Work in progress: Portable welder/genset/air compressor

Nice rig MM!

Brings back memories surplus WWII generators used for welding, if I'm not mistaken that generator operates at 3600 rpm.

How are you planning to keep the engine rpm constant, that old V4 Wisconsin had a built in governor, your Datsun engine has none. I recently purchased a Skid Steer with a seized gasoline engine which has an external governor attached. I'm swapping in a diesel engine which has a built in internal governor and have no need for the other.

No charge for the governor if you can use it just pay the postage, if your interested PM me your zip so that I can figure out how much it would be to post it.

I take PP for payments, can do International M/O's but these take longer to arrive and then there's the hassle of going into town to cash em.

That Datsun engine was a good choice, if I'm not mistaken the engine is slightly over square with a long stroke. Many of the old timers used the Austin A40 engines to run these generators.

Originally Posted by MilitiaMetals

I think I have it figured, thanks for the input, my idea may not work lol

My offer on the governor still stands, it would simplify your task of maintaining constant engine RPM. You can find these external governors on most old farm swather's and combines.

Have you tested the generator, put 12 or 24 volts of battery power to the terminals it will motor if its still functional.

Many old portable Lincoln welding machines only came with crank start with the odd one having electric start.

In the ship yards where there were many welding machines one of the group always came equipped with electric start. After the operator got his machine running the welding leads reaching the nearest machine next to it the welding leads would be affixed to that generators welding leads reaching over, that generator now became a motor to start the machine having no starter on the engine.

And so it went from one machine to another to get them all in the group running, this is why so many older Lincolns have no electric start.

The copper and lead saved from this effort was used in other areas of the war effort.

You mentioned that your planning to have that transmission output shaft machined to support a bearing, why not affix your V-Pulley directly to the face of the flywheel.

Replace the pressure plate with a piece of 1/2 or 3/4 inch flat plate cut to size, drill in your bolt circle then weld a stub on center to affix your V-pulley. Sweet and simple.

Another thing I'm having trouble with is why you have set the generator so distant from the engine, this requires much longer belts which are going to cost you more also longer belts have more potential to slip.

In longer belt arrangements there will always be an idler in place to take keep the bounce out. Take a peek under your riding lawn mowers deck you will see that I'm talking about.

Maybe some wheels to make moving it easier? It looks kinda heavy

Originally Posted by MilitiaMetals

I have to use the original flywheel as the starter ring gear is integral to it. I have since changed my mind and will be machining a 7 inch diameter plate with the center bored 1 inch and then welding a 6 inch chunk of keyed shaft to it, then bolting it to the flywheel via new threaded holes in the flywheel.

Never suggested that you discard the flywheel, only the pressure plate and clutch disc, I said to machine a plate drill your holes to fit where the pressure plate once resided, weld a stub on center for the V-Pulley. Obtaining that bolt pattern from the pressure plate would be easy so why not stay with the same diameter and use the old holes save yourself some work.

Originally Posted by MilitiaMetals

I have access to several governor, I think I will not have anything to worry about if I set my max rpm under load, plus this is a 70hp engine and I only need 20 to run the gen, if that.

Ok, then I'll toss it along with the seized engine I pulled from the Skid Loader next load out.

Originally Posted by MilitiaMetals

I have it the distance, because I did not want to make weird bent engine mounts and putting the generator beneath the engine would net a unit way too tall for my likings.

Never suggested that you put the generator under the engine that would have made the unit top heavy, I noted that the generator sits some distance from the engine where it could have been closer making the unit more compact.

Originally Posted by MilitiaMetals

Not too worried about the belt length and yes planned on using an idler.

Hope your planning to use more than one belt, I figure you'll need three.

Originally Posted by MilitiaMetals

Thanks so much for the valuable info, If my idea doesn't work and I use your idea, I will definitely give you credit lol!

Anytime.