Diesel Generators

How Stuff Works - Generators

The History Of Single Cylinder Diesel Engines

 

History of DieselIn 1983 the world's smallest air-cooled diesel engine was developed by a company called Yanmar. Since the patent expired many companies now produce engines using the same design. It is used in virtually every portable diesel generator around the world.

All these diesel engines are made in countries where materials are very expensive and the labor is very cheap so you need to be aware of a few things before you buy.

First, nothing is made in North America. Other then the Lombardini brand from Italy, all the rest come from China. Companies take shortcuts, use cheap materials and workers who make peanuts. Quality control and parts supply is always an issue. No one ever seems to stand behind their products. They are often one time sales and they know that.

Read more: The History Of Single Cylinder Diesel Engines

How A Generator Works

How a AC Generator Works

Electromagnetic Induction is the production of voltage across a conductor situated in a changing magnetic field or a conductor moving through a stationary magnetic field.  It is this same principle that your generator uses to produce electricity.

The alternator part of your generator consists of two basic parts. The Stator and the Rotor.  The Stator is the part you draw your power from and the Rotor is the electromagnet  that rotates its magnetic field around the stator windings.  The output from the Stator depends on the strength of the rotors electromagnet. That strength is controlled by increasing or decreasing the DC (Direct Current) applied to it.

This rotating magnetic field requires direct current to energize it.  The DC field current is obtained from a separate source called an exciter. Either rotating or static-type exciters are used for AC power generation systems. There are two types of rotating exciters: brush and brushless. The primary difference between brush and brushless exciters is the method used to transfer the DC exciting current to the generator fields.

Read more: How A Generator Works

How Generators Work

How Generators WorkHow a AC Generator Works

Electromagnetic Induction is the production of voltage across a conductor situated in a changing magnetic field or a conductor moving through a stationary magnetic field.  It is this same principle that your generator uses to produce electricity.

The alternator part of your generator consists of two basic parts. The Stator and the Rotor.  The Stator is the part you draw your power from and the Rotor is the electromagnet  that rotates its magnetic field around the stator windings.  The output from the Stator depends on the strength of the rotors electromagnet. That strength is controlled by increasing or decreasing the DC (Direct Current) applied to it.

This rotating magnetic field requires direct current to energize it.  The DC field current is obtained from a separate source called an exciter. Either rotating or static-type exciters are used for AC power generation systems. There are two types of rotating exciters: brush and brushless. The primary difference between brush and brushless exciters is the method used to transfer the DC exciting current to the generator fields.

Static excitation for the generator fields is provided in several forms including field-flash voltage from storage batteries and voltage from a system of solid-state components. DC generators are either separately excited or self-excited.

Read more: How Generators Work