Micro CoGen.

Looking to make an off grid 48v bank charger for mobile applications (utility/golf cart type banks) when coupling a 555-JHO to a small engine like a gx series honda, It has been advised to use one of the marine voltage regulators for soft start and ramping up.  Question is, in this setup do also need to use an MPPT charge controller?

Surplus center has some 26hp Kawasaki liquid cooled twins for under 1k right now.  Might be decent project engine for CHP?  Not sure how they are on fuel.

Any thoughts good bad or otherwise on a 2-stroke 2-53 diesel stationary configuration for a genset?  I've seen they were used similarly to what I have in mind by railroad for reefer operations, and I think some Telco's relied on them for backup power as well.  I'm wanting to purchase a local stationary 2-53 that is stuck for the learning experience of rebuilding a 2-stroke detroit, but I was thinking of an application after that.  Probably trailer mounting with a 20-25kw direct drive genhead.

Looks like Tesla is going to sell batteries for RE installs

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-02-12/tesla-planning-battery-for-emerging-home-energy-storage-market