Building a generator...

[helix_rider]

On the plus side, the 3-hp/alternator generators make fantastic semi-portable battery chargers for Vehicles, Battery Banks, etc.

Being 12V throughout, there's no inverter needed for that setup. Several years ago I saw one of those 12v generators being used by the local Ham Radio club. It kept the deep-cycle batteries charged while they ran their radios, lights, Coleman 12V coolers, etc.

I don't have that much of a need for a 12-volt generator, but if I was on a Solar/Battery Backup program that would be a great little backup idea for cloudy/stormy days.

 

[Cujet]

Originally Posted By: boraticus
Yo Cujet:

I bet the home made rig wasn't quite as portable nor quiet as the Hondas was it?


Noooooo, the little diesel engine was heavy, all by itself. Not to mention 4ea. 80 pound batteries.

However, I can't think of a more powerful or capable 3HP setup. The reality is that my setup used a conventional alternator and that is only 60% efficient. Serious improvement is possible, obviously. My hope was to set something up that could run on waste motor oil, olive oil, jet fuel, or what ever I could scare up. Gasoline not needed!

It would take 2ea. Honda 2000 watt units to power the same air conditioners. I'm fairly certain my cheezy diesel setup would use less fuel, but not 100% on that one.

 

[Jim 5]

This guy has devoted a website to building generators with old B&S engines, alternators and inverters.

http://www.theepicenter.com/tow02077.html

 

[meep]

there's some writings out there of using the typical 1800 rpm cap-start AC motors as 120V AC gen heads. adjustments to V are based on cap size. Frq is determined by RPM. You'd need a short battery pulse to excite it once it's spinning. that might not be a bad way to go... Less muss and fuss than 12vdc-batt-inverter.

M

 

[kcfx4]

theres some strange ppl in my area that have made generators in using just a horizontal shaft engine mounted straight to an alternator, i have no idea how it works but it does, and i say strange because theyre not amish, yet they do this in an attempt to not have an electric bill

 

[meep]

Originally Posted By: kcfx4
theres some strange ppl in my area that have made generators in using just a horizontal shaft engine mounted straight to an alternator, i have no idea how it works but it does, and i say strange because theyre not amish, yet they do this in an attempt to not have an electric bill


egads. cuz gas is so cheap..... (sarcasm)

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted By: Jim 5
This guy has devoted a website to building generators with old B&S engines, alternators and inverters.

http://www.theepicenter.com/tow02077.html


Those are cool kits! You could make yourself a nice fuel efficient generator to suit your specifics.