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Inspired by a thread on a German forum (link, 33 pages when I last looked!), I decided to have a go at building a 12V petrol engine powered generator when I saw a suitable Honda engine on sale for below half price.
The basic setup is very simple:
- a small petrol engine (normally used in strimmers)
- linked to a brushless motor as used in RC models; these work as generators when driven
- a 3 phase rectifier
- I added a voltmeter, but that is not strictly necessary
This gives a fairly light generator capable of I would guess 30A, although so far only tried it on slightly discharged batteries and got 15A.
The clutch is removed from the strimmer engine, and replaced by a flexible coupling.
A mounting plate is used to fix the motor.
The recitfier can be seen here.
It gives me a bigger charge current than a 230V generator driving the van's battery charger would. Obviously it doesn't give me mains electricity, but the main reason for me to have a generator was to charge the batteries, and this does that with a quality Honda engine, for a fraction of the price of a Honda generator.
Plus it was an enjoyable project
Pieter
Last edited by pieterv on Mon Feb 21, 2011 3:44 pm; edited 4 times in total
Not sure how many dB it produces, but being a petrol engine it isn't quiet.
The advantage is that it can put out much more current than the onboard charger (supplied with 230V of a normal mains generator), so it doesn't have to run as long and I can pick a time when it doesn't annoy others. It would only be used when there is no EHU, so not on big sites, but more likely on CLs, where there will, most likely, be a time when others are not around.
Next stage might be trying to make a sound damping surround. Anyone got any experience with that? The issue I see is that exhaust fumes need to get out, and fresh air (for combustion, as well as cooling) in, which will make sound damping difficult.
Hi Pietev, I notice you have a Hymer, as I have, but the handbook says to only charge the leisure battery through the charger unit. Have you used your charger connected directly to the battery and has this caused any problems? Having recently had the charging unit burn out, I believe due to a surge in the mains supply, I am worried this might cause similar problems, not wishing to pour scorn on your excellent idea.
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Denmark
- though I'm sure you would only ever use it in a manner which was sensitive to your neighbours.
