Genset RPMs

[Rich Greenberg]

Are medium sized generators (say in the 5-15kw range) made only to spin at 3600rpm or are they also available in 4 pole units spinning at

1800rpm and 6 pole units at 1200 rpm?

The slower units are probably going to run much quieter, and wear better.

[Speedy Jim]

Yeah,quieter, but it requires a bigger physical size engine to produce the same HP at lower RPMs. That's why they run them as fast as possible. Jim

[m Ransley]

3600 rpm gaseous and diesel which are you standard home-construction gens last 300-5000 hrs. A 300hr gen is likely 300$ at HD, 5000 hr a honda. 1800pm gaseous and diesel are available and last 10-20000 hrs 900 rpm diesel are available in probably 2kw and up and last up to 110000 hrs.

For people who know try alt.energy.homepower

[Greg O]

Yes, at a higher cost. A 7K generator may need a 11 HP engine at 3600 RPM. Beings most engines are rated at 3600 RPM and run perhaps 1/2 that HP at

1800, you will need a engine that is rated for 22 HP @ 3600 RPM to run that generator at 1800 RPM. Also four pole gennys are rarer so that adds to the cost. Greg

[Rich Greenberg]

Thanks Greg and several others for the clarifications.