I've got a power washer where the pump froze. Replacement of the pump is too expensive. In fact, I already bought another.
I believe the Briggs & Stratton Engine is around 5 hp. The HP is not listed, but the CC is given. From reading elsewhere, it looks like 5 hp is about right.
Let me say that none of this is carved in stone. I'm open to any and all suggestions. This is the engine I have. And it is now surplus. I want to use it for charging batteries during extended power failures. We are in a hurricane zone (Eastern North Carolina.)
I can pick up an auto alternator in the 60-80 amp variety. They are all over eBay. It will take same mechanical savvy to get it configured. I figure some sort of belt drive. (The engine shaft goes down like a lawnmower.) I figure to start the engine. Then have a lever that will tighten the belt and get the alternator turning. I suspect starting it with the alternator online could be a challenge. And there are few things more frustrating than a stubborn 4 cycle engine that won't start.
Many newer alternators are designed to work with the vehicle's onboard computer, I thought I'd buy one for an older vehicle. I'm guessing that the engine might stall if too hard a load is put on it. For that reason I've ruled out an alternator over 80 amps.
My issue is voltage regulation. Is this going to be such a big challenge as to prevent the juice being worth the squeeze?
Has anyone here tried this? If so, what approach and what challenges did you experience?
I'm not into reinventing the wheel.
Thanks, in advance, to anyone with experience in doing this.
Bach On
I believe the Briggs & Stratton Engine is around 5 hp. The HP is not listed, but the CC is given. From reading elsewhere, it looks like 5 hp is about right.
Let me say that none of this is carved in stone. I'm open to any and all suggestions. This is the engine I have. And it is now surplus. I want to use it for charging batteries during extended power failures. We are in a hurricane zone (Eastern North Carolina.)
I can pick up an auto alternator in the 60-80 amp variety. They are all over eBay. It will take same mechanical savvy to get it configured. I figure some sort of belt drive. (The engine shaft goes down like a lawnmower.) I figure to start the engine. Then have a lever that will tighten the belt and get the alternator turning. I suspect starting it with the alternator online could be a challenge. And there are few things more frustrating than a stubborn 4 cycle engine that won't start.
Many newer alternators are designed to work with the vehicle's onboard computer, I thought I'd buy one for an older vehicle. I'm guessing that the engine might stall if too hard a load is put on it. For that reason I've ruled out an alternator over 80 amps.
My issue is voltage regulation. Is this going to be such a big challenge as to prevent the juice being worth the squeeze?
Has anyone here tried this? If so, what approach and what challenges did you experience?
I'm not into reinventing the wheel.
Thanks, in advance, to anyone with experience in doing this.
Bach On