I need a BIG load

[Iron Beaver]

I am in a unique situation. Usually I need more generator and less load, but now I need more load and less generator. With the much-awaited start of my SAE-600, I need something demanding to hook it up to every once in a while, as I've heard old Cat engines can develop problems if not loaded heavily once in a while.

Output is 40V 600A (or maybe 800) so I'm thinking of something in the 400A range because the duty cycle of this machine is unknown. Any ideas anyone?

 

[jlv03]

Resistors/heater elements.

Is it really 40V?

 

[Iron Beaver]

Well that's what the tag says. I assume, given it is a CC power supply that voltage is variable

 

[LXCam]

So an iron beaver looking for a big load eh??

Nope, I won’t go there...

Weeellllll maybe it’s too late



See if you can hunt done some used load bank equipment. Other then that maybe borrow someone’s commercial building to run for a couple hours.

 

[nadogail]

You might try a large tank with plates that can be lowered into a water based solution, I believe they are called Salt Boxes. The conductivity and generator load can be varied by changing the surface area of immersed plates and the conductivity of the water.

To aid in your visualizing the device; think of an extremely large tuning capacitor partially immersed in a tank of salty water. The greater the surface area immersed in the solution the more load your generator will see, if you cant get enough conductivity to load your generator add salt to the solution in the tank. If you have too much load reduce the area of the immersed plates or the salinity of the water.

Load testing a generator with salt box will create heat in the solution, so you may need both a supply and drain.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

what on earth would you use a 40v genset for? you sure its not 480v?

 

[mogandave]

What are you going to use it for? I assume it's DC, yes?

 

[mike93lx]

what on earth would you use a 40v genset for? you sure its not 480v?

It's an engine driven welder. 40v is the welder output

This was the first thing that popped up on youtube

 

[BillK]

Get some scrap metal, a couple of welding cables and some large stick electrodes and go to it. Thats what its made for and should load it down plenty. 1/4" stick will draw well over 200 amps.

 

[wrenchguy]

Older diesel powered welding machines need "work". This is what i use to load my 40volt slobberpus, 6, 27 volt, 2500watt searchlight bulbs. Once a month i load my vintage diesels.

 

[Metallitubby]

Beaver needs a big load. Got it.

 

[nadogail]

Older diesel powered welding machines need "work". This is what i use to load my 40volt slobberpus, 6, 27 volt, 2500watt searchlight bulbs. Once a month i load my vintage diesels.

That is a sweet sounding machine and it will run circles around many "Modern Welders"

 

[TractorJeff]

Many, many years ago a Company I worked for load tested some big transformers using "water tanks" with just fresh water.
City Supply in, heated, down the drain!