Hi Kevin
On (11 Aug 97) Kevin Crosby wrote to Alec Cameron...
 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) to run
 CH> a generator.  By careful selection of components, it would probably
 CH> be made to be quite efficient at that speed. Maybe even run it off
 CH> piped-in natural gas for co-generation.
Second thoughts..... the original engine mfr probably spent around $100, 000
experimenting to get the cam profile and ign timing at best possible. How
would a handyman improve on that? Calculations? Cut and try? Instrumentation
like dynamometer test and fuel efficiency....Pretty rough as a DIY project I
reckon and hardly likely to be a good outcome.
 AC> Real David and Goliath! I suppose you are not proposing that an auto
 AC> generator be the partner!! But could you easily find a suitable
 AC> generator??
 KC> Perhaps a -bank- of alternators feeding a large bank of batteries?
Sounds dreadful, very lossy and lots of maintenance. Six alternators give
about six times as much trouble as one.
Just
 KC> add 
 KC> an inverter.  U.S. Navy used to use batteries as back-up for the nav 
 KC> equipment...120 VDC to a motor, which was direct-coupled to a 120 
volt/400
 KC> Hz 
 KC> generator.
 Very familiar WW2 technology, gadgets I used to buy as a schoolboy at war
disposals sales. My favourite was an airforce IFF set [identification friend
or foe]. Was 24v dc input, 1200v dc output and had an outboard multiple set 
f
commutators for encoding the "I'm a Goodie" transmissions so as to inhibit
Friendly Fire. Eventually I used this for driving an industrial sewing
machine.  
Cheers....ALEC
... Me drive? I'll take the train as the good Lord intended!  ^oo   oo^oo   
oo^
--- PPoint 1.92
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