220V of main engine

[jfkal]

Researching the option of getting 220V off an engine driven alternator. Sterling and Driftgate are selling those. Any other sources, comments, experiences (ie aircon running off it etc)?

 

[ccscott49]

You can use any of them, they are all expensive. Especially ones with enough power to drive an air conditioner. You must also check to see if your engine can handle an extra twin belt drive pulley on the end of it's crankshaft, with the associated side forces. The engine manufacturers will let you know how much the crank front bearing/seal will take. It's not just a simple bolt on goodie. You can of course just replace your existing alternator, but the drive belt system is not normally up to the loads. You also need to consider whether you want your main engine running everytime you want power for anything. I considered all this, then bought a seperate generator and inverter for small loads. IMHO of course.

 

[jfkal]

Thanks, much appreciated. Which gen are you using and at what cost?

 

[ccscott49]

I have the new 4kw, fischer panda, cost approx £4.5k, but there are cheaper ones. I would reccomend the FP however as it's totaly freshwater cooled with stainless heatexchanger, quiet and compact. Mine has just done one season, running 9 hours a day, for seven months, with only very minimal maintainance. I have no connection with the company, in fact I had an old type which was raw water cooled and it was a dog! Have a look at their website. They are doing some deals.

 

[aod]

Interestingly enough I have just heard from a friend of mine who has just dumped an onboard generator after less than a years use. It seems it leaked oil every where and when she pursued it with the manufacturer they laughed because it was only guaranteed for 300 hours running. I only mention this because it's worth your while researching the terms of the guarantee.

 

[ccscott49]

My old one did that, found out it was a jammed crankcase breather valve, eventually! Then the water system sprang so many leaks, it ingested its own water and seized it up! Thats was also a fischer, but that was also a long time ago, they have come on leaps and bounds since then. They are I think, the only company offering a totally fresh water cooled marine genny for 4kw, but of course could be wrong.

 

[spannerman]

Volvo make a bolt on 220v alternator kit which may fit your engine, no idea on price but they do a 2.2kw and a 3.5kw system.

regards Steve

 

[stubate]

in theory you could fit another vehicule alternator with a control from the battery to the exitation circuit, as you put more into the circuit the more you get out of the alternator, thats very simplistic but in theory thats how it work. you would have to bypass the rectification circuit on the out put and figure out how to use a potentiometer on the exciter (i suspect that that is what the sterling thing does)
maybe a second hand wagon alternator (bit beefier) and some experimentation ?
stu