Pto generators...

[24/7 farming]

Pondering the idea of investing in a generator. Its not going to be used that often, but it's too late looking for one when it is needed. The (hopeful) lack of use is why I am steering towards a pto driven one. There will always be a tractor here available to drive it, it makes it mobile if needed, and no clambering to try and get the bloody engine running in the dark after it lying up for 9 months.
As our heating is all electrically based, I would like one with avr which might allow it to run the ground source heat pump??, the pump is rated at 12kv, but it never runs above 50%. (I will be consulting electrician about this end of it all, I am just really looking for a steer from some real life users as to if I am on the right track at all!)
Was looking at the possibility of a welder generator too, but not sure if these come with avr, but I assume I could just plug our existing stick welder into any standard generator for the occasional out and about usage that we would need?
Anybody got a setup anything like this??

 

[wdah/him]

we have a 25kva here for the tractor, great job but needs ran up at least once a year to keep capacitors right in it.

 

[eagleye]

watch out for damp in the windings as it spells disaster. some have a small heater to keep dry. obviously would need plugged into mains for that to work, as above better used more frequently to keep it right.

 

[mixed breed]

I've two old listers
one is three phase, 20kva. Runs weekly, milling mixing and augering. she's had a hard life but just keeps plodding on.

Then I've 15kva iirc single phase used for power interruption, runs the parlour, cools the milk,runs the borehole, kettle and toaster

They're great things and although they may not get used a great deal, they're a godsend when you need them.

As for welding I recall a friend used his PTO generator to work his newish inverter arc welder and blew it up.. I'm not sure what was at fault (maybe his speed light was faulty) but just be wary.

 

[Scrapjockey]

You should ask your electrician what your exact requirements are.Some inverter welders are not suited for use with generators.Have portable 15kva PTO generator on the lifts here runs milking then cooling.House on same meter so can power it from farmyard.It is essential that it gets a run every couple of months.If you can store it beside the vacuum pump it helps keep it dryer.