alternator as a generator in a car
alternator as a generator in a car
(OP)
I have aquired an alternator from a generator and i want to use it attached to my engine to create 240v @ 50hz it claims to produce this at 3000rpm but of course of i spin it faster this will go higher can anyone suggest some easy ways of regulating this output? circuit diagrams maybe.
i intend to run power tools and lighting so a current drain of 6-10 amps should be allowed for.
TIA
Birt
i intend to run power tools and lighting so a current drain of 6-10 amps should be allowed for.
TIA
Birt





RE: alternator as a generator in a car
There are modules that you can buy to do this, Id go for a pulse frequency on the flywheel and use that to control the throttle so that you try to rev up if the speed drops and vice versa. hen you would have to look at the voltage, need to see what you have on your alternator to control the voltage and maintain it at 240 v...........
RE: alternator as a generator in a car
RE: alternator as a generator in a car
RE: alternator as a generator in a car
RE: alternator as a generator in a car
Ayrboy is quite correct and throwing a 3kw load on the engine will reduce the speed and therfore speed control is essential. For saftey reasons this is definately not recommended. An alternative might be to obtain a separate small i.c engine say about 7 or 8 hp
Cheers
G
RE: alternator as a generator in a car
RE: alternator as a generator in a car
The loads you mention - compressor, tv, hand tools etc are all low power less than say 500w or about 2 amps at 240 volts which is a lot less power than the 10 amps you mentioned originaly. You might get away with running the engine on a fast idle speed at these low powers but the speed and therefore frequency will vary with load. Most hand tools, drills, compressors etc are all ac/dc motors and will not be affected by frequency.
Cheers
G
RE: alternator as a generator in a car
Were do you get tires? perhaps i can contact them and ask who makes the generator?
RE: alternator as a generator in a car
Ever thought of just buying a small AC generator? You can pick up a 2.2kVA generator from Screwfix for £350.
As far as engine regulators go, I personally would be leary of trying to fiddle too much with a 2.5TDi as they are quite a complex piece of kit. On the other hand, if you actually listen to any vehicle with an on-board generator, you can hear the engine regulator at work, changing the engine note as the power changes.
I think the suggestion to buy a small engine is prob your best bet, but obviously that isn't going to fit in where the air conditioner should be...
RE: alternator as a generator in a car
R32, Did your system have any form of voltage regulator? what stopped the voltage and frequency rising?
Suppose i could have a throttle adjuster and just only switch it on when i want to generate AC, how difficult would that be to make? any good ideas?
RE: alternator as a generator in a car
http://www.tendaire.com/b_Ser.htm
RE: alternator as a generator in a car
RE: alternator as a generator in a car
excuse my ignorence, A/C clutch? what is that when it is at home?
RE: alternator as a generator in a car
The clutch is engaged by electric current. So, you will have a switch some where to engage it when you want to use the alternator. The one side of the switch goes to your +12V supply and the other to the wire on the clutch. Current return is thru the frame in most units, but some have a ground wire.
RE: alternator as a generator in a car
we will see how it goes
RE: alternator as a generator in a car
RE: alternator as a generator in a car
RE: alternator as a generator in a car
I have used AC output systems on work trucks many times and I don't recall any particular difficulty aside normal maintenance!
Rod
RE: alternator as a generator in a car
If I assume you only want to run some pretty rough gear ~ say lights drills etc and not your prize tv or stereo or such that will worry about some frequency or volts change (not lots of change) heres a suggestion which should be at the low end of the cost spectrum, (and you can worry about the details)
If you have the alternator permenately connected to the drive pulley (crankshaft or harmonic balancer ) then 2 things will happen. It will spin a hell of a lot while you go to the beach and wear the brushes bearings etc etc, AND if you put the foot down and get the revs up, It may well self excite and with no load or open circuit the volts will go very high and you wont have to worry about using it.
my suggestion runs along these lines. I assume the ac pulley on the crank is the outer pulley if not it's probably an accessory at the off road shop to get one that will put the belt outside. Now a discovery shop have a tacho so you can get the rpm at warm idle and calulate the pulley(s) to get the right rpm.
Make up a quick fit bracket with say wing nuts (say 6mm rod welded to the nut) where you would adjust the belt tension.
Now If you want to use it loosen the wing nut and fit the belt tension and start up. Finnished? stop motor and remove belt.
I reckon you might almost get away with it- provided your load can tolerate a bit of variation in Hz - suggestion use light globes to test it at various loads and make a note of Hz and volts V amp
Good luck
Don
RE: alternator as a generator in a car
RE: alternator as a generator in a car
dang it all ah thaught ahwuz a genyus !!!
Yeh a really good point , why only 1000W stereo. I recall making an ass of my self trying to figure out why a bloke's battery kept going flat whilst he was "cruizin"
1500 watts of sound and a sub woofer like the top of a 44 gal drum. How do you keep the windows in?.
with the generator may be a woodruff governor type set up on a variable sheave belt
or
get the manual throttle control kit like is used for off road or tractor type stuff.
ALL the best
Don
RE: alternator as a generator in a car
Another option as mentioned, is to get an inverter with a bigger alternator on your truck. These are available in larger wattages but are more costly than the generator I mentioned.