The Craftmans Shop > New from Old
Chariot for a Generator
awemawson:
As some of you may be aware, I recently completed the resurrection of a 110 kva 11.3 litre diesel generator that is destined to run my 100 kva induction furnace. Thread here:
https://madmodder.net/index.php/topic,12989.0.html
I had intended to house it in a lean too building adjacent to my main workshop but a/ this has a sloping concrete floor, and b/ it is quite a distance from where the induction furnace will be operated. Now there is an area next to my 'foundry room' where my wife keeps a few geese, but there would be masses of room to put a small container, or even an old concrete garage, to house the generator.
A concrete garage would necessitate a concrete slab (about £1000 :bugeye: ) and they are unbelievably heavy to dismantle / re-assemble - I know I've done it twice at my old place!.
20 foot containers are locally fetching £1200 in reasonable condition, plus delivery, added to which the EDF three phase power line to my workshop crosses this area and the limited height prevents the hi-ab lorry placing the container where it's needed.
So I hit on the idea of obtaining a substantial trailer, and building a sound reducing 'box' on it to house the generator. This way I can roll it into position with my tractor, and if necessary in the future pull it out again for use elsewhere.
As the generator weighs at least two tons (and probably nearer three) your average baby trailer wasn't going to cut the mustard. Ideally a three axle job, with jack at all corners to take the weight off the tyres when static for months (maybe years!) on end.
Facebook Marketplace revealed the one in the attached photos
awemawson:
Now it was reasonably local - 55 miles away - and theoretically I could fetch it with my Landrover Discovery. The plant trailer was equipped with the 'Eye' style of towing hitch, and my hitch on the Disco is able to take 50 mm ball or Eye, however the eye on this trailer is extremely stout, the width of the 'doughnut' of the eye being too great at 35 mm for my attachment where the distance from the rear of the pin to the housing is only 30 mm.
Fortunately a friend was able to lend me a pin attachment that took the some mounting bolts as mine, and easily took the bigger ring. A slightly nerve wracking journey eventually saw it in the farm yard. The over run brake on the trailer is not functioning and as the trailer is darn heavy braking was 'interesting'. The Disco has a 'tell tale' indicator light that confirms that if a trailer is fitted, it's indicators are working. No such confirmation, so turning was always a bit squeaky, but amusingly when I got back I discovered the the indicators WERE actually working, but as they are retrofitted modern LED ones, they didn't draw enough current to operate the tell tale relay :clap:
So what is the plan. It's up in the air at the moment - I'll take my time and let a plan coalesce in my mind before I get the angle grinder out - but initial thoughts are:
A/ Totally remove the 'Beavertail' arrangement and its associated sloping deck .
B/ Remove the present 'mudguard' arrangement in it's entirety - it's pretty rusty and will get in the way - yes those are scaffold boards that have been bolted to them !
C/ Cut off all the tie down loops from the pair of fore and aft chassis members and clean them up as the starting point for building the 'box'
D/ Obtain and mount four corner jacks
Now the hunt is on for suitable material to make the box itself - desirable properties are:
A/ Weatherproof
B/ Sound reducing
C/ Fireproof
D/ CHEAP !!!!!
So there we have it chaps - I am very open to any suggestions at this stage to guide this project. It won't happen quickly as wrong decisions at this stage will have consequences down the line.
nrml:
Galvanised box profile roofing sheets fixed to a frame on the trailer. Thick fibreglass insulation on the insides for noise reduction.
chipenter:
A insulated cold unit would also do sound https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/11FT-INSULATED-WEATHERPROOF-DRY-STORAGE-CONTAINER-/233284996491 that's the first I found , but I am sure you can do better .
WeldingRod:
Compressed fiberglass duct board has excellent acoustic properties.
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