Kohler, or Subaru-powered genset?

[Len Silva]

I think that Subaru engine is, at it's heart, a Wisconsin Robin. If that is true then I think it's one of the finest small engines ever built, at least until Honda came along.

[uncle ned]

bevans

if you that austin engine for a generator.   You will have the most expensive generator out there.

but it will be quite and good.

From a fellow with a bunch of mg's  a&b"s.  can't get into the sprites and migets  to small

uncle ned

[bevans6]

It  was a trade-in for a rebuilt 1275 that I put into a bugeye sprite for a guy, hence it was free because I sold him the new engine at full price anyway...  It probably needs a rebuild, he thought it did anyway.

Lot's of ways to skin a cat.  I am just leaning heavily towards the DC powerplant idea.  Two 125 amp 24 volt alternators should draw less than 5 hp each.  Easy to make a belt drive off the flywheel.  electric start, water cooled, simple as all get out.  I don't know how to make a governor for the throttle though.

Brian

[Busted Knuckle]

Brian,
I think your right about Cody's Honda size. I do know it looks just like Vans, but I recall Cody wanting the next size up or another just like it to pair together because he couldn't run all 3 roof warts off it. He could do 2 if he was careful to make sure the compressor was off on #1 while starting #2 and such. (if I recall correctly!)

Van if the Eagle in that pic was white w/box fan on door I'd thought that was Cody's! LOL! (btw his ain't electric start either, but we almost added it once before Libby told him it was more than his allowance for the week! LOL)
 BK  

PS you could be 4' away from Cody's and not hear it running! (but the breeze from the box fan gave it away for me every time!

[TomC]

Which ever engine you choose, make sure it is an overhead valve engine-not a flat head. Flat heads tend to load up with carbon more so then overhead valve.  You can tell the difference-overhead valve will have a valve cover typically with OHV on it.
I also like the idea of mounting it in the engine compartment or hanging out the back of the bus.  Then you can run it running down the road also.  Good Luck, TomC

[dougyes]

At the request of a bus owner we installed a Chinese Diesel generator sold by Home Depot in a bay. We fire proofed and insulated the bay. vented it with a powerful fan and added a car exhaust to quiet it down and move the exhaust out the bottom of the bus. It works well, runs alot hotter than a water cooled unit and is still very noisy, but when you are driving down the road it's not that noticeable.