Lawnmower engine into a 12V Generator (Links)

[SuperTroll]

Emergency preparedness site shows how to build a 12V generator from a lawnmower engine.....using an automotive alternator....I built one of the horizontal models back during Y2K.......

Thought you all might envision this for 12V power in those isolated camping spots where the noise of the generator would disturb fewer people.....

Best Part is the process is CHEAP.

Link to Plans: http://www.theepicenter.com//tow082099.html

Link to PARTS:

http://www.geoduck.com/epicenter/order. ... l&cart_id=%%cart_id%%

[mikeschn]

You got anything quiet?

Mike...

[Alphacarina]

I like this one better

http://www.generatorjoe.net/html/christ ... 55G001.pdf

Only 25 pounds - Who really wants to tote around a 15 pound car alternator bolted to a big steel plate with a lawn mower engine attached to it . . . . not to mention those 2 X 4's?

Don

[Miriam C.]

Emergency preparedness site shows how to build a 12V generator from a lawnmower engine.....using an automotive alternator....I built one of the horizontal models back during Y2K.......

Thought you all might envision this for 12V power in those isolated camping spots where the noise of the generator would disturb fewer people.....

Best Part is the process is CHEAP.

Link to Plans: http://www.theepicenter.com//tow082099.html

Link to PARTS:

http://www.geoduck.com/epicenter/order. ... l&cart_id=%%cart_id%%

Now that's cool.

[Steve F]

I like this one better

http://www.generatorjoe.net/html/christ ... 55G001.pdf

Only 25 pounds - Who really wants to tote around a 15 pound car alternator bolted to a big steel plate with a lawn mower engine attached to it . . . . not to mention those 2 X 4's?

Don

Those Christie engineering ones are neat but even though they are pretty local to me I've never seen anyone using one in the bush. Maybe they cost too much??

Cheers
Steve

[SuperTroll]

if they only made this one still.....




Post doesn't show the scale...it's a little bigger than a large coffee cup...

[ARKPAT]

Suppertroll I have one of these kits as you describe.

Link to Plans: http://www.theepicenter.com//tow082099.html

GREAT 120 amp Chrysler alternator and Briggs 3.5 hp vertical shaft on the plate they sell. I use it for emergency battery bank/ Jumpstart charger.


Sorry to digress a bit here. I just want to save anybody from the same experience I incured with "The Little Engine that Couldn't"( Little Generator pictured ). I also had one of those 2 cycle Robin engine except the one I had 120V A/C and 12 Volts D/C out. As Supertroll talked about in above posting. Noisy ( about like a weedeater - running - hmmm - it is a Chinese weed wacker engine in disguise ) and messy fuel mix with short runs between fueling. With about 30-40min. run time with 400 watts out between refueling. The engine gets hot it might not want to restart after refueling and LOTS of spark plugs on hand for any extended time running. That was my experience with the little 400 watt generator.



Fill "The Little Engine that Couldn't" with concrete and use it as an anchor for your boat or a weight to hold the skin you are glueing down on your trailer.



Pat

[SuperTroll]

Just like everyone else here I learn stuff...thanks for killing my dream...you're a Fine person in there somewhere...(Whaaaaaaa!)

j/k Really appreciate that review, because If I had run across the little power pony, I'd have bought it , then been PO'd....

[mikeschn]

The coffee cup sized generator sounds cool. If you could find a used one, how long do you think it would take to charge an average group 24 battery?

Mike...

[Spadinator]

I built one of these a few years ago using a 2.5 hp briggs motor and a VW generator. Still works fine to this day.

[brian_bp]

if they only made this one still.....

Post doesn't show the scale...it's a little bigger than a large coffee cup...

Interesting. This appears to be the Wattagan YM400 from Wattagan DC, who appear to be in Australia.

Wattagan has an interesting Why do I need a Controller? page, discussing the use of automotive regulators versus a dedicated controller.

The YM400 is a 400-watt unit, claiming an output of 25A at 15V. With the right controller, it might only be a couple of hours for a decent charge of a highly discharged Group 24 deep cycle battery... but there's no indication of whether it would work with their controllers, and the controllers cost as much as a small generator, or more.

The little YM400 is probably more charger than that size of battery needs. If the only purpose of a generator is to charge a battery, then a Honda EU1000i (1000 watt advanced generator set) and an ordinary smart charger makes a very effective charger. I realize that this topic is about a less expensive and simpler alternative.

[ARKPAT]

Sorry to sound so negative about the little generator guy's.

I just had a BAD experience for a year with it and it let me down when it was needed. Someone else might not have so much trouble. True they are small size - about the size of a small weedeater motor and a box where the air filter is for electrical connections. The weight is about the same as a weedeater motor.

I even have a weedeater motor to try to make another small D/C generator. I need to modify a muffler assembly to make it a little quieter running.

I have had so much better dealings with the eipicenter kit generator and yes it is heavy but not as heavy as a 3000 generator set. You will have all the 12V D/C you might need depending on the alternator used and pulley/ Direct coupler used.

Pat

[mikeschn]

Maybe we should be looking at steam engines for remote power...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zD2ERF2s8hE

Mike...

[ARKPAT]

Sorry for the Hijack.

Mike I like the ones below.

Pump:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PdzaYwg ... re=related

Generator:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7nFga2B ... re=related




only problem you need a moving gas or fluid to make them work.



Pat

[Alphacarina]

One of these engines direct coupled to a small alternator should do the trick . . . . and be very light and compact as well

http://www.trupower.com/honda/gxh50.htm

The engine is governed to 7,000 RPM which would be perfect for the little 35 or 40 amp alternators like the one on my Kubota diesel garden tractor. Here's one for 90 bucks

http://cgi.ebay.com/Kubota-Alternator-B ... 18Q2el1247

A couple small pieces of aluminum channel to mount the engine and the alternator to and you're all set - A 12 pound engine driving a 12 pound alternartor . . . . the whole thing should weigh about 28 to 30 pounds and be pretty compact as well

A 35 amp alternator should completely recharge most Group 24 or 27 batteries in about 90 minutes or so . . . . if you use it once a day (before your battery gets really low) you could probably get by with 30 or 45 minutes

Don