Hi Craig
On (06 Aug 97) Craig Healy wrote to Alec Cameron...
 CH> I have a three horse Briggs from a factory sweeper (propane)
 CH> belted to an older Chrysler alternator.  It's used as a battery
 CH> charger away from the AC mains.  Stuck car in the woods sort
 CH> of thing.
Three HP should easily handle any auto alternator, an alternator delivering
80 amps at 12volts should need less than 1.5 shaft HP.
 CH> It works pretty well, but the alternator takes more power at high
 CH> ampere loads than the engine can supply.
Which may mean that either the chosen rpm is unsuited, or the engine is worn
or off- tune. Then! there is the tendency of engine makers to lie about rated
HP!! ;-)
 CH> I have often considered using a V-8 automotive engine with much
 CH> altered cam and ignition timing running at 540 RPM (PTO speed)
 CH> to run a generator.  By careful selection of components, it
 CH> would probably be made to be quite efficient at that speed.
 CH> Maybe even run it off piped-in natural gas for co-generation.
Real David and Goliath! I suppose you are not proposing that an auto 
enerator
be the partner!! But could you easily find a suitable generator??
For co- generation I suppose you would deserve a Good Citizen award. Your
initial costs and running costs would greatly exceed the Utility credits for
the energy you give them.  Cheers....ALEC
... .....In two words: Im- possible [Sam Goldwyn]
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