How To Make A Cheap Backup Generator Out Of A Lawn Mower Engine

2001 - Volume #25, Issue #1, Page #13

[ Sample Stories From This Issue | List of All Stories In This Issue | Print this story | Read this issue]

With just a little bit of work, you can turn an old lawnmower engine and a used automotive alternator into a generator to provide temporary electricity in remote locations, or for backup power at home.
  We found this idea on the Internet at www.TheEpicenter.com/tow082099/html.
  Site owner is The Epicenter, Eugene, Ore., which sells emergency preparedness supplies and provides ideas for their use. There are a couple of other options for home-built generators on this site, but we liked this one because it makes use of an easy-to-find vertical-shaft lawn mower engine.
  To build this generator, you'll need a working 3 to 5 hp vertical shaft engine and a working - used, new or rebuilt - alternator. A GM type alternator is recommended.
  You can probably figure out how to mount the alternator on the old lawnmower and even work in a belt tightener. But if you'd prefer, Epicenter designed a steel bracket on which both the engine and the alternator can be mounted. This bracket allows use of either three- or four-bolt engines. The Epicenter bracket can itself be mounted on lengths of 2 by 4 to make a base.
  Mounting the right pulley on the engine shaft is the most important part of the conversion. Vertical shaft lawn mowers rely on the weight of the mower blade to keep the engine turning smoothly. To replace the missing weight of the blade, the Epicenter people recommend using a cast iron pulley which can be hard to find.
  You should use a 4 to 5-in. pulley on the shaft. If you're using a newer model engine with a "limited" throttle, you may have to modify the carburetor and throttle so you can throttle up and keep the engine going when the alternator is engaged.
  Epicenter recommends an "A" style V-belt. Just be sure the belt fits properly on the engine pulley, since that's where you're getting the torque to drive the alternator. If it slips there, you're going to be disappointed with the output.
  Gas tank capacity on mower engines is only about one hour so you may want to add a larger tank. You use the generator to jump-start engines. Add a DC to AC converter and you've got portable power for 120-volt tools, appliances, etc. With a bank of batteries, it can be used as the electrical power supply for remote cabins, sheds, RV's, etc. AC converters are available from around 100 watts up to 3000 watts.
  Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Epicenter Supplies, LLC, 384 Wallis St. #2, Eugene, Ore. 97402 (ph 541 684-0717; Web site: www. TheEpicenter.com/tow082099.html).

Click here to download page story appeared in.

Click here to read entire issue

How To Make A Cheap Backup Generator Out Of A Lawn Mower Engine ENERGY Miscellaneous 25-1-13 With just a little bit of work, you can turn an old lawnmower engine and a used automotive alternator into a generator to provide temporary electricity in remote locations, or for backup power at home. We found this idea on the Internet at www.TheEpicenter.com/tow082099/html. Site owner is The Epicenter, Eugene, Ore., which sells emergency preparedness supplies and provides ideas for their use. There are a couple of other options for home-built generators on this site, but we liked this one because it makes use of an easy-to-find vertical-shaft lawn mower engine. To build this generator, you'll need a working 3 to 5 hp vertical shaft engine and a working - used, new or rebuilt - alternator. A GM type alternator is recommended. You can probably figure out how to mount the alternator on the old lawnmower and even work in a belt tightener. But if you'd prefer, Epicenter designed a steel bracket on which both the engine and the alternator can be mounted. This bracket allows use of either three- or four-bolt engines. The Epicenter bracket can itself be mounted on lengths of 2 by 4 to make a base. Mounting the right pulley on the engine shaft is the most important part of the conversion. Vertical shaft lawn mowers rely on the weight of the mower blade to keep the engine turning smoothly. To replace the missing weight of the blade, the Epicenter people recommend using a cast iron pulley which can be hard to find. You should use a 4 to 5-in. pulley on the shaft. If you're using a newer model engine with a "limited" throttle, you may have to modify the carburetor and throttle so you can throttle up and keep the engine going when the alternator is engaged. Epicenter recommends an "A" style V-belt. Just be sure the belt fits properly on the engine pulley, since that's where you're getting the torque to drive the alternator. If it slips there, you're going to be disappointed with the output. Gas tank capacity on mower engines is only about one hour so you may want to add a larger tank. You use the generator to jump-start engines. Add a DC to AC converter and you've got portable power for 120-volt tools, appliances, etc. With a bank of batteries, it can be used as the electrical power supply for remote cabins, sheds, RV's, etc. AC converters are available from around 100 watts up to 3000 watts. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Epicenter Supplies, LLC, 384 Wallis St. #2, Eugene, Ore. 97402 (ph 541 684-0717; Web site: www. TheEpicenter.com/tow082099.html).

To read the rest of this story, download this issue below or click here to register with your account number.

SUBSCRIBE OR RENEW NOW