Micro CoGen.

Here is one I have never seen before, a lister locomotive!

I am working on a project for the RC flying club I belong to. We have moved to a new flying field that has no grid power so I am building a a power source. It will consist of an engine driven alternator, and a solar panel to charge 2 6v golf cart batteries in series. It will have 12v and 120 volt outlets. Folks can plug their 12v battery chargers into banana jacks or use 120VAC power from a 1500w inverter. The first phase is the engine driven alternator. I picked up a 99cc, 4 stroke OHV engine from Harbor Freight for $79.00. They claim about 3HP. I then got a 10SI from the auto parts store, $29.00 + $15.00 core charge. I first made some adapter plates to be able to mount the alt in a direct drive setup.

http://www.gizmag.com/giant-type-9-vos-duvant-engine/21317/

I picked up a 24 V Niehoff regulator to play with on one of my 24V Alternators. Come to find out it is for a brushless alternator. It has 4 leads, Ground, Field 1, Field 2, and "R". Anyone know if this will work on a brushed Alternator and how it would be wired up. Here is a pick of the alternator it was intended for. Hope it doesn't end up on the "wish I would have done more research" shelf.

Bob

This company has some interesting offerings.

http://www.cpowert.com

Bob

Ok guys, I picked up a Petter AA1 3.5 HP diesel engine. Cute little thing it is and I have no clue if it will run or not so the fun begins. My first problem is with bolt sizes. Not being familiar with thread types they use, I don't know how to spec replacement nuts and bolts I may need. A bunch of the bolts are very close to M8 fine thread but they are different. An M8 fine nut will go on about 1/2 way and then get tight so it is not metric threads I am dealing with. Can anyone educate me on the thread type I am dealing with here and have a source for replacement nuts and bolts here in the USA?

Thanks

Bob

I just read in another post that the Trimetric may not be the best battery management system. What would be a "better" way or product to monitor a battery bank.

Bob

Now this looks like a fun toy

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CM84-Rare-Small-PETTER-Diesel-Engine-AA-1-/230666428547?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35b4ca6083

Equipment:

GM 90 6/1
150 amp 24V alternator with Balmar 624 regulator
7.5 ST head wired for 120v on two legs
24v battery bank with Trimetric 2025 monitor
2500W inverter

This setup is for emergency hot water and power for the fridge, freezer, a few lights and a laptop. I want to install a transfer switch between a distribution panel and the 2 power sources, the inverter and the ST. When the batteries get to around 40 to 50% DOD I will start the 6/1, the alternator will begin to charge the batteries and the transfer switch will shift the loads from the inverter to the ST. Sounds like a good plan but this setup will only pull from one leg of the ST. How do I set this up to even the load on the ST head and pull from both legs. Or is that not that important with such a small load on the ST.

Another option would be to scrap the transfer switch idea and just keep the inverter as the primary power source 100% of the time and use the ST head, for a future well pump and to run the washer/dryer or other big loads during battery recharge time. Any ideas?

Bob

Supposedly this was a lube oil failure.

I was showered with packages today. I got some batteries from BioHazard, a couple GM 90 head gaskets from Gaskets to Go, and a Trimetric TM 2025 meter and shunt from Arizona wind n sun. The gaskets really look good. I am currently running a wax soaked, copper stock gasket to prevent coolant leakage.

Bob

Never seen one like this before....................... Kinda Cool...........

http://www.enginads.com/classifieds/showproduct.php/product/46736/cat/2

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/for/2046401057.html

Went searching for a 3 way valve today. Prices ranged from 11.85 to 99.00 for basically the same valve. The cheapest price was, and this is a shock, from an aircraft supply house. And shipping was an outlandish $1.73

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/appages/ffv3.php

Bob

I think I found my backup, backup generator!!!!
http://cgi.ebay.com/homelite-power-plant-generator-/230539262427?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35ad35f9db

or this one

http://cgi.ebay.com/Montgomery-Ward-2-Cylinder-Stationary-Engine-Generator-/120633381273?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c164f5199

Bob

Wow, this one just went for $2058.00

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260659741575&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Bob

Now that I have got the engine, it is time to start the project and document the progress as I move forward. I hope to run a 150 amp 24v alternator for a battery bank charger, also a 5kw genhead for other loads and heat exchangers on the cooling and exhaust. Some history: The engine was purchased from Mike M.  about 5 years ago and never used. That makes it a NEW GM90. I got it home this weekend and got it off the trailer and into the shop on Monday.

Bob

Does anyone know anything about these engines. I can pick these two up for a song but don't know a thing about them. Nor does the guy selling them. Are they water cooled? Are parts available?
Thanks
Bob

OK - another question ( or two ) I need help with. I have been saving up to get the 2TN70 from Surplus Center. Should be the right size engine to do my project with. I have also located a Yanmar 3TN63, which is a 3 cylinder, 600cc engine compared to the 2TN70 which is a 570cc. It is rated at 15Hp @ 3200 vs 13.4Hp @ 3600 for the 2TN70.

a- Will the 3 cyl engine have any advantage over a 2 cyl engine?

b- Could I assume the fuel efficiency would be pretty close with the same load on the engine due to the cc's being so close.

Thanks

Bob

Can't tell much from the picture but this is supposed to be a French built generator out of a boat. Looks like it's out of an RV to me. One cylinder, water cooled. Cheap. Could be a fun toy or a good anchor. Any of you fellas got a clue as to what make this is. Might be hard to get parts. Its about a 2 hour ride to go look at it.

Bob