Thinking about building a small Diesel DC powerplant

[Hal]

Kind of late to this thread I'm afraid but thought this might be of some interrest. About two years ago when fuel was almost $5 a gallon, I started a DC genset project. I  sourced a single cylinder Kubota, water cooled double balance shaft diesel. I'm driving a 200 amp 12 volt alternator, using a Zantrex 3 stage regulator with battery heat sensor. I plan on running at 2000 rpm, @150 amps to charge the battery bank. I have a heat exchanger to heat domestic water through my marine water heater (double walled of course). I have a Trace SW2512 which has load sharing so running a single air should be possible. Kubota claims a fuel usage figure of 8 hours per gallon at rated load. The sound box is on the drawing board using Bob Belters' design and will be quiet enough to run without anyone hearing a thing outside the bus.That's the plan anyway. Just need to get the time to finish it.
Hal

[bevans6]

would an engine like this be a good choice for a DC power plant?  I am thinking of a single DN50 alternator, running the engine around 2000 rpm. 

http://www.dieselenginemotor.com/diesel/engines/4179,1.html

Brian

[Zeroclearance]

Hal, Thanks for posting your experiences.   

Brian, I have looked at the single cylinder diesels and have come down to conclusion that for smooth quiet running I need to purchase a small 3 cylinder Yanmar or Kubota.   

I have received a few PM's from this email for updates.   I have purchased my 400 amp 24V alternators and need to write out a check for the powerplant.

 

[TomC]

Brian-that little 3 cylinder engine would be perfect! Quiet, smooth, long lasting.  Good Luck, TomC

[Hal]

The single cylinder Kubota I bought uses double balance shafts and is remarkably smooth for a single. It is limited in hp and wouldn't work in your application but should work for my modest wattage requirements. The primary use is to charge batteries as running a 20k genset 3+ hours a day with limited load (without air of course) makes little sense. $12 to $15 a day to keep the refer going vs $1.50 makes it  practical. Hal

[NewbeeMC9]

Hal, Thanks for posting your experiences.   

Brian, I have looked at the single cylinder diesels and have come down to conclusion that for smooth quiet running I need to purchase a small 3 cylinder Yanmar or Kubota.   

I have received a few PM's from this email for updates.   I have purchased my 400 amp 24V alternators and need to write out a check for the powerplant.

 

I this the two 200 amps with a fancy dual controlling regulator or what did you end up with?



Pics-pics!


Pretty-Please!!

[Kenny]

Any updates on the DC powerplant?