I have a chance to get a generator. The question is though, the tag on it states that the output is 3 phase for all voltages. I would like to use it as the emergency generator for the house, but only need single phase. Is it a major problem to convert 3 phase to 1 phase?
Thanks guys!
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Replies
Yes, it is. Don't buy it.
There's a lot more to having a generator than getting one. There's sizing, exercising, maintenance, and ... most important of all ... the transfer switch. Bigger is NOT better. make a few wrong choices, and you're just throwing your money away.
I use a 3 phase generator here, no problem with single phase from it.
Your tag I don't understand.
PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
The loads to the generator need to be balanced for proper operation. Unless you use a transformer, the generator will have all the load on two of the three 'legs.' Kind of like driving on an unbalanced tier -sure, it works ... but neither as well nor as long as it ought. It is likely that the generator is making 208v three phase .... while your single phase appliances are intended for use on 240v circuits. Then there is the transfer switch. A three phase switch - that third 'leg' needs to go there, even if it's not used - costs a lot more than a single phase switch. Compound this with a massive switch, required by an oversize generator .... and you're spending some serious money. To cut to the chase: Sure, I see all manner of generator "deals" out there .... and, in nearly every case, the equipment is available simply because someone got caught up in the "I want one" madness, and bought the wrong gear. The stuff never worked right, may have become a maintenance headache, and is now being dumped. You're buying someone's troubles. We've had many threads here about generators, and they're worth looking through. The short version is: a generator is only a small part of the solution, and you need to get exactly the right stuff. "making something work" is a sure path to disappointment.
Thanks guys. I have the transfer switch, but was thrown by the 3 phase issue. Before I bought the thing and then got the electrician out, I thought I should get a clue ... from you all.
You came through, as always. Thanks.Frank
Good to hear that it worked. What did that tag mean? 3 phase 120v?PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
3 Phase 120v, I knew it.
He bought a Army Surplus generator. They have a mutliple number of voltages, all three phase.
If you're not hooking it up thru a panel, but using the breakers on the gen set, you'll be just fine.
Now all we gotta do is wait for the posters...
Three phase 120? No such thing
But there really is
LOL... certainly the military has/had a lot of hardware I know nothing about.
Not that I generally know much about what isn't. Just have a pretty good understanding of what I live with.PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
military has/had a lot of hardware I know nothing about
Have a 3 phase 120V 400 Hz switched reluctance generator. Great for welding with rectified 3 phase .
Leave it to you to figure out you wanted it.
I'd probably have left it sitting.PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
nah, you could have used it far a back counterweight on Bertha.
You're right, that has been a problem on occasion. There's only a couple thousand pounds back there now.
Doesn't give that warm fuzzy feeling when you get something that large up on 2 wheels. Jars your eyeteeth when you come down too fast.
But a big ripper was really what I had in mind. Got one of them?
Gonna road her to a clearing job a couple miles away. The manual says she'll do 30 mph. Doesn't sound good.PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
Thanks again guys. I didn't buy it, but was thinkin real hard about it. Trouble was it went too dear...for me at least. You all were right, it was a military gen set with multiple voltages and all 3 phase.Frank
It is likely that the generator is making 208v three phase .... while your single phase appliances are intended for use on 240v circuits.
No, it measures 243v. Regarding balance, the hotter leg of the 3 phase hasn't complained, disconnected.
This generator came from a country store, before that from a dairy operation. The store fried 3 expensive cash registers by hooking up the wrong legs. I didn't tell them that 10 bucks and a trip to Radio Shack (or $3 at Harbor Freight) would have solved the problem. Got it for a song.
No disappointment here, almost a decade later. Clearly, my purchase/use was a good decision. No extraordinary expense hooking it up.
PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!