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D311 Generator Questions

D311 Generator Questions

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apclarke
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Hello all,

I am the proud new owner of a D311 generator. It has run for 2288 hours and will hopefully run some more. It's located in Waterloo, Ontario and is headed to Port-au-Prince, Haiti in the next few weeks.

I've attached a photo of the information plate. Information summary is as follows:

Model - D311
Volts - 120/240
1 Phase
RPM - illegible
Cycles - 60
No. Leads - 10
33kVA, 30kW, PF 0.91, 240/120A
Exciter Part No. 2L1819
Exciter RPM - 3020
Excitation- 58 Nominal Volts, 28A
Connection diagram is shown.
Generator Frame No. 445
Generator Part No. 2L449
Generator Serial No. A40RL25

Questions:
1. Does anyone know how old this machine is?
2. The information plate indicates this machine is set up to run 1 phase. Can it be configured to run 3 phase?
3. This machine has a pony motor. Can it be converted to electric start?
4. Does anyone know of a source for manuals for this machine?
5. How do people feel about the reliability of these machines? Does anyone have any known problems I should be on the lookout for? It is easier to source parts and do repairs here than it will be at its final destination.

Thanks a lot for your assistance, I really appreciate it. I've attached some additional photos of the generator.

Regards,

Andrew

[attachment=25966]IMG_1931.jpg[/attachment][attachment=25967]IMG_1926.jpg[/attachment][attachment=25968]IMG_1848.jpg[/attachment][attachment=25969]IMG_1843.jpg[/attachment]
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Sun, Nov 16, 2014 11:06 PM
Old Magnet
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Need engine serial number (located on left rear of main engine) to date the machine.
Yes, machine can be converted to direct electric start(depending on s/n). Look for a blank off plate below the pony clutch where the starter would mount. Original option was 24v system with glow plugs which require hard to find D311 glow plug pre-combustion chambers and a different cylinder head. Check yours to see if you may already have these with a plug in the normal glow plug port. D315 glow plug chambers can be rethreaded to adapt to the D311.
Probably can get by without glow plugs in a tropical climate.

It does not appear that a single phase generator can be rewired to 3-phase. At least I could not find a wiring diagram or instructions to do so but I am not an expert here. Attached is the info on converting three phase to single only. Note that the single phase generator has a higher rating than three phase units.

Do you know if the new installation requirements are for a 60 cycle or 50 cycle generator?
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Mon, Nov 17, 2014 12:58 AM
Steve A
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I would guess its around a 1955, would need the serial number to give a better Idea as to the age , I have the slightly older version(4V serial no) that is still a d311 but runs 1200 RPM to make 20 KW, if yours is a 30 KW it likely runs 1800 RPM to do it (and will have a 6V serial no).

Most are set up for 3 phase and people want single phase. My electrical knowledge is limited so I will let someone else comment on convertibility. If you use the search function you will find lots of info on the subject.

Some came with factory electric start and I believe all are set up for it, glow plugs are usually fitted for electric start units so that might be a consideration

Manuals come up on e bay on a regular bases.

Keep in mind there is a much newer 311 cat engine also so don't confuse the manuals, the newer has the injector pump on the opposite side of the engine.

Reliability is excellent, mine has 7000 hours and runs like a new one.
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Mon, Nov 17, 2014 1:02 AM
Old Magnet
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Reply to Steve A:
I would guess its around a 1955, would need the serial number to give a better Idea as to the age , I have the slightly older version(4V serial no) that is still a d311 but runs 1200 RPM to make 20 KW, if yours is a 30 KW it likely runs 1800 RPM to do it (and will have a 6V serial no).

Most are set up for 3 phase and people want single phase. My electrical knowledge is limited so I will let someone else comment on convertibility. If you use the search function you will find lots of info on the subject.

Some came with factory electric start and I believe all are set up for it, glow plugs are usually fitted for electric start units so that might be a consideration

Manuals come up on e bay on a regular bases.

Keep in mind there is a much newer 311 cat engine also so don't confuse the manuals, the newer has the injector pump on the opposite side of the engine.

Reliability is excellent, mine has 7000 hours and runs like a new one.
According to my rack setting charts Caterpillar manufactured generators are rated at 1800 and 1500 rpm. Other manufacturers such as Louis-Allis and General Electric are rated at 1200 or 1000 rpm.

A 6Vxxxx designation is for a D318 marine engine.
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Mon, Nov 17, 2014 1:21 AM
cojhl2
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Reply to Steve A:
I would guess its around a 1955, would need the serial number to give a better Idea as to the age , I have the slightly older version(4V serial no) that is still a d311 but runs 1200 RPM to make 20 KW, if yours is a 30 KW it likely runs 1800 RPM to do it (and will have a 6V serial no).

Most are set up for 3 phase and people want single phase. My electrical knowledge is limited so I will let someone else comment on convertibility. If you use the search function you will find lots of info on the subject.

Some came with factory electric start and I believe all are set up for it, glow plugs are usually fitted for electric start units so that might be a consideration

Manuals come up on e bay on a regular bases.

Keep in mind there is a much newer 311 cat engine also so don't confuse the manuals, the newer has the injector pump on the opposite side of the engine.

Reliability is excellent, mine has 7000 hours and runs like a new one.
[quote="Steve A"]I would guess its around a 1955, would need the serial number to give a better Idea as to the age , I have the slightly older version(4V serial no) that is still a d311 but runs 1200 RPM to make 20 KW, if yours is a 30 KW it likely runs 1800 RPM to do it (and will have a 6V serial no).

Reliability is excellent, mine has 7000 hours and runs like a new one.[/quote]

I would think the engine RPM relates to the frequency. Power output relates to the windings. It does however make since if the gen has to output more power it may require a faster rotation.

Just saying more info is needed.
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Mon, Nov 17, 2014 2:59 AM
Old Magnet
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Reply to cojhl2:
[quote="Steve A"]I would guess its around a 1955, would need the serial number to give a better Idea as to the age , I have the slightly older version(4V serial no) that is still a d311 but runs 1200 RPM to make 20 KW, if yours is a 30 KW it likely runs 1800 RPM to do it (and will have a 6V serial no).

Reliability is excellent, mine has 7000 hours and runs like a new one.[/quote]

I would think the engine RPM relates to the frequency. Power output relates to the windings. It does however make since if the gen has to output more power it may require a faster rotation.

Just saying more info is needed.
50 cycle unit is different generator and exciter.
Factory single phase units are rated higher than 3 phase units.
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Mon, Nov 17, 2014 5:51 AM
drujinin
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Reply to Old Magnet:
50 cycle unit is different generator and exciter.
Factory single phase units are rated higher than 3 phase units.
Now if someone would come forward offering to swap a 3 phase for a 1 phase unit!
3 phase units are very common place as stated and most likely 12 leads.
1 phase on 10 leads, I would say are not convertible to 3 phase.....?
Either way, Nice score on the Unit!
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Mon, Nov 17, 2014 6:20 AM
mrsmackpaul
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Reply to drujinin:
Now if someone would come forward offering to swap a 3 phase for a 1 phase unit!
3 phase units are very common place as stated and most likely 12 leads.
1 phase on 10 leads, I would say are not convertible to 3 phase.....?
Either way, Nice score on the Unit!
all I know is not much as normal but back when I was an apprentice electrician I learnt

frequency can only be changed 2 ways speed and the construction of the alternator ie number of poles if you put a frequency meter on and rev the motor up the frequency will increase if you slow the motor down the the frequency will decrease if you have a clock one with hands and the frequency is wrong the clock will run fast or slow as the case may be
if you need more power than the generator is designed to supply you will need heavy windings not more turns per winding or more poles you will need bigger wires that can carry more current with out getting hot which in turns heats the insulation and melts the wires
if you want to increase the voltage you need to increase the feild or stator winding voltage which is done on the exciter

or at least this is what I was taught when I was learning when I was an apprentice and for years after as a trades man and electricty works on the same princable the world over

thought this may be of the some interest

if you want to see if can make it run on three phase pull the cover off and count the leads coming out quite often when companys make these things they are all the same but hooked up different in the factory so untrained personal can fit them in the field with out having to know the theory behind it monkey see monkey do type of thing

Paul
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Mon, Nov 17, 2014 6:48 AM
Old Magnet
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Reply to drujinin:
Now if someone would come forward offering to swap a 3 phase for a 1 phase unit!
3 phase units are very common place as stated and most likely 12 leads.
1 phase on 10 leads, I would say are not convertible to 3 phase.....?
Either way, Nice score on the Unit!
[quote="drujinin"]Now if someone would come forward offering to swap a 3 phase for a 1 phase unit!
3 phase units are very common place as stated and most likely 12 leads.
1 phase on 10 leads, I would say are not convertible to 3 phase.....?
Either way, Nice score on the Unit![/quote]

Three phase units are normally 10 wire also.
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Mon, Nov 17, 2014 6:50 AM
Steve A
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Reply to Old Magnet:
[quote="drujinin"]Now if someone would come forward offering to swap a 3 phase for a 1 phase unit!
3 phase units are very common place as stated and most likely 12 leads.
1 phase on 10 leads, I would say are not convertible to 3 phase.....?
Either way, Nice score on the Unit![/quote]

Three phase units are normally 10 wire also.
[attachment=25975]311R.jpg[/attachment]see attached data plate for my 1200 rpm 20 KW Rated unit with a 4V serial no,

I will be interested to learn your serial number

e mail or PM for the attached spec sheet in higher rez

The spec sheet also states the 3 phase unit is rated at 21 KW at a .8 PF

The single phase unit is rated at .9 PF

I haven't figured out Power Factors so don't ask 😊

[attachment=25974]20141116_192113_resized.jpg[/attachment]
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Mon, Nov 17, 2014 7:42 AM
Old Magnet
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Reply to Steve A:
[attachment=25975]311R.jpg[/attachment]see attached data plate for my 1200 rpm 20 KW Rated unit with a 4V serial no,

I will be interested to learn your serial number

e mail or PM for the attached spec sheet in higher rez

The spec sheet also states the 3 phase unit is rated at 21 KW at a .8 PF

The single phase unit is rated at .9 PF

I haven't figured out Power Factors so don't ask 😊

[attachment=25974]20141116_192113_resized.jpg[/attachment]
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The 40RLxxx generator series and 2L1819 exciter are actually the same unit as used on the D315. That's where the 30 kw capacity comes from.
Apparently you can get away with the higher rating (factory) single phase on the D311 engine.
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Mon, Nov 17, 2014 8:04 AM
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