recent article submittal at the Rawles SurvivalBlog site >>>> Another Look at Listeroid Engines, Graham Sliecker. Listreoid Generators.
Was very interested in them 20 years ago. Didn't make sense for me in money as an alternative power source at tine. Seen units made by Lister that have been in use for 40 years pumping irrigation water. Perfect use for them, long term constant load and every part could be replaced. Big advantage was ability to use a little fuel to make power and that fuel could be almost anything. One I saw ran on straight french fryer oil ran thru a good filter and into engine. Been doing it for years and it looked like new. Big ones at 800 rpm had a thump when it fired that was "noticeable" and a vibration, but were used at am airport for runway lights and had been put in in 1942. Still in use in 1995 and run all night every night. 2 units were alternated and one in use while other rebuilt. Here is a picture of the one I wanted. Maine Diesel was bringing them in new from India. Of course EPA etc got it shut down. Was equal to too many cow farts you know' Could raise either soy beans or rape and run on straight pressed oil.
I "inherited" a couple old Fairbanks-Morris Hit and Miss engines, and One BIG DAMN 4 banger Diesel, took one of the 40 horse and got it running after a simple rebuild and it powers a genny for the shop, and I plan to get the other 40 horse to power the house, but with Water power already, it's kind of over kill, but would make a great back up if needed! No plans for the Big Fairbanks, though it could be used to do just about anything that needed low speed/high torque work, like a Lumber mill, or machine shop, I doubt it would break 800 RPM, probably closer to 400, and did I mention it's YUGE, prob. close to 8 ton!
I've only seen one and it was running a sump pump in a deep lower level basement in a coal plant. It had been running as long as anyone who worked there could remember. That flywheel looks like an arm breaker.
