Another Generator Question

[Glennman]

I have a 12kw Kubota generator (Wrico) installed in my '74 MCI. I plan to get rid of the bus, so I'm thinking of putting the generator in my '02 MCI. Currently, I do not have a generator, only solar. My thinking is that I really don't need 12kw, since I would only need to charge my system during cloudy days, etc. That being said, is a 12kw generator too much power, since it would be charging through a mere 3000 watt Victron Multi-Plus? Would I only be wasting fuel?

[Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM]

I have the 12kW Wrico too, and it is a great generator. It is overkill for what you need unless you are running 2-3 A/C units.  It will drink about 5/8 gallon of fuel when running, but they are great generators, and if you already have it, why not use it?

The downside is that a small Honda 1,000kW generator is all you really need to charge your batteries up on a rainy day, and they are much easier to move around.  But they run on gas, not diesel, and if left outside are prone to theft in some areas.

Remember, too, if you install a Wrico generator in your bus, it will need a diesel fuel supply and return line, which is a bit more work, but that way, you are only dealing with one source of fuel in your bus unless you also have propane appliances.

[Glennman]

Thanks Gary,

I watched a video of a guy that found a used 4K watt diesel generator and was able get it running. I would trade mine for one in a minute. I hate the idea of installing that beast for what little I would need it. I prefer not to use gasoline too. I'll wait it out for a while and see what comes up in the used market.

[luvrbus]

You should be able to buy a used light tower from a rental yard with a good Kubota water cooled engine in the 4000 to 6000 w range you defiantly don't want the noise air cooled China made diesel they sell in 4000w generators. What does a 12,000 w Wirco sell for, I know the 12500w Onan QD cost almost $20,000.00 now with shipping and taxes   

[belfert]

You might be a good candidate for a gasoline inverter generator.  I know they won't last as long, and the exhaust is an issue, but they work good for smaller loads.

[luvrbus]

You might be a good candidate for a gasoline inverter generator.  I know they won't last as long, and the exhaust is an issue, but they work good for smaller loads.

He can shop and buy a used light tower with a liquid cooled diesel engine from 500 to 1000 bucks and they are very quite,I bought 4 for project from Iron Planet,I only paid $750.00 for a new one with 3 hr total run it had been wrecked, I didn't care about sheet metal damage I all wanted the engine and generator, I know he can buy the light towers all day long for under $2000.00 with 3 to 7000 hrs run time and they last for over 20,000 hrs before requiring work,you have a lot of choices in engines in the light towers ,I had 2 with Kubota, 1 with a Cat and 1 with a Yanmar they are only 10 to 12 hp a quart of fuel will run one for almost 2 hours they all run @1800 rpm   

[Glennman]

Thanks luvrbus. I'll have to look into that!

[Glennman]

Back when we were traveling from Springfield Missouri to Waco Texas, we had to run the mini split the night before leaving while it poured down rain. It was so hot and miserable that we couldn't sleep. By the time we got to Waco, because of not being able to fully recharge the system driving in cloudy weather, we ran completely out of power 10 minutes after pulling into our friend's driveway. We were luckily able to hook up and get things charged. That is what's driving my inquiries into the whole generator thing.

I got to thinking that since my mini split is the largest draw I have, suppose I installed a dedicated 24V to 110V inverter, connect it to the bus system, and run the mini split on that while driving. Then I can just plug the mini split into the house system when reaching my destination. That would take most of the need for a generator away. What do you think?

[dtcerrato]

We sometimes run our roof air on the inverter with the battery bank feeding the inverter being charged by the engine alternator to save fuel on the genny.

[belfert]

Yes, you should be able to connect a 24 volt inverter to the coach electrical system.  I did it on my bus for a number of years until I switched to 48 volt for my house batteries and inverter.  I recommend a Victron 24 volt inverter without charger.  They are good units that are fairly inexpensive.

On my DINA I removed the coach A/C as it was badly broken, and very expensive to repair.  There is a large solenoid in the back that supplied power to the A/C system.  I used the output of that solenoid as the 24 volt feed to the inverter.  I ran a control wire to the front of the bus to turn the solenoid on and off.

[luvrbus]

I have 225 amp alternator on my military Humvee that produces both AC and DC current, it was a radio unit in the military, a smart guy could probably figure out how they do it since a alternator is AC converted to DC, it's above my pay scale 

[Glennman]

Yes, you should be able to connect a 24 volt inverter to the coach electrical system.  I did it on my bus for a number of years until I switched to 48 volt for my house batteries and inverter.  I recommend a Victron 24 volt inverter without charger.  They are good units that are fairly inexpensive.

On my DINA I removed the coach A/C as it was badly broken, and very expensive to repair.  There is a large solenoid in the back that supplied power to the A/C system.  I used the output of that solenoid as the 24 volt feed to the inverter.  I ran a control wire to the front of the bus to turn the solenoid on and off.

Thank you belfert. I'll look into the Victron w/out charger. I know this is getting even deeper, and I am somewhat lacking on knowledge, but would a DC to DC charger achieve the same goal? Or, suppose a guy connected a 3000 watt inverter/charger to the bus system and use it to not only run the mini split, but also to charge the house system at the same time? Am I crazy???

[belfert]

A DC to DC charger can also be used to charge your batteries and supply your inverter. However, you will be limited on how many amps are supplied.  Victron also makes these.

[luvrbus]

Thank you belfert. I'll look into the Victron w/out charger. I know this is getting even deeper, and I am somewhat lacking on knowledge, but would a DC to DC charger achieve the same goal? Or, suppose a guy connected a 3000 watt inverter/charger to the bus system and use it to not only run the mini split, but also to charge the house system at the same time? Am I crazy???

[luvrbus]

DC to DC chargers don't produce enough amps to replace the used power drawn from your AC I see people with 4 DC to DC chargers on large battery banks. I installed the 12/12/50 Victron DC to DC charger on my daughters RV with 2 -110 amp LifeP04 batteries it won't keep up if you use any power driving, the DC to DC chargers are designed for the Lifepo4 batteries they are useless on flooded type  batteries I was told, Victron answer to the problem was spend another $200 + and use one for each battery. If a alternator would charge the high dollar lifepo4 batteries I would toss the Victron DC to DC charger