kabota generator

[moose]

hello all
i have a kabota genertor in my bus conversion
when i start it it runs on fasat idle it does not slow down with load change
what is the cause and can it be fixed
thank you
trevor

[fe2_o3]

Gen sets run at a certain RPM to maintain 60 cycles/second.  You don't want it to slow down...Cable

[JohnEd]

What Cable said....sorta.  That would be correct if and only IF your gen is asking 120 VAC and doing it at 60 cycles.  It should do that all the time and some drop rpm for a moment while they adjust to the load change.

Start you gen WITHOUT A LOAD.  Measure the output voltage and verify that you are making 120.  If yes, then switch on an AC unit and read the voltage while the load is applied...should be 120 still.  Switch in all the AC units and any other load up to the max rating of the gen and verify that the voltage is stable.

Please tell us what model/rating your gen might be.  Also, what is the current or watt rating of the load/s.

John

[usbusin]

Your Kubota should always run at 1800 rpm.

[Bill 340]

Your kubota should always run at 1800 rpm, is not really true, not saying your wrong, just not correct, It seems there are a lot of what is referred to as Blackmarket kubotas,  they are not really, just a slang the USA kubota dealers use, they are made in england and feature stamford generators. Those will run at 3600 rpm, and don't change much when under a load, i looked for 4 years to find out this info, I had one and loved it. I now have another 5.5 and it runs 2 airs with no problem, finding parts for these is easy if you know where to look, USA kubota dealers are forbidden by  their franchise, service ,sell ,parts or repair them,  If this is what you have or anyone else out there need parts or info here is the contacts that sell them in the USA, My 5-5 diesel is only 24in by 24 in, generator itsself is side mounted and belt driven, made for boats and tractor trailer units.  Purchased from, Next generation power in Jacksonville fl. they assemble them there, and sell parts. There # is 888 463 9879 I hope this helps someone as it drove me nuts for a few years, not that I wasn't already.

[usbusin]

Bill 340, I never heard of a Kubota running at 3600 rpm.  My Kubota tractor is governed at 2500 rpm maximum.  I believe you are thinking of gasoline engine RV generators that might run at 3600 rpm, but for a diesel Kubota that would be a very high rpm.  Are these blackmarket engines diesel?  Just curious.

[Bill 340]

Nope diesel, as I stated I have one and one before. Seems to me it is 2800, but some one else told me a while back its either 1800 or 3600 they were made both ways, I know it runs faster than the usa Kubotas, but runs cheap

[TomC]

Many of the small Kubotas run very happily at 3,600rpm.  Many should consider the 3,600rpm version since they are smaller, and will still give many thousands of hours of running time before wearing out.  They can be silenced easily too.  Panda marine generators use 3,600rpm engines that are just about silent when running (in a sound enclosure). 
My Mercedes 300 turboDiesel will rev to 5,000rpm, with 4,600rpm being its' normal full throttle shift point.  And that's with 381,000 original miles on the engine and transmission (neither have been overhauled yet). My car cruises at 3,400rpm at 75mph. So a high speed Diesel can run a long time.  Good Luck, TomC

[artvonne]

  That is true Tom, but slower lasts even longer, are more fuel efficient, and generally quieter. At least well made ones. I dont think a China diesel falls into that category, lol. Some 1800 rpm Gens have been known to clock over 30,000 hours before having major problems. Thats 3 1/2 years continuous running.

[TomC]

That's true Art, but how many of us will ever come close to 30,000 hours of running time on the generator (if running the generator 4 hours a day-that's over 20 years running everyday)?  3,600rpm gensets are generally smaller, weigh less, and cost less then the 1,800rpm units.  With the fuel consumption issue, both just sip Diesel and still consume much less then a gasoline generator.  Good Luck, TomC

[gus]

So continues the myth of 3600 vs 1800 rpm. The quietest generator I've ever seen is a gas, 3600 rpm, liquid cooled Honda.

If an engine is designed for 3600 rpm it is just as efficient, quiet and long lasting as an 1800 rpm one.

[oldmansax]

 

My Mercedes 300 turboDiesel will rev to 5,000rpm, with 4,600rpm being its' normal full throttle shift point.  And that's with 381,000 original miles on the engine and transmission (neither have been overhauled yet). My car cruises at 3,400rpm at 75mph. So a high speed Diesel can run a long time.  Good Luck, TomC

What kind of fuel mileage do you get with the Mercedes? I have been looking at one for my wife.

TOM

[TomC]

All my driving is around L.A., so at times stop and go (for me not very often.  Living on the west side and working on the east side [opposite traffic] has its advantages).  I average 25 mpg cruising at 75mph most the time (yes I can do that most of the time here in L.A.) or what the traffic is flowing at (which at times during the day can be 90mph).  If I slow down to around 60mph, it will go up to 28mpg. Great cars, but repairs are pricey.  Mine is an '84 which was the last year of the good ones. Starting in '85 they went to a different turbo setup, lowered the horsepower and went with a 190 model transmission which is to small.  There are alot of the 123 chassis running around still, and Mercedes makes most of the parts for them still.  Best of all, there are no electronics on the engine or transmission (small electronics for the A/C).  Any of the 6 cylinder Diesels (mine is a 5 cylinder) have aluminum heads which won't stand being overheated. As compared to mine being all cast iron. Good Luck, TomC

[eagle19952]

FWIW>>>> about a nickel,
To set your Gen RPM, a good check is to adj for 60 cycles vs 120 v
just a tip works for me.

[smokedetector]

I have a 300sd and get about 22.