3G question
Fleet Owner
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 20,789
Likes: 1,753
From: Kentucky
1 HP equals ~750 watts. A 130 amp 3G is ~1900 watts. Assume 50% efficiency that means you need ~4 to 5 HP. Cheaper to buy an off the shelf generator IMHO.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,227
Likes: 4
From: Washington
Harbor Freight 3200 watt generator can be had for about $290. Versus about $100 for a cheap new motor, and $150 for a new alternator, plus pulleys, and fabricating something to mount all of this to. Then you've got to convert it to 120v if you aren't strictly charging 12v batteries.
And, as to the longevity of a Harbor Freight generator. I've put over 2000 hours on one before any major parts failed. The most frequent failure is the throttle return spring likes to break after about 3 months of daily use. I've even rear ended another car with one mounted on my front bumper, and the thing still ran like a champ. Haven't even changed the oil; just topped it off every once in a while.
And, as to the longevity of a Harbor Freight generator. I've put over 2000 hours on one before any major parts failed. The most frequent failure is the throttle return spring likes to break after about 3 months of daily use. I've even rear ended another car with one mounted on my front bumper, and the thing still ran like a champ. Haven't even changed the oil; just topped it off every once in a while.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,209
Likes: 12
From: Black Hills of SD
I have alternators, fabbing is no issue and I want a Honda, not a knock off. My rv can run on 110 or 12 volt and the only thing that is 110 is the a/c and the electric side of the fridge. I want something to keep the batterys charged when I am camping remote and the solar don't keep up. Also I could use it as a hot box to charge other batterys if needed. My preference for Honda is my experience with them and others plus they are quiet. I don't want to listen to a cheap box store generator wailing away.
And thanks for the formula rla, that's pretty much what I had guessed. Sometimes I find those Honda's cheap or free on power washers the pump died on> I have replaced a couple of crappy Tecumseh's that way. I've had one on my chipper about 8 years, drain the gas when I store it in the fall, gas it up in the spring and one pull start, every time.
And thanks for the formula rla, that's pretty much what I had guessed. Sometimes I find those Honda's cheap or free on power washers the pump died on> I have replaced a couple of crappy Tecumseh's that way. I've had one on my chipper about 8 years, drain the gas when I store it in the fall, gas it up in the spring and one pull start, every time.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 20,789
Likes: 1,753
From: Kentucky
I see no reason why you couldn't use your setup to charge batteries. That's what it is designed to do. The voltage regulator is internal.
One thing you will need is a way to turn on the alternator. Alternators require an "exciter" voltage. It could be a lead coming off the positive cable you connect to the battery. The problem comes in if the battery voltage is too low to "turn on" the alternator. I would think this would be a rare occurrence. You can McGyver a 9 volt battery to trigger on the alternator in a pinch.
One thing you will need is a way to turn on the alternator. Alternators require an "exciter" voltage. It could be a lead coming off the positive cable you connect to the battery. The problem comes in if the battery voltage is too low to "turn on" the alternator. I would think this would be a rare occurrence. You can McGyver a 9 volt battery to trigger on the alternator in a pinch.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,209
Likes: 12
From: Black Hills of SD
I see no reason why you couldn't use your setup to charge batteries. That's what it is designed to do. The voltage regulator is internal.
One thing you will need is a way to turn on the alternator. Alternators require an "exciter" voltage. It could be a lead coming off the positive cable you connect to the battery. The problem comes in if the battery voltage is too low to "turn on" the alternator. I would think this would be a rare occurrence. You can McGyver a 9 volt battery to trigger on the alternator in a pinch.
One thing you will need is a way to turn on the alternator. Alternators require an "exciter" voltage. It could be a lead coming off the positive cable you connect to the battery. The problem comes in if the battery voltage is too low to "turn on" the alternator. I would think this would be a rare occurrence. You can McGyver a 9 volt battery to trigger on the alternator in a pinch.
I once had a bus equipped about the same and a deep cycle 4D would run it for 3-4 days easy without needing charged. And that was with 7 of us showering and cooking. I didn't have solar assist on it. The furnace does stop working at 10.5 volts IIRC. I'll switch all the 12 volt lights to LED so they won't use much. So it's basically the water pump, furnace and an inverter to charge a laptop.
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Christopher2
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
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Aug 2, 2005 08:17 PM
