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PTO Generator
Jim,You & I seem to be tossing around similiar ideas. I think its important to look at how much you would use it, or "expect" to use it. Are you in an area that is out for 2-4 days at a shot, or 2-4 hours? I know you said you didn't need autoxfer, but why not go with it,if you go to a permanant unit? Secondy, it will be hardwired into your box thus eliminating the welder outlet issue or forgetting to unplug something. A PTO unit will be less expensive to purchase & maintain. On the other hand, it will tie up a tractor, and requires you to connect the tractor and PTO combo in the rain or snow or whatever conditions you are having at that time, and it won't be hardwired. I think I'm heading towards the PTO route, mainly because of cost and low freqency of use. Not to mention that I don't have room for a Diesel generator. As far as the KW, Its always good to have a certain margain for expansion and safety. There is nothing worse than saying "I should bought the XYZ unit" because you wanted to save a few bucks. Secondly, it'll cost much more to fill those shoes the second time.
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PTO Generator
Jim,I forgot to mention that I've previously posted my favor towards self powered units rather than PTO. Mostly due to portability. Unfortunately, I'm interested in 10-12KW unit, which isn't exactly very easy to throw in the back of a truck. So I might as well go PTO. About your welder outlet, IMHO if you have money for a 25KW generator, you can afford a potential $50 bill for having a simple transfer switch wired into your main panel. Keeps things clean and simple, not to mention safer for the wire and YOU. Thats my 2 cents.
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Jim,Sorry, can't help with the decision for a 3 phase gen, but I personnally wouldn't head that route, regardless of local availability. To me its an investment, and I'm not one who hastily throws money at something for instant gratification & satisfaction. A little patience will yield what you truely need and want. I'm assuming you've lived this long without it, a few days/weeks won't kill you. I do think that what you mentioned about KW losses & imbalance is correct. Manual xfer switches can either be purchased as complete kits that are wired into your panel, usually containing muliple brakers. Or you can simply have a dedicated, inexpensive braker & plug for your generator, to feed the panel bus. This is similiar to the dryer outlet method, only the wiring from the gen to the panel is heavy enough to safely support the load, and usually short in length, further reducing losses. An auto switch constantly monitors the line voltage and automatically switches the two. Something to think about if you have a wife & kids at home, while you are away. I would love to by an auto generator & switch, but our frequency of need is once a year maybe once every two years. Although that frequency seems to be greater lately, especially with this crazy weather we've been getting. Oh, and my guess about those local 3phase gen sets, being readily available at such good prices is low demand..Think about it..Take my thoughts with a grain of salt, but I hope it helps.
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09-20-1999, 00:00 
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