# Done with fema on to the Ben Peterson design
**URL:** http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/done-with-fema-on-to-the-ben-peterson-design/6373
**Category:** Projects
**Created:** [February 22, 2022, 8:39pm UTC](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/done-with-fema-on-to-the-ben-peterson-design/6373 "2022-02-22T20:39:23Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@jetjohn250](http://forum.driveonwood.com/u/jetjohn250)
#### Post date: [February 22, 2022, 8:39pm UTC](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/done-with-fema-on-to-the-ben-peterson-design/6373/1 "2022-02-22T20:39:23Z")
So I’m done with playing with the fema a Decided to go with the Ben Peterson design for my next project. And I just welded I. The nozzles and I went with lowes femal double ended not fittings that I cut in half but I’m worried they are cast iron and May fail any Opinions are suggestions would be greatly helpful before I weld it in completely. I’m going to post pics of where I’m at so far also of my new cnc plasma cutter.
 
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### Author:  [@jetjohn250](http://forum.driveonwood.com/u/jetjohn250)
#### Post date: [February 22, 2022, 8:41pm UTC](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/done-with-fema-on-to-the-ben-peterson-design/6373/2 "2022-02-22T20:41:36Z")
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### Author:  [@don\_mannes](http://forum.driveonwood.com/u/don_mannes)
#### Post date: [February 22, 2022, 10:58pm UTC](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/done-with-fema-on-to-the-ben-peterson-design/6373/3 "2022-02-22T22:58:16Z")
I see a lot of bare feet in those pictures. I hope you are not welding that way!!
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### Author:  [@SteveUnruh](http://forum.driveonwood.com/u/SteveUnruh)
#### Post date: [February 23, 2022, 9:56am UTC](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/done-with-fema-on-to-the-ben-peterson-design/6373/4 "2022-02-23T09:56:33Z")
JoshL you should be fine with the cast nipples.
Again please . . . what size engine loading were you going to supply with this gasifier?
S.U.
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### Author:  [@jetjohn250](http://forum.driveonwood.com/u/jetjohn250)
#### Post date: [February 23, 2022, 1:19pm UTC](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/done-with-fema-on-to-the-ben-peterson-design/6373/5 "2022-02-23T13:19:36Z")
Im planning on using 3.0 L 4 cylinder motor I have to power a 20k generator head.
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### Author:  [@jetjohn250](http://forum.driveonwood.com/u/jetjohn250)
#### Post date: [February 23, 2022, 3:36pm UTC](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/done-with-fema-on-to-the-ben-peterson-design/6373/6 "2022-02-23T15:36:29Z")
Anyone know a good place to buy a generator power head?
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### Author:  [@SteveUnruh](http://forum.driveonwood.com/u/SteveUnruh)
#### Post date: [February 23, 2022, 4:54pm UTC](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/done-with-fema-on-to-the-ben-peterson-design/6373/7 "2022-02-23T16:54:27Z")
Central Georgia Generator
Go for an 1800 RPM unit.
Danny “Doc” Cox here did a woodgasified former telecom four cylinder project he put up on youtube and here on the DOW.
The early BenBook instructions were for loaded 1000cc to lightly loaded 5.0L engines.
The revised, expanded later publications were heavily loaded 500cc to lightly loaded 5.0L engines.
You are in the sweet spot of usages for that system.
Steve unruh
S.U.
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### Author:  [@jetjohn250](http://forum.driveonwood.com/u/jetjohn250)
#### Post date: [February 23, 2022, 5:50pm UTC](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/done-with-fema-on-to-the-ben-peterson-design/6373/8 "2022-02-23T17:50:03Z")
Thanks for the info I did allot of research before I went with the proper jetting and I’m thinking with that big 4 cylinder engine rated at 165hp with the hp drop even at 50% I can easily power a 20kw gen and it will not have to work hard at all. super excited for the project… Also bought the the book off hear and really liking that to may be my next project.
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### Author:  [@jetjohn250](http://forum.driveonwood.com/u/jetjohn250)
#### Post date: [February 23, 2022, 5:59pm UTC](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/done-with-fema-on-to-the-ben-peterson-design/6373/9 "2022-02-23T17:59:30Z")
Also do you have a link for his info?
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### Author:  [@SteveUnruh](http://forum.driveonwood.com/u/SteveUnruh)
#### Post date: [February 24, 2022, 12:18am UTC](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/done-with-fema-on-to-the-ben-peterson-design/6373/10 "2022-02-24T00:18:56Z")
> [@Another gasifier/generator load test to 9,400 watts also log splitter run](https://forum.driveonwood.com/t/another-generator-load-test-to-9-400-watts-also-log-splitter-run/790):
>
> My third and final load test on my system. This is a 13,000 watt Onan with four cylinder Ford motor from 1988. I took it to 9,400 watts before noticing engine fluctuations. After I stopped filming I found out I had needed to readjust my air intake valve to compensate for the increased load.( I guess this is what Steve U. refers to as learning to operate your system over a period of time and conditions). After I readjusted my valve it ran better and probably would have pulled a little more kw tha…
Open up the blue highlighted line to read in detail.
Then you can click open his big D avatar icon.
Click open the even bigger big D there to find his activities lists.
Open up his activities listings.
Read all of his individual posts, experiences and opinions.
S.U.
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### Author:  [@Norman89](http://forum.driveonwood.com/u/Norman89)
#### Post date: [February 24, 2022, 12:26am UTC](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/done-with-fema-on-to-the-ben-peterson-design/6373/11 "2022-02-24T00:26:23Z")
bummer all his video links are dead
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### Author:  [@machinemaker](http://forum.driveonwood.com/u/machinemaker)
#### Post date: [February 24, 2022, 2:10pm UTC](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/done-with-fema-on-to-the-ben-peterson-design/6373/12 "2022-02-24T14:10:02Z")
I saw this at Surplus Center [12.5 KVA Bendix 51B8-3 115/230 Volt AC Generator | AC Generators | Power Supplies | Electrical | www.surpluscenter.com](https://www.surpluscenter.com/Electrical/Power-Supplies/AC-Generators/12-5-KVA-Bendix-51B8-3-115-230-Volt-AC-Generator-6-1017.axd) For $199.
Kent
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### Author:  [@MikeR](http://forum.driveonwood.com/u/MikeR)
#### Post date: [February 24, 2022, 2:34pm UTC](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/done-with-fema-on-to-the-ben-peterson-design/6373/13 "2022-02-24T14:34:02Z")
Kent,
That looks sweet, and ex-military to boot. Have to make a fancy coupler is all! Might get one myself. 240 v. @50-ish amps at 240 volts?? that’s pretty useful! going to need a decent-sized engine to run it at that power level. 🕶
Ship weight 160 Lbs! Surplus Center is in Lincoln, Nebraska.
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### Author:  [@machinemaker](http://forum.driveonwood.com/u/machinemaker)
#### Post date: [February 24, 2022, 3:00pm UTC](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/done-with-fema-on-to-the-ben-peterson-design/6373/14 "2022-02-24T15:00:36Z")
I have no connection to surplus center other than a satisfied customer. I buy a bit of hydraulics from them. I just noticed the splined end on the shaft that could be a problem to couple to, I would hope that it could be either pressed off or machined off. not sure what shipping would be for that, could be as much as the cost.
Kent
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### Author:  [@jetjohn250](http://forum.driveonwood.com/u/jetjohn250)
#### Post date: [February 24, 2022, 4:24pm UTC](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/done-with-fema-on-to-the-ben-peterson-design/6373/15 "2022-02-24T16:24:03Z")
Man that is a deal though
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### Author:  [@MikeR](http://forum.driveonwood.com/u/MikeR)
#### Post date: [February 24, 2022, 4:49pm UTC](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/done-with-fema-on-to-the-ben-peterson-design/6373/16 "2022-02-24T16:49:57Z")
Planning a lovely vacation tour that just happens to go by Surplus Center… 🤣🤠 🕶
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### Author:  [@tcholton717](http://forum.driveonwood.com/u/tcholton717)
#### Post date: [February 24, 2022, 7:01pm UTC](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/done-with-fema-on-to-the-ben-peterson-design/6373/17 "2022-02-24T19:01:48Z")
I only have a 2019 catalog but the price for the generator was the same then. Shipping rates only went to 150 lbs in the catalog but were between 104 and 130 depending on your zone.
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### Author:  [@jetjohn250](http://forum.driveonwood.com/u/jetjohn250)
#### Post date: [February 24, 2022, 8:19pm UTC](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/done-with-fema-on-to-the-ben-peterson-design/6373/18 "2022-02-24T20:19:32Z")
Read This on a forum seems like it may be harder then it looks to mess with "Hi…I have studied the schematic of the Bendix generator in TM-5-6115-434-12 in detail and have concluded that the generator and the regulator as sold by Surplus Center will not work properly or at all. The regulator requires a Protection Panel Box external to the regulator to provide the following. An over speed sensor, under speed sensor, over current sensor and an anti cycle lockout 1 sec delay. These sensors input to the regulator to make it work properly. Also I believe there is a servo mechanism that as the load on the generator increases will load down the engine so the throttle needs to advance to maintain a true 60Hz output.
The protective panel part # is 694210-2 made by Honeywell for the Bendix Generator 51B8-3. I have searched on line and can not find any info about it.
Additionally you need the cable to connect the generator, regulator and the protection panel."
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### Author:  [@wobigtd](http://forum.driveonwood.com/u/wobigtd)
#### Post date: [February 25, 2022, 7:14pm UTC](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/done-with-fema-on-to-the-ben-peterson-design/6373/19 "2022-02-25T19:14:46Z")
Your research got farther than mine. I looked at them several years ago and even asked the counter guy about them. Apparently whoever they bought them from wasn’t much help either. So I stayed away. They used to have great counter help but have lost them due to covid and better opportunities. I still use them.
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### Author:  [@NevRon](http://forum.driveonwood.com/u/NevRon)
#### Post date: [April 9, 2022, 4:49pm UTC](http://forum.driveonwood.com/t/done-with-fema-on-to-the-ben-peterson-design/6373/20 "2022-04-09T16:49:13Z")
Definitely going to follow your design build! My wife and I are preparing to build off grid/ modified Earthship Biotecture home and I need back up generator that will be woodgas powered. Thanks for posting your build!
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