Using a 400hz generator

[Guest]

I have an op to aqired 115V * 90KVA genset. which runs at 400hz
I did some searching and basically understand the issues trying to get 50 or
60hz
from it, ie not really worth the effort.
However I'm thinking of taking the output => convert to DC => feed to
Inverter to get
mains Voltage @ 50/60 hz.

The unit is old and has a 6 cyl detroit diesel. I'm hoping to use the heat
from it
to heat the pool and the inverter to power the pool pump and maybe the house
in a blackout.
The idea is to run on WVO. Since I don't need anything like 90KVA I'm
thinking of running at lower revs.
From my searches I'll guess at this time that it runs at 2400rpm (but I
could be wrong) If I ran it at say 1200 rpm,
could it produce enough to feed an inverter?
Should I worry about batteries in the system? (i'd prefer not to).
or maybe I could I just run a couple of immersion heater elements (eg from
hot water services) directly from the 400hz?
& buy a small backup genset for blackouts.

Anyone else making use of 400hz gensets?
Appreciate any thoughts.

 

[N9WOS]

I have an op to aqired 115V * 90KVA genset. which runs at 400hz

Anyone else making use of 400hz gensets?
Appreciate any thoughts.

Just for reference.
Things that you can run directly off a 115V 400cycle generator.

Resistive heaters.
Incandescent lights. (halogen, xenon, vacuum)
Compact fluorescent lights.
Large Rapid start fluorescent lights with a magnetic ballast.
(not units with a series reactor)
Universal AC/DC motors will run fine. (drills, saws)

These types of equipment can be ran with precautions taken.

Large fluorescent lights with an electronic ballast.
(pretty much the same as compact fluorescents)
Radio's and TV's should operate fine.
Computers should run fine.
Anything with a switching/rectified power supply should be fine.
The only note I have for the equipment listed above is that
Some switching supplies/TV's radios have a large shunt capacitor across the
ac input.
That capacitor is to block noise from entering, and leaving the supply.
If you hook 400Hz to that type of supply, then the noise filter capacitor
will draw excessive current, and overheat/self destruct.
Before you operate that type of equipment,
you should open up the supply on the unit,
and remove any shunt capacitors before the rectifier on the equipment,
and then the equipment will work fine on 400Hz
Or, for that mater, 10 Hz to 10Khz
And yes, it will void the warranty.


The only things that won't run is induction motors.
And cheep battery chargers that use a series capacitor
to limit charging current.

 

[Steve Spence]

a kill-a-watt does not measure dc, amps or volts. It measures up to
15amps, 120vac.

Steve Spence
Dir., Green Trust
http://www.green-trust.org

Contributing Editor
http://www.off-grid.net
http://www.rebelwolf.com/essn.html

Does it measure DC amps? If so, how high does it go? I found one on eBay
but it doesn't say.

 

[John Bengi]

Does it measure DC amps? If so, how high does it go? I found one on eBay
but it doesn't say.

You plug the kiil-a-watt unit into a wall receptical anf then plug your
appliance into the outlet on the unit. It only measures AC components up to
the limit of a domestic circuit. They are rated very accurate and tested
quite accurate also.