| Author |
Message |
bruce knee (Bruceknee)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2005 - 12:54 pm: | |
I am toying with the idea of: instead of a conventional genset, using a 20-30 hp. water cooled diesel to power a 300 amp, 24v. alternator, or?, which will charge the house battery bank when a generator would be used. The inverter would, in theory, provide for my 110 volt ac. needs. I could also run an air conditioning compressor at the same time, with 2 inside units to provide cooling while running the "genset",taking away from my available A.C. load, the need to run rooftop air or airs.
I would then have, bus air going down the road. As a back up system, because at some point the bus air will go down, I will have a split system powered by the "genset power plant". air con. while boondocking and rooftop while plugged in.
As far as A.C. goes, Battery bank and inverter should cover everything when not plugged in to power pole. I have not determined the size of battery bank, or inverter because I don't know how to do that, but I am thinking a 4024 because of its size and features, and good feedback about it on this board. My biggest load will be a house refrigerator other than rooftop ACs.
Any constructive criticism would be appreciated. |
Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2005 - 2:31 pm: | |
The 300 amp alternator will provide about 7,200 watts (7.2kW) of power. A 15 hp engine is adequate to drive this size alternator.
If you use a 4,000 watt inverter, then you would have an excess of 3,200 watts of 24 volt power that you would have little use for.
If 4,000 watts of AC power is adequate for your requirements, then you could downsize both the alternator and the diesel engine.
Richard |
Stephen Fessenden (Sffess)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2005 - 3:14 pm: | |
An alternator, automotive type, is not meant ot put out its rated output or even 80% of it continuously. Thats what my local alternator shop tells me. So you would need a rating of say 50 to 100 percent higher than your average load. Remember though taht you are not putting out at full load continuously for many loads. Heaters cylcel on and off, water heater cycles on and off, ACs have a starting demand current and a lower rrunning current. You need to put out the average, not the max load since your batteries will act as a reservoir for peaks.
I have an Yanmar 22 HP diesel engine and a 400 Amp 24 volt alternator that I would sell. If you are interested I will respond further in the flea market, but I won't be home to deliver or ship until November. |
John MC9
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2005 - 7:17 pm: | |
Ohhh, ok....
Now build a generator with a lawn mower engine!
I seriously gave this consideration, until my wife saw the screen
and "convinced me" to cut the damned lawn. NOW. |
jimmci9 #2
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2005 - 8:43 pm: | |
as long as you are only interested in 12 volts at 100 amps or 24 volts at 70 amps, its really easy.... dc current is very forgiving... you can charge a pretty good-sized battery bank with an automotive alternator (or generator).. and use the battery bank to power an invertor....then you have 110vac... btw, this is the concept for the smaller quiet honda generators... |
John Jewett (Jayjay)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2005 - 9:59 pm: | |
FOMOCO marketed a Camper Special many years ago that used the same concept of a genset (gas) powering a converter (as opposed to an inverter). Rather successful, but 'natch, it was 'spensive and only out for a few years. 'Oughta work quite well. Good Luck, ...JJ |
Jim (Jim_in_california)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2005 - 10:49 pm: | |
There are various small Chinese diesel motors out there as low as 3.5hp. Some sources say the best vendor is Changfa - www.utterpower.com swears by 'em.
One of these on a decent alternator (esp. a "large frame" alternator with three stage regulator driven by 5hp to 8hp worth of Yanmar clone) can really kick butt. |
Emery Leraand
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, August 27, 2005 - 1:14 pm: | |
Looking at the little diesels found in trailer commercial refrigeration applications to power a 12 volt alternator on our rig. Nice size, should be lots of power and they are all over the wrecking yards. |
Emery Leraand
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, August 28, 2005 - 9:46 am: | |
Looking at the little diesels found in trailer commercial refrigeration applications to power a 12 volt alternator on our rig. Nice size, should be lots of power and they are all over the wrecking yards. |