Anyone tried this

[cobra427]

Hi - New on here, so I'll try to keep it short n sweet..

In near future - I'm going to self build a kitcar

I was to equip my new garage (sore point at mo) with a genny so dragon doesn't complain about the elec bills.

I want to totally run the garage from the gen - so I though of using a diesel car eng to a suitable (5kva ish) alt

Has anyone tried this (in this - uk - country as I know they tend to do this in the states) or am I better off just finding an ex construction gen/comp unit (rocking horse manure expression comes to mind)

Dragon thinks Im a loon so feel free to agree with her

 

[madkayaker]

hello and welcome. Have you worked out the cost of fuel! cheaper to pay the leaky. Also will make a hell of racket and will be running full roor just to power the light bulb! On paper will work but the altinator might be hard to find. Used con gear is usual knackered when they flog it

 

[cobra427]

I was planning on using bio - cheaper.. but messy

My garage plans include a plant room so the gen and comp would be in another area.

looking into it - the yanks say that 2k rpm on an eng with cruise to adjust for loading.

Just wondered if anyone had done it over here..

 

[Hitch]

Im with the mad one above, use the electric that comes out of the sockets on the wall... much cheaper i would think, and far more neighbour friendly!
Unless your going to build an accoustic canopy for it...... then its deffo cheaper to pay the elec bill, especially all the times youll be standing about looking at your work!

 

[cobra427]

This is where my cunning plan came in..

Years ago - I remember when I used to build drag cars with my bro and few mates - in a freezing cold garage - the space heaters helped but you'd die from the fumes if the doors were shut... and it was too expensive to run the central heating out to it.

So... a pump will circulate coolant from the eng - through rads and back - giving me a slightly warmer space.

The dragon seems to be with the experts (you guys) on this - it's probably easier to go with running main out...

I just thought it might be viable solution.

 

[rtbcomp]

I'd be inclined to use mains leccy too, but have you considered running with propane and an old petrol engine?

You could install a line shaft and drive your drill press, compressor, lathe off it

 

[thinfourth]

Ah Ha what you are talking about is a very different idea that is a combined heat and power which for some reason is known as a CHiP where as one for domestic use is known as a microchip

providing you can get a small enough engine to run it near full load constantly then you are looking at a workable solution. i think a car engine is WAY too big as they are mostly around 100bhp where as you are needing about 10Bhp.

I would look at finding an small marine generator which are normally watercooled, of get an air cooled one and get it so that the air from the garage is ducted through it but the exhaust goes outside.

 

[Sid]

The problem is the fuel costs. Sooooooo much tax. Too expensive this way I think, even if the efficiency is higher. Too much noise as well.

Insulate the garage, then the heat demand will be much lower.

A lad I know was working on his car in a barn when we had all of that snow and low temperatures. He used halogen lights to provide light and radiant heat. He said he was nice and warm. You could use these, and go to fluorescent when it gets warmer. (The insulation will help the garage stay cooler in the summer as well).

I prefer to wear more clothes. Then when I get warm I remove a layer. Very cheap indeed. Oh, and more environmentally friendly, especially if you need good ventilation like when you are painting or using some potent glue etc.

 

[simon718]

i would just use the mains meself, but this strapped to a huge perkins diesel

 

[madkayaker]

i want! its not far from me

 

[Robotstar5]

Try Mecc Alte for your alternator, they have a Uk factory in Oakham.

 

[simon718]

i want! its not far from me

have absolutely no need for it but i want too hmm wouldnt mind making a generator

 

[madkayaker]

i wonder if there is a PTO of the dobolo?

 

[simon718]

i would doubt it the engines the wrong way round for a start

 

[madkayaker]

doubt it to

 

[cobra427]

I think I need to talk to some of our friends from across the pond on this - they seem to do it all the time...

 

[simon718]

no chance of u using the mains electricity mate? could even install a seperate meter so you can tell how much electricity you are using, they're not dear, less than £20 from a wholesalers

 

[cobra427]

Boys n Girls

I give you....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tXpUKQ8PMI

 

[Woody.v8]

I would have thought that the alternator would probably require around 100 hp plus to run at 1500 hp for any amount of time

 

[shenion]

100HP would be 60KVA.

My 8KVA house backup genny has a 26HP engine. The same engine is geared differently for the 10KVA model.

Even running on natural gas, it works fine. 10KW is only 13.4HP. I have seen 10KVA generators with 16-20HP engines.