(Very) Cheap Generator

Re: As I say again ... I don\'t disagree ...

[ QUOTE ]
What we need is someone with plenty of time ,to take the alternator off and fit an auto. 12volt alternator on,then we would have a serious bit of kit for battery charging

[/ QUOTE ]

I had a Honda genny with an "expired" generator, it now powers a 12V alternator and gets stowed on the boat for if the worst ever happens and I'm left with 2 flat batteries.
Works a treat.
 
Don't worry! ... I've had similar comments when posting leads to various 'cheap bargains'. It's only information for people to use if they choose. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

On the original thread: the output of my cheapo gen (badged MAXIMA - same as Wolf and numerous others) was all over the place until I relealised the governor had never been set up. Once accurately set to 50Hz it maintains voltage/fequency very well up to rated output...... though I only use it for 'non-electronic' loads.

Vic
 
[ QUOTE ]
<snip> though I only use it for 'non-electronic' loads.

Vic

[/ QUOTE ]Those are the magic words....... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
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hammer.thumb.gif
"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
sailroom <span style="color:red">The place to auction your previously loved boatie bits</span>
 
Correction ....

"Which they are IMHO and as you have already said you have had problems powering a "smart" battery charger from one as have others."

Have just retried the Wolf 800 and my Smart Float Charger and it worked .... found a duff connection must have stopped it working before.
I have also looked through the manual and all papers that came with it .... nowhere is there any disclaimer comment about not using it with electronic eqpt etc.

So I stand even more firm with my £45 Wolf 800.
 
Don\'t be sorry ..... It is useful to many.

Some just feel they have to safeguard others pockets .... !! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Each item has its place and care in use of the very item you highlight is not a problem.

Many people like them, have them and are happy. Do not despair that some poo poo the thought ....

I was unlucky that B&Q Havant were always sold out when I went for one .... as the guy said there ... when they come in he literally doesn't get chance to put on shelf - it's grabbed there and then.
 
Re: No Expert here....but

[ QUOTE ]
Talking about outboards

[/ QUOTE ] Not really quite the same, as the "alternators" on small outboards are fixed coils and permanent magnets, no field coils or brushes and slip rings.

I dont know what the output is like but they rise to quite high voltages under light loads as there is no regulation either. Perhaps Cliff'll put his 'scope on one. I dont have access to one now.('scope that is). However if you are using them to power any electronics you will have the output rectified and also connected to the battery. That will smooth out all the spikes quite effectively. I do know that the one time I ran my Autohelm directly from the rectified outboard output with no battery connected I blew its voltage control circuits. The engineers at Nautech were so suprised at what they found they managed to contact me about it at work!

The real trouble with cheap generators is going to be with the modern "switch mode" chargers where you have electronic circuits running at the input voltage.

12 volt electronics with the generator suppling power to the battery via a conventional battery charger should not be harmed. Provided the battery really is connected. Its a different matter for mains voltage equipment running dirctly from the genny

Can anyone explain why the output from these generators is so rough. Why is it so bad compared with the output from your main engine alternator, or the big alternators at a power station.
 
Re: No Expert here....but

re sbc comments,
you got my vote ....as I said in my earlier post what do you expect for 30 quid ....they are great for what they cost, and lets face it B&Q must have sold a couple of thousend of assorted gennys nationaly.......now I don't see any news reports about " thousends of genny's being returned or recalled cos they are crap" does any one else?

I'm going back to B&Q tomorrow to have a good look at the small ones to see if I can alter one to drive a alternator as some one on here suggested.................cos they are.....cheap as chips !!!! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Re: No Expert here....but

This is the business end. The pulley was bored out to fit the parallel part of the shaft.
All of the bits used were found in my shed!
Hope it helps.....

PC300020.jpg


PC300019.jpg


PC300018.jpg
 
In fact .... conversions ...

Has got me thinking about strimmer engines etc. There must be loads of people out there with crapped out strimmers etc. The possibilities of all-sorts of utility engines where the biz end has fallen apart etc.

Frame up, convert a few pulleys .... car alternator and bingo.
 
Re: No Expert here....but

!5 years ago I could have given you chapter and verse, now it's from distant memory.
The cheap gen sets do not / or did not in the past use an alternator to generate mains voltage, but a inductance type circuit. Depending on what type of load is applied the inductance circuit can collapse, alter voltage or shift slightly. At the time Sealine started fitting the small Panda gen set, and we were getting the mains charger causing the circuit to callapse, due to the transfomer inductance. We got round it by fitting large capacitors to gen output side, I think from memory!. The larger gen sets used an alternator to generate mains, and did not have the same problem, they had others.

Brian
 
Re: In fact .... conversions ...

It's just a 35 amp one that was in the bottom of a cupboard, I think it's off a Ford - could be anything!
Engine is a Honda G200 5hp (bigger than needed, but the only one I'd got! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif)
 
Surge / Spike box ...

Must admit thought crossed my mind as well ...but are they any good ? I know the IT guys we use don't rate the cheap multiple socket ones very highly for use on our PC's ...

But could be an answer.
 
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