Using 36 Volt generator/alternator to charge house betteries?

Hello Everyone,

I am installing solar and upgraded house batteries in my RV. I will have a 24v - 370A/H battery bank and need backup charging for times when solar production is not adequate.

I have come across a diesel 36v generator. Basically a small diesel motor with a 36 volt alternator.

What I am considering is using the 36 VDC generator to feed a 40A MPPT charge controller to charge my 24v battery bank.

My RV is diesel and I don't want to have to carry gasoline. Otherwise I would buy a little Honda inverter generator.

What do you all think of this plan? Suggestions?

Thanks.

S.

Comments

  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    you might  a 24V truck Voltage regulator to fit onto it.  Otherwise you are looking at some real kludges to "maybe" get it to work with a MPPT controller.  2.2wh / 36V = 60A alternator, and still 60A (because that's all the internal wires can handle) downgraded to 24V.

    A high end MPPT controller could down-convert it to as much as 90A

    But slapping a $30, 24V truck voltage regulator would be easiest.  Adding a 12V zener to the voltage reference line of the existing regulator could work also ($5 zener, $60 for an engineer to design it)
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,

  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,431 admin
    edited October 2019 #3
    Many vehicle alternators have a voltage regulator that is not capable of generating a stable DC voltage. For example car alternator systems can generate 100 VDC or more if the car is still running and then the battery is disconnected (and wipe out the lights and electronics on the DC battery output).

    Although, there are DC generator sets that are perfectly capable of generating a stable DC output voltage (running DC equipment directly without batteries).

    See if you can find documentation on this unit and see if it gives stable 36 VDC. And / or start it up and measure the output voltage (use 3x 12 volt filament bulbs in series for a cheap 36 volt load).

    If stable then connecting a good mppt charge controller should be fine.

    Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
  • PNW_Steve
    PNW_Steve Registered Users Posts: 79 ✭✭
    I am waiting on documentation from the manufacturer.

    I am hoping that I may be able to use one of the Balmar multistage regulators with this alternator.

    But I am pretty much on hold until I get docs from the manufacturer.
  • PNW_Steve
    PNW_Steve Registered Users Posts: 79 ✭✭
    I have been waiting patiently for documentation.

    The gent that I spoke with at Mechron seemed very agreeable to sending it. Now he has gone silent.

    Anyone here recognize the alternator on this unit?

    Maybe I can find docs on the alternator from the OEM?
  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,431 admin
    edited October 2019 #6
    Fire it up with some lights or electric heater as loads (don't care loads that could, in theory, get cooked). Put a meter on the DC bus and see if there voltage is stable with resistive load, and with no loads.

    I am guessing that its output voltage will be stable (i.e., a good DC supply without batteries as buffer).

    Running without loads should not cause any damage to the alternator (don't rev the engine. That could raise DC voltage and damage rectifiers or regulators if was designed for battery charging only).

    Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
  • jonr
    jonr Solar Expert Posts: 1,386 ✭✭✭✭
    It's probably 28V nominal with the exact voltage being rpm dependent.   Maybe here for manuals:

    https://greenmountaingenerators.com/manuals-and-support/mep531a-manuals/

    I am available for custom hardware/firmware development

  • PNW_Steve
    PNW_Steve Registered Users Posts: 79 ✭✭
    I want to confirm whether it is 24 or 36 volt before I put power to the starter.

    The gent that I bought it from told me that it was 36v. I am beginning to suspect that he was mistaken and it really is 24v.
  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,431 admin
    edited May 2018 #9
    There is a small chance that this is a 120 VAC 60 Hz alternator too... Did a search on "mechron 27B" and came up with a couple of auction listings:

    https://www2.partslogistics.com/demo/search-nsn-6115219120393.html (don't know if link output is "stable" over time or not)

    MECHRON POWER SYSTEMS INC MDL ASB 2D/ DND7 DIESEL ENGINE GENERATOR SET 2KW 60Hz SN 27B7620V2

    MECHRON POWER SYS. , 2KW GENERATOR SET, DIESEL ENGINE, MDL ASB2D/ DND7, SN 27B7341VZ, 3600 RPM, 60HZ, 660 HOURS.

    Mechron Power Systems Inc mdlASB 2D/DND7 2kw diesel generator, ser# 27B7809V, hours 0016.7, year unknown, volts 120vac 2 wire + ground. Motor turns when pulling cord mechanism. Note: injector is loose in unit. Please click on the PREVIEW AND LOADOUT tab above to see information on new base access procedure effective April, 1st 2016. GL will provide tail gate loading.

    Mechron Power Systems Mdl ASB 2D/DND7 2 KW 60 Hz diesel engine generator set Sn 27B7369V2, meter indicates 46 hours, 120 VAC, 18.3 Amp, includes Yanmar engine, dimensions 30 X 16 X 22, GL will Provide Tail Gate Loading

    Looking up the "alternate" Mechron part number(s) from above, got a link for:

    http://www.deweyelectronics.com/2kw-military-tactical-generators.html

    The open frame configuration is available as follows:

    Power Output Dewey Model PM-MEP Model NSN P/N
    28V DC -501A MEP95-501A 6115-01-435-1567 95-501
    120V 60Hz -531A MEP95-531A 6115-01-435-1565 95-531

    On that same page, some model links:

    Download Data Sheets

    The photos I could find show a switch gear box on the back of the genset--With, I pressume, Voltage/Amperage/Frequency (if AC) meters.

    Search for "Mechron Power Systems Mdl ASB 2D/DND7" on DuckDuckGo or Google and see if you can find anymore supporting documentation (I got "here" by searching for "Mechron 27B diesel generator" guessing that "27B" was some sort of model number).

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    You will likely need a MPPT controller with water turbine or wind turbine curves.  Wound generators do not act like solar panels when the MPPT system starts to seek the sweet spot, and you can burn out the windings.
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,