excellent opportunity. Had I known, I would have waited.


Peter

[rreidnauer]

If you don't buy it, I want it!

[donjuedo]

If you don't buy it, I want it!

Go for it!

I thought you might be interested. :-)


Peter

[rreidnauer]

I didn't realize the whole scope of this sale. I see the seller has had over 200 offers since Sept. 11th, so it's a pretty fair bet there's no chance at getting one.

[donjuedo]

Wow! Yeah, I didn't realize the scope either. These used to be available on ebay for $1300 or so, but that's all shut down now. There is a guy who builds them in Washington, but his cost over $4,000.