Homemade Inverter Generator - Version 1.1 - 1500 Watts Power Load Test

[bmwexer]

Whats your point why not just buy generator

[fredriktaaje]

easy to calculate: Voltage lower than 12,2 Volts is definently not charging the battery...To charge the battery and run the inverter and still have some energy to keep up driving with generator paused for small loads you have to bring up the voltage and amperage.. Look at you car: You will see that 14- 14,4 volts is ideal and drops a little when you run fans and big electrical consumers. Run with a smaller battery and check it out... But nice project :-)

[NOLIMIT69NOLIMIT2000]

That alternator is not running fast enough. Should use a 6 to 8 inch pulley on the motor and stock pulley on the alternator.

[AlternativePowerMan]

@NOLIMIT69NOLIMIT2000 You're wrong. I have the spec sheet on the alternator's RPM power curve and its working perfectly. The alternator is producing approx 150 amps DC in this video, just as I had planned.

[NOLIMIT69NOLIMIT2000]

@AlternativePowerMan No actually you are wrong. You need to reread your spec sheet. An alternator starts making it's good and peak power around 4000rpm minimum. Peaking between 5000 and 7000rpm depending on the alternator. Most lawnmower engines don't run above 4000rpm unless highly modded with a bunch of new parts. Just look at the pulley your car has to run one. You need at least a 4 or 5 inch to achieve that at WOT on that engine.

[AlternativePowerMan]

@NOLIMIT69NOLIMIT2000 Here ya go jackass, read it yourself. (go to delcoremydotcom /Alternator/Models/24SI-Heavy-­­­Duty-Alternator.aspx) The engine is at 3600 RPM, and its not running WOT either!! Look and you'll see that at 3600 RPM the output is around 135 amps. I ran a load test for 30 minutes (started with a drained battery actually) which proves my math that the thing is making at least 145 amps. Go read more books before you shoot your mouth off. BTW the engine not WOT either.

[AlternativePowerMan]

@NOLIMIT69NOLIMIT2000 Your comment about car pulleys proves how little you know. haha

[crazyteamcrew]

very nice :D

[frosty9595]

With that low of input voltage I would have to guess your alternator isnt keeping up and the battery is being drained.

[AlternativePowerMan]

@frosty9595 Nope not true. The input voltage is within spec of the inverter so that is really all that matters. It is lower than the typical 14VDC due to the cabling, and this only occurs at full output. Read the notes I posted, this is not what I designed the system for, but did want to test it at its limits to see how it would hold up. I went on your youtube page, because you posted other comments. Seems the best you have to offer is showing us how to start an engine. Build a genny soon? :-)

[AlternativePowerMan]

@frosty9595 Also if I wanted to, I can hook up a remote sense wire, and measure the voltage at the battery. This could cause the alternator to automatically adjust its output via the feedback mechanisim. If the need arises to do that then I will.

[frosty9595]

@AlternativePowerMan Funny you should ask if im building one. Just uploaded a video of my rough test this morning right before reading your reply. ;-)

[klp4d]

The generator part of your setup what is the output your producing before your inverter takes over and boosts the wattage.

[AlternativePowerMan]

@klp4d An inverter does not and can not boost wattage. It can only convert voltage from DC to AC. Since my AC load is 1530 watts, then the DC wattage will be a bit more due to loss.

[deadman12078]

@AlternativePowerMan What if you had the same setup but will a pulley system so the motor wouldn't have to work as hard? Then could you run a larger inverter with more load? Have a 3000w inverter.

Heard it is more efficient to use an alternator from a diesel engine (big rig) because the RPM can be lower and you would need less torque to turn the alternator.

[AlternativePowerMan]

@deadman12078 The motor is not working hard. Direct shaft drive is more efficient than pulleys. When I did my design I considered the HP of the engine, its operating RPM range, and the power curve of the alternator. I can produce 500 watts at very low RPM, or crank out 1500 watts at the governer rate of 3600 RPM. I might buy a 3000 watt inverter too someday, and will change nothing else other than the DC wiring. With a low RPM diesel yes pulleys will likely be better.

[RCvolunteer1978]

but can it run a coffee pot / two lights / CB Radio ???

[AlternativePowerMan]

@RCvolunteer1978

Depends on the combined wattage of the coffee pot, two lights and CD radio. This inverter can run 1500 watt load indefinitely. if you stuff is less than that, then the answer is yes.

[RCvolunteer1978]

@AlternativePowerMan There are Coffee pots that pull a lot of wattages the CB radio Citizen Band Radios pull only 5 to 8 watts on 12 volts for a car but as a base unit it can be 25w to 100w depending on the how it was build

[jonathans1212]

love these inverters mine is 1200watt

[tonymac96]

How you did de coupling between the alternator and the engine ?? ...It looks very good !!!!

[AlternativePowerMan]

@tonymac96

That coupling is called a spider drive (its a knuckle drive), etc. I just bought it and put it into place. I got my at Princess Auto.