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Ruston 300KVA Generator Set
Status: Under Construction The Eildon hydro-electric power station was commissioned in 1956-57, following the completion of the new and enlarged Eildon weir. Shortly afterwards, it was realized that a serious design flaw had been built into the new station. The electrically driven sump pumps and associated switch gear were situated only a little above the level of the tail race. The capacity of the pumps was considered just enough to keep normal water leakage at bay. In times of high levels in the dam, leakage was exacerbated and, worse still, a mistake in operating the intake valves or the failure of a valve seal could produce more water than the pumps could cope with. With the pumps below the surface and out of action, the water would quickly rise, flooding the station and its two 60MW generators. In addition, should both generators be out of action and the supply line between Eildon and Rubicon “A” fail, there would be no electricity to work any of the pumps. Discussions between SEC engineers in 1958-59 confirmed that an emergency electricity supply and additional pumping capacity were urgently required. Happily at this time, a large electrical supply plant from the diesel-powered Nhill power station in western Victoria became available. The plant consisted of a Ruston 6-cylinder diesel engine Class VEB Mark 2, engine number 307545, built in early 1950 and dispatched from the factory in Lincoln in October 1950. This class of engine was produced between April 1939 and December 1962. Each cylinder has a bore of 10¼-inches and a stroke of 14½-inches. The engine weighs 13.33 tons and develops 360 bhp at a maximum of 500 rpm (396 bhp at peak load). It was direct-coupled to a 300KVA Brush alternator and exciter. The estimate for the cost of moving the plant and re-installing it at Eildon was £2,650. The task was completed by mid 1960. The plant was always a little lower in output than desired and, in August 2006, a new, more compact plant was installed. Happily, the old plant has escaped the scrapper’s torch and will be preserved at the Alexandra Timber Tramway. It has been placed on “long-term loan” to the ATT by its donor, AGL. The engine arrived on site at the ATT on Thursday 24 August 2006 and was joined by its alternator, exciter and associated electrical switchgear four days later. The engine had run at least four times in the week prior to its arrival in Alexandra. When completed, the Ruston generator exhibit will include one of the original Pelton wheels from Rubicon power station and some other associated equipment as a tribute to the contribution made by hydro-electric power to the Alexandra district.
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