David asks…
making a strong generator out of alternators?
ok so if my house uses 1.28 kW hrs how many alternators can i run to power how many battery’s that will go in the power inverter? i plan on mounting the alternators to on Stand and using a 8hp side shaft engine running the belt around all alternators.
admin answers:
Alternators are used in cars because they are more efficient than d.c. Generators.
So, you have an 8hp power plant and want to store power in batteries using alternators. The alternators will be mounted on a stand?
Assuming 100ah alternators, and you want 1280 watts at mains voltage,
1280 / 12 = 106.66 amps of battery drawn current on a 100% efficient inverter and batteries.
Assuming losses in the system a battery bank of at least 200ah and 3 alternators should cope.
More batteries are better and you have not given a charge period or how long the 1.28kwh will be drawn, so I have assumed worst case charging and supply for only 1 hour.
Thomas asks…
I’m building 2 generators and i need 84 alternators. Is there a way to get out of the 84X core charges?
The core carge is to make a buyer bring in the one he/she is replaceing. Im not replaceing any…
so how do i avoid the 50 or 75 dollar core charge? It could potentially save me quite alot.
admin answers:
Generally speaking, there is no way to get out of a core charge from a retailer for something like that, as they core (the old unit) goes back to the manufacturer and is rebuilt, so it saves on building new ones and “saves the earth.” It is also to provide info on why the other unit went bad. Unfortunatly they do this on almost everything now a days. Get it from ebay or someone who has one sitting in the shop, that will bypass it. Otherwise, 99% guaranteed that you will be paying the core. (or, go get yourself a broken one from a junk yard for $5 and turn that in, ive done it many a time).
Also, im assuming you just want an altenator that just works, if you want one for an actual generator, it will be the same thing, just a different store.
Jenny asks…
My Generator/Volt warning light came on, How do I know what the problem is?
I drive a 1987 Pontiac 6000, 2.8L, 4 door base model. Last night while driving, my generator/volt warning light came on. It looks like a battery icon and was illuminated bright red. I immediately hopped online to do research and found that it could mean various things, such as: the alternator is in need of replacing, the regulator isn’t working, something with the battery, or even a wiring/dash glitch.
I just replaced my battery a few weeks ago with a brand new one, so I definitely am writing that off. How do I know what the problem is without having to waste money on a diagnostic check at a body shop? If I knew it DEFINITELY was the alternator, I’d buy it and install it myself, but I don’t want to put out the money if it is something small like a regulator. Around here, alternators go for around $120 for my make and model. Thanks for any advice.
admin answers:
Your voltage regulator is inside the alternator now days, you will have to replace the alternator to replace it unless you know how to tear the alternator apart and put a new one in, I would go to autozone and get a free charging system check but I think you will find out you have a bad alternator or a loose serpentine belt.
Powered by Yahoo! Answers