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I opted for the northern tools 12/13kw model. According to its specs, 12kw requires 24pto hp.. if linear, 13kw (surge) would require 26 pto hp to realize. I've also heard that the hp numbers are conservative, and are calculated at about 20% lower than you might expect.. so those numbers may be closer to 19.2-21.2 pto hp. That said.. all things being equal.. my N, as a non-rebuilt unit is a tad tired, though in decent running condition. i figure If I cal pull 10k out of it, I'm happy. If I really need the extra couple/three KW I can hook up the NAA.. or undertake the monstrous task of detatching the 3pt mower on my NH 7610s, and then I've got 80something pto hp available.... So far I've used the pto gen on power tools and similar hard start loads. The governor on my old N has so far been able to keep the needle in the green zone on the genny, with 10 and 15 amp inductive loads as well as some incandescent loads goin.. no problems. Genny holds voltage excelent, as well as frequency ( I have a freq counting meter just for that purpose). There are some more expensive units that are even better at freq and voltage regulation as they have active controll circuitry, whereas the northern units is more of a 'passive' capacitor based regulation. It is going tocome down to how responsive and strong your N is. However.. engine load and HP usage is based on electrical load. If you are only pulling a 800w fridge, and a 120w lightbulb, 20 watt fan, and a 100 watt tv, you won't even be 'touching' the capacity that even a worn out N can produce... For those that think the big units are too big.. there is also a 7.5kw pto gen.. I imagine any N that can start under it's own power could fully supply that pto gen with whatever it needs to produce max wattage, and still have quite a few HP left over. I mounted my pto gen on a KK carryall, with a pallate as the flooring. I paid 999.00 for the gen during the storm month here in fl. Their pto shaft was 120$ but was out of stock. I opted for a 79$ 'eurocardan' style shaft from tsc... works great.. and i much prefer the soud of a tractor engine.. than that of a gas powered generator, or lawnmower. i think it is an rpm and decibel issue. Small Gas motors run pretty high revs to make power.. and have virtually no exhaust dampening. Also.. as you point out.. the pto gen does shed some favorable light on the old tractor. I try to make my tractor 'pay' for itself as much as possible, as there while I was refurbing it a couple years ago.. it was a constant stream of money going into the 'pit'.
Here are some other considerations I thought about. With a self contained genny.. you have another engine to worry about.
I just sold an extra lawnmower I had that was virtually brand new ( 3ys old.. used a couple times.. craftsman). Ever time I would pull it out to use it.. the carb was gummed up.. and I had to rebuild it.. then it got parked back int he shed. i finally sold it to a coworker for half what I paid for it, just to make room in the barn. He can now have fun rebuilding the carb every year ( b/s engine ). At least I use my tractor enough to know when it will or will not start. Sure the self contained units are easilly toteable.. but heck.. If I really gotta have power outint he woods, and my truck is going out there.. I guess the N and pto gen can go along for the ride on the trailer... it is a tradeoff yes.. but there is no way I could have got a self contained 12kw genny for 1100 bucks.. not even close. With 12kw, I can run everything but the air handler and the air conditioning. heck.. If I start the air handler manually first, and let the load even out.. I could probably then kick the compressor in then, and then be ready to go for the next power outtage. ( we hardly run our ac anyway... I have tile inthe house, and it stays about 4-5' cooler than in a carpeted house. Soundguy
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