[SEL] Governor for Chevy 350 engine?

[Todengine at aol.com]

Dave,
I don't think the V8 would be too big, the motor I plan on using as a 
generator weighs about three times that of the engine.  Its a big 20 or 25 hp DC 
motor, and depending upon the load placed on the generator the V8 might be 
perfect. My aim is to produce 230 DC to run a 20 ton overhead crane and possibly some 
other DC machines I have around here.

As many people who know me can attest, my projects are seldom small. This 
current project that I have is to power the DC motor on an overhead crane in the 
Tod Engine restoration shop.  There is no 220 AC power in the building to 
rectify to DC, so I thought an alternative would be to build a gas powered 
generator. I have the gas engine and motor already.  I could probably forego the 
governor idea altogether and just go to a Ward Leonard system for speed control, 
however that means varying the engine throttle instead of operating the 
controller to change speed, but that might not be so bad of an idea since we would 
have to rig up  bank of resistors to a barrel controller anyways. A friend has 
an old Cole truck crane that is all DC powered and a flat head V8 direct 
coupled to a generator.

BTW what is the RPM range of this 350 engine anyway?  From idle to red line?  
Anyone know?


Rick Rowlands
Executive Director
Tod Steam Engine Historic Landmark
William Tod 34" x 68" x 60" Cross Compound Steam Engine
Youngstown, OH
www.todengine.org