I've got Chinese generators all over the place. I've got two new KingCraft 3500 watt units I got new for $199 each at ALDIs. Also got a Jetman, and a few ETQ and Honeywell inverter generators. Many make poor quality AC power. Good for most uses but very poor for some things (like running battery chargers).
My point being - I'm not in lack of generators. Main issue is I'd like to install one at a remote cabin I have that has a 12 volt battery bank and solar electric. I like to mount it permanently. I need a way to run a big 12 volt battery charger once in awhile and I'd like to use propane. Main reason being I've already got a 500 gallon propane tank there and there are no long-term storage issues with propane as there is with gasoline.
I've already got these new generators with the Subaru engines that run on propane plus they have electric start. I paid nothing for them and would like to get some use from them. I know the Subaru-Robin are one of the best small engines make.
If there was an easy way to get it to put out 13-15 volts DC it would be of use to me as a direct 12 bulk battery charger. If I can cheaply convert it to AC, I can still use it hooked up to a separate electronic charger (maybe).
Most portable AC generators do a poor job powering conventional battery chargers. A charger rated for 50 amps output will often barely make 20 amps when run off a portable gen. The exceptions are . . . inverter generators OR using a high tech electronic battery charger like Trace or Iota sells (very pricey). Also there are portable generator "enhancers" around that improve their AC output (again, pricey).
I have a battery bank that if run down, I can get by with a 50 amp charger. But, a 150 amp charger is much better. At present, one of my inverters has a built in 150 amp charger. But it requires clean AC power and it must be 55 amps at 120 volts AC. That is hard to do. One way to power it is to use a portable gen with 220 volts/30 amps and hook it to a step-down transformer to make 60 amps at 120 VAC (again, pricey).
Some people build engine driven DC chargers made from auto alternators and they work very well. A 5-6 horse engine easily powers a 150 amp DC alternator.
Back to my original point. I've already got these brand new units and they cost me absolutely nothing. If I can get some use from them without much investment, I'd be very happy about it. With small AC generators - I've looked at parts breakdowns and see no voltage regulators listed. So I'm wondering if some are only controlled by amount of windings and fixed RPMs?
By the way, I've got a 17 KW Fairbanks Morse genset already at the cabin. It puts out 70 amps on the 120 VAC circuit. But, it's got a four cylinder watercooled 140 c.i. Continental flathead engine that eats a lot of gasoline quickly. It's way too big for the job. A small 6-8 horse engine could accomplish the same task if set up right.
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Today's Featured Article - Sunday Drives - by Cowboy. Summer was finally upon us here in Northern Maine. We have two types of industry up here, one being "Forestry" (Wood Products) and the other "Farming" (Potatoes). There is no shortage of farm tractors and equipment around here! I have been restoring old Farm Tractors for the past 6 years, and have found it easier and less expensive to hit all the auctions and purchase whole tractors for parts needed. My wife who works at a local school, and only has weekends and summers off, while on t
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