How to Build a Generator from a Car Engine

Dear Sir,

Just bolt that engines-transmission to the Power Take Off Shaft, connected to your chosen alternator.

Hope Thats of some help.

Joe

thanks for the info . where can I get more info ( like type of engine , rpm ,type of shaft and more ) thanks many times.

Hello luisdmk46

You have to start somewhere.

1. Do you have an Alternator (Output is AC)?
   
2. Do you have a Generator (Output is DC)?

Once you have the Electrical Supply Unit, (either of the above), then the car motor may be chosen more easily.

The Power output of the Electrical Supply Unit, will be (KVA and/or kW) at a certain RPM, and that information is needed, (Normally on the Nameplate), before the motive power (the car engine), may be chosen.

Reply here, with

Kind Regards....

A good rule of thumb is 2 engine HP per KWe needed. ie 16KW will require around 32HP from the engine. Remember, the stated HP for car engines is at peak HP speed. Usually somewhere between 3500 and 6000 RPM for a car engine. You are more concerned with the HP the engine makes at the speed you intend to run the motor at. Moot if you are going to run the motor at it's max HP RPM and gear it down. Other wise a good rough estimate is this: RPM(you intend to run) divided by the RPM(HP is rated at) multiplied by the rated HP ie a motor that produces 100 hp at 6000 RPM will make roughly 50 hp at 3000 rpm or roughly 25HP at 1500RPM.

This rough estimate is just that, an estimate. It assumes that torque is consistant across the power band(RPM range) Which, we know, it's not. It is usually close though.

Another thought, look at various water cooled standby generators on the market and note what size motors they use at different RPM and power levels. At 12 to 16 KW I have seen use 1.5-1.9 liter 4 cyls at 1800 rpm.

There is another way that is even cheaper, Block the car up on blocks and remove one rear tire. Then find a long belt and pulleys to match, then make a adapter to mount the larger pulley to the car Axel. Then build mount for generator and it is done. If you have a old car with cruise control you can use it to regulate the speed.

Have fun

Mike

The only problem with using cruise control is that it is a very rudimentary speed control setup. Terrible frequency regulation would most likely result. There are many belt driven genertor governors from Hoof (now Pierce) and others, available on the surplus market, that would work just dandy. I know of quite a few people who have done just what you propose. Do a Google search on homemade electric generators. You should come up with many leads.

This is what I did.

http://www.generatordepotusa.com/generators.asp?prod=GF2-20

Saved a lot of time, $$ and trouble.

If you wanted to do this on the cheap, you could simply bolt on a number of high performance altenators (12 volts and 250 AMP ones are available, typically used in high end car audio setups and ambulances). In this configuration of 4-6 altenators, the engine rpm isnt important as you can simply resize the pullys to spin the altenators at full speed while leaving the engine at idle. HP wont matter nearly as much as torque, but seeing how you wont be spinning a transmisson, ac pump, power steering pump, or have any other power draining electronics (other then the ignition) this should be childs play. If you want AC you can just run your DC output though an inverter. 16 Kw seems like overkill - what are you trying to run? My whole house is only about 18 Kw if I plug everything in and leave it running on maximum load (150 amp service), but it would actually be impossible for me to max that out because I run 25 watt compact flourescents in my light fixtures and have a couple of energy star appliances. Heck, they make welding kits that run just off of 1-2 car altenators you can get for your car.

Avery Montembeault

Sir/M'am,

You hit the nail on the head. I want to power 2 10kw power heads. All I am going to do, is try to modify the crank with the proper pulley and put the right sized pulleys on the power heads, to run them at the desired rpm. Thank you, thank you and thank you.

Hello: I was able to build a 10kw setup with a hyundai 4 cylinder gas engine and a belt driven generator from Northern Hydraulics. I have run into the the typical regulation problems that everyone else experienced. Still a work in progress... Here are a few pictures of the effort so far.

Hello Matt4925

A nice set of pictures, thank you.

The home-built alternator system generally does have some regulation problems.

Kind Regards....

Very nice work Matt. What are you using for a governor and what RPM does the engine turn at?

Just a video of the unit in operation...Matt

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

Alright Matt! You stepped up dude!

GA

hi, like the thread on the engine, i live in the hills of spain & have a knackered ford fiesta engine that i want to convert to a generator.

Can you reply with your email address so i can sort some advice from you. Thanks

Eddiehudson@hotmail.com

Hello;

You can contact me at matt4925@optonline.net with your questions and I will try to help.........Matt

hello!!

do you have more info or picture , I was looking for the type of generator that have . I have the engine. what part do I need for the home make generator. can you use that type of engine (4 cylinder) to make a 15kw generator. thanks for the info and your time . that is for all the people who take there time .

Hello;

The generator is made by Northern Hydraulics , and is model number 10000BDG 10Kw 220vac at 40 amp continous. I hope that helps.....Matt

hey can anybody help me with how building a generator that is solar powered and can genrate more than 5kw or just have any good ideas for a science project thanks