Otherpower.com: Steam Powered Generator

This short video shows our new steam powered generator. The engine is a 1903 6hp CB & C, coupled to a 1940 Lookout Boiler. We built the alternator much along the lines of our wind turbines. At 200 rpm it puts right at 2000 Watts into my battery bank. It's easy to sustain this burning local wood. Nice backup generator and loads of fun. Checkout the webpage about it all here: http://otherpower.com/steamengine.shtml

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• steam
• engine
• alternator
• wind
• turbine

[DODGYCLUTCH]

as part of an arts project I need to build a similar system. would you be willing to advise or even get involved? where are you based?

[otherpower]

I will not pretend to be an expert on this stuff, but I'm happy to answer any questions. I'm in Northern Colorado. You can contact me through my website.

[trips2012]

This is, by far, one of the coolest things I have ever seen... I'm sure there will be people out there(haven't read the comments yet) that will say since you are burning things it's not sustainable, but when the lights go out, I would rather have something like this...plus it sounds wonderful!

[otherpower]

If I burn wood, then it is absolutey sustainable, because more wood is growing around me all the time! And dead wood, if I don't burn it... will slowly oxidize and release the same amount of CO2 anyhow - I am just accelerating that process! But she really does prefer coal ;-)

[kerpal2343]

how much psi does the boiler produce to the steam engine?

[otherpower]

I try to run the boiler between 80 - 90 PSI.

[RockstarMan1000]

I love how you built the alternator on this engine, works just like a motorcycle. No belts or brushes and virtually bulletproof. Well Done !!!

[enimvalentine]

Nice engine good job. Reminds my of the Diesel Lister engines we use in Nigeria.

[wilatemodel]

how many gallons of water per hr?

[venkbabu66]

your engine is nice !!!

Post full videos ?

[jorgecalivalle]

@otherpower ,What kind of load did you put to the alternator to run this test ? . Running it without a load could, burn it, right?

[trips2012]

@otherpower The point of the oxidation and the dead wood(or any plant material) is something that I try to explain to people that go on about such things....I understand the need for some people to want to be more self-sufficient and less reliant on some outside source for their well-being, which, of course, gets me labeled as some right-wing nutter that thinks Big Brother is out to get us all....why is it that wanting to not live like some good little worker bee a bad thing?

[KenMacMillan]

When this engine starts it's producing 31512 LbFt (foot pounds of torque)! By the time it gets to 200 rpm though it drops to 157.56 LbFt