Different use for a IDI
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Junior User
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Different use for a IDI
Hello all, a couple of friends and myself (including some electricians) were throwing around the idea of using a IDI either 6.9 or 7.3 to power a generator in the back of a locomotive to supply HEP (hotel power) to a passenger train. It would need to be able to power a generator that supplies 500kW worth of 480V power for lighting, climate control, and on board appliances. It would have to be able to have enough horsepower and torque to power the generator and would have to run at a constant RPM (around 2000-3000RPM). I am leaning toward the IDI because it takes up less space than the typical inline 6 Cat or Cummins. Could an IDI be built and bulletproofed to take on a task like this?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: The Big, Oregon
500kw=1000hp, so no. You always want twice the engine hp as kw, so there is some reserve power for starting loads and whatnot.
50kw would be ok, I had a 60kw genset powered by a 6-71 Detroit rated at 150hp, a stock IDI can do that just fine.
50kw would be ok, I had a 60kw genset powered by a 6-71 Detroit rated at 150hp, a stock IDI can do that just fine.
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I see, well the average amp draw of a regular passenger car is 20kW so that would work unless there was a dining car online with a kitchen in the consist. So there wouldn't be any immediate problems with running it at constant RPM most likely?
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From: western Oregon
Most Generators run at 3600RPM. There are some wound to run at 1800. For 120/240 . I'm not sure for 480 . They have SAE adaptors to fit most engines. The most difficult thing will be the flywheel adaptor might need to be Built if you cant find one to fit. It would be running at max RPM against the governor But these types of engines are designed to run all day as long as they have a job to do. research the RPM needed for the 50k generator and see what SAE bell size is needed to mount it to the engine.
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Most Generators run at 3600RPM. There are some wound to run at 1800. For 120/240 . I'm not sure for 480 . They have SAE adaptors to fit most engines. The most difficult thing will be the flywheel adaptor might need to be Built if you cant find one to fit. It would be running at max RPM against the governor But these types of engines are designed to run all day as long as they have a job to do. research the RPM needed for the 50k generator and see what SAE bell size is needed to mount it to the engine.
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Yeah, most of the gen sets in locomotives do use a larger 12L or bigger diesel engine, but the advantage they have is that the battery sets they use are usually located underneath the unit. On the unit we are considering, the batteries are in the back room where we would put the generator. That is why I would like to use a V8 design, because it would be more compact and the IDI diesels seem simple and reliable, with no computer stuff to have to worry about. That propane gen set you have, does it provide adequate power when you crank up large appliances such as the stove, hot water tank, HVAC, etc, or do you just use it to supply power to the bare essentials such as the fridge and things like that?
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Hotshot
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From: The Big, Oregon
The actual International version of these engines have an SAE adapter and flywheel to begin with, so a medium duty or marine engine would be a better starting point. The marine engine would also have the proper rpm governor setup rather than a road governor like an automotive use engine.
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The actual International version of these engines have an SAE adapter and flywheel to begin with, so a medium duty or marine engine would be a better starting point. The marine engine would also have the proper rpm governor setup rather than a road governor like an automotive use engine.
Senior User
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From: western Oregon
There are no different blocks for the SAE application. The SAE adaptor #2 or #3 just bolts on where the 1" Trans adaptor mounts to the Block. I used one on my MH when I adapted it to the Allison AT545.
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Good to know. My main concern for the HEP generator is whether or not it could power a dinner train kitchen. With what you have said, it looks like it could.
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