Portable DC Generator
- Thread starter Skinny
- Start date
shade
Well-known member
I'm not going to check every manual, but at least some of the GX160 models come with a spark arresting muffler.
https://engines.honda.com/support-and-service/owners-manuals/gx160
I've used pumps & post hole diggers powered by a GX160, and the engine is significantly louder than an EU2000i, especially at full throttle. Knowing Honda, the decibel rating is available, but I didn't find it while skimming a manual. If someone was concerned about noise in a campground, the simplest solution may be to run this gen set somewhere outside the campground for an hour, while having lunch or taking showers somewhere, for example.
I can see this being a very useful way to have emergency power, or to give an off-grid solar system a boost. I like the simplicity of it.
Last edited:
DaveInDenver
Middle Income Semi-Redneck
Sorry to go off an idealistic feature creep fantasy, but I'm excited can't help myself.
Offer a customization service, flat fee or time & materials, enough to make it worth your while but not prohibitive.
Let that fund expansion into new engine / alt pairings.
Ideally the core design gives a standard interface between the engine mounting part and the alt support.
Once a deeper-pockets custom job client has funded the first prototype as a once-off, then that pairing is available cheaper off the shelf.
Maybe facilitate the purchase of the more exotic motors / alternators, could maybe make a little extra margin there.
For extra fantasy points, also consider PTO or serpentine multi-pulley to drive an air compressor, or one for aircon, or to charge eutectic fridge / freezer holding plates, bilge pumps or high GPH watermaker on a boat.
Yes portability is a great feature but don't restrict the idea to that limiting factor, bigger money is there for bigger units, the key USP is off the shelf functionality with a standardized connector kit, no custom engineering needed for in-place assembly by the owner.
Offer a customization service, flat fee or time & materials, enough to make it worth your while but not prohibitive.
Let that fund expansion into new engine / alt pairings.
Ideally the core design gives a standard interface between the engine mounting part and the alt support.
Once a deeper-pockets custom job client has funded the first prototype as a once-off, then that pairing is available cheaper off the shelf.
Maybe facilitate the purchase of the more exotic motors / alternators, could maybe make a little extra margin there.
For extra fantasy points, also consider PTO or serpentine multi-pulley to drive an air compressor, or one for aircon, or to charge eutectic fridge / freezer holding plates, bilge pumps or high GPH watermaker on a boat.
Yes portability is a great feature but don't restrict the idea to that limiting factor, bigger money is there for bigger units, the key USP is off the shelf functionality with a standardized connector kit, no custom engineering needed for in-place assembly by the owner.
luthj
Engineer In Residence
Basically what you are proposing is an erector set, DIY style APU. Many of the components for these systems are pretty cheap standalone. Its the packaging and requisite engineering that makes them prohibitive for semi-customs installs, and drives the price of pre-built units sky high.
Personally I see there being a market for a unit that could power a 10k btu automotive style AC compressor, and supply 30A @12V for fans/loads. That would allow for a much more compact and lower cost way to get power and air-conditioning off the grid. Like a cheaper/smaller version of semi-truck APUs.
Automotive AC compressors are quite cheap, and standalone AC evap/cond units are already available for the classic car and bus market.
Skinny
Active member
I don't see anything on my regarding compliance or a screen in the muffler.
The GX can be used but you most likely will have to get 4 longer bolts and some spacers for the engine plate.
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dwh
Tail-End Charlie
I might suggest offering an alternative to the rubber feet. Some sort of springy vibration absorption bolt-down security perma-mount option.
And a cover. ExPo members BritKLR and Desert Yuman Rat both make money with heavy duty sewing machines and seem to do top notch work.
An electric start option that could be perma-mounted and remote started might sell a few.
And a cover. ExPo members BritKLR and Desert Yuman Rat both make money with heavy duty sewing machines and seem to do top notch work.
An electric start option that could be perma-mounted and remote started might sell a few.
Hillbilly Heaven
Explorer
The bearing hub is the same for GC and GX except threaded holes. GC has metric threads and GX has standard threads.
Skinny
Active member
The GC160 is pretty quiet until you hold it at the max rpm. I can't compete with the EU2000 in terms of decibel rating. But I can smoke it in terms of simplicity, serviceability, and parts availability/cost.
You do realize that for the price of one Honda inverter genny you can put my kit together and buy a spare engine, alternator, rebuild kit, and a dozen drivebelts right?
All of these ideas are great but until I receive a certain number of sales as a business I can't justify building anything further. Believe me, I have a compressor and a Leece Neville alternator on prototypes for other kits but it all takes capital.
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You do realize that for the price of one Honda inverter genny you can put my kit together and buy a spare engine, alternator, rebuild kit, and a dozen drivebelts right?
All of these ideas are great but until I receive a certain number of sales as a business I can't justify building anything further. Believe me, I have a compressor and a Leece Neville alternator on prototypes for other kits but it all takes capital.
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Skinny
Active member
Well understood, and greatly appreciate your excellent start.
Might even buy a kit just to support the concept even though I'm nowhere ready yet to put it to use myself, very likely will find a customer that can.
Skinny
Active member
The biggest thing is affordability without sacrificing the quality. The bigger scope is to be able to put together a pure sine inverter in the 1-2k range with a single battery and maybe a 100 watt panel and still be in no more then $1000-1200 overall when combined with my generator.
You can go out and get a commercial grade Honda engine attached to an alternator and it does have a belt guard in place. It is also $2495 and still gives you no special charging capability other then basic bulk. To me that isn't valuable because it is out of my price range for what I need it to do.
Same principle applies to getting a custom molded guard and some really nice industrial grade isolation feet. It would probably make my assembled price be at $800-900. Still beats my competition but I need a lower starting point to where I can develop those down the road and offer them as an option.
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You can go out and get a commercial grade Honda engine attached to an alternator and it does have a belt guard in place. It is also $2495 and still gives you no special charging capability other then basic bulk. To me that isn't valuable because it is out of my price range for what I need it to do.
Same principle applies to getting a custom molded guard and some really nice industrial grade isolation feet. It would probably make my assembled price be at $800-900. Still beats my competition but I need a lower starting point to where I can develop those down the road and offer them as an option.
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Skinny
Active member
I just had an idea because all this conversation gets me thinking, I'm going to see if I can find a preferably metal crate that the generator will fit in. But then when you go to run the generator you take it out of the crate place it on the ground, then put the crate over the generator so that way you can accidentally jam your head into the belt.
Looks like I have more homework to do today.
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Looks like I have more homework to do today.
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luthj
Engineer In Residence
A belt guard could be as simple as a laser/plasma cut piece of thin AL sheet. Bent to a U shape, with 3 feet/tabs. Put 3 corresponding holes in your vertical mounting plate. The upper part around the alt/fan doesn't need protection, as the pinch point is below. It could be an extra option for those inclined. You would need a few hours to make a quick jig to bend the sheetmetal, but it could be done be hand fairly quickly, even made from wood.
