Belt Driven Generator

[JackE]

Originally Posted by sproutroot

somehow the image I attached here was forbidden by google, so I sketched this up.

Attachment 44408

I plan on doing this method of charging, but I don't know what the amp output is on my alternator. How can I find this out? My alt. no longer has a label on it.

Also, how do you balance the charge rate between the two big bus batteries and the deep cycle characteristics of the house batteries? I seem to remember the two types of batteries like to be charged at differently.

[PNW_Steve]

Something to keep in mind, automotive alternators are not rated for continuous duty. If you try and draw 150 Amps continuous from a 180 Amp alternator you will let the magic smoke out in short order.

I would suggest contacting the alternator manufacturers and ask what the continuous duty rating is on the alternators that you are looking at.

[sproutroot]

There are isolators for every application depending on how much money you want to put into this.

Some are really just solenoids that open the circuit when the ignition is shut off. This is what I have. You have to be careful with these. I have a manual override on it so that I can avoid voltage spikes during startup, and boiling my deep cells during charging. Boiling is a problem when your house batteries are significantly depleted. It's also a problem once they're close to fully charged. Basically I act as the "almost-smart charger", monitoring the voltage on both ends of the circuit, and let the alternator regulator do the rest.

I honestly would not recommend the above. You've got to be a student of voltage and battery percentage all the time to get it to work, and it only takes one screw-up to be up s#!*s creek.

There are also battery isolators with DC/DC converters built right in. These can be even more fancy than your inverter/chargers. Staged charging voltages and amperages. Minimize alternator fatigue. All kinds of bells and whistles.

Then there's everything in between these two options. Tons to choose from.

[gclarkv]

This guy has a belt-driven gen setup.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsjZ...&index=22&t=0s

[alpine44]

Auragen makes military grade belt-driven generator/inverters with massive output. Some of their inverters are powered by a 24 Volt battery bank if the engine/generator is not running. If running, the generator will then power the inverter and recharge the battery.

Viper.pdf

I have one of these systems (8500 Watt AC output from generator or 24 VDC battery) hooked up to a small diesel engine for emergency power at my home.

Since I am changing over to a 36 Volt photovoltaic system with a DIY backup engine/generator, I may be interested in selling the 24 VDC to 110 VAC Auragen system.

Please PM if interested.