Lawnmower Power Generator With a Twist
Intro: Lawnmower Power Generator With a Twist
This is a 500 watt power generator big enough to power tools, and home electronics. If you try plugging in kitchen appliances, heaters, window AC units etc....it will shut down, you need a 2k-3k watt power converter for large power comsumption appliances..
It's not difficult to build this project, if you know how to wrench things apart and have a basic understanding of how things work with engines and electrical components then you'll do just fine. If you want to save money on the build, go to junkyards, recycling centers, and landfills which is where I got most of the parts. You'll be surprised the stuff you can find for pennies or better yet FREE. I spent $40 for all the parts needed for this project.
There are a few optional parts not needed to run this little power jewel. The lawnmower tires, enclosure, vehicle battery, handle, voltage meter, 120VAC outlet, light, and on/off switch for light. I decided to go all out with this one by adding all those extra features, just took me longer to make, 3 months exactly. A schematic diagram will show how to wire everything up. The AC outlet you see on the panel is tapping from the power converter which already has AC outlets. I just wanted to make an extension of it so I wouldn't reach around the back to plug in things....
STEP 1: Parts, Where, Tools, How Much$$
Here are some links for the power tools I used.....http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00921914000P?blockNo=2&blockType=G2&prdNo=2&i_cntr=1292168781911, http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00928223000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1, http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00911543000P?prdNo=10&blockNo=10&blockType=G10, (1) WOODEN or METAL platform- Helps bolt down the Alternator, Engine, and DC to AC power converter. I used aluminum sheet metal with L-frame bars for a sturdy frame. Got the sheet metal and L-bars for FREE from recycling center. I used a JIGSAW with a metal cutting blade to get the job done easy.(NOTE)..Do Not Try Using the jigsaw to cut IRON or STEEL...The blade will kick back and will break sending pieces flying...If you have better cutting tools for that kind of material then by all means use it.
Other tools include a drill press, vise grip, portable hand held drill, hacksaw, and a hand held file. If you have better tools to get the job done quicker and safer don't hesitate....It took me three months to build the crazy thing, and a few busted knuckles.
The platform size varies with how many components you want to throw on it, the one I made is a 2'x3' with a top shelf to hold vehicle battery. more details about that later.
(2) LAWNMOWER ENGINE- Vertical or Horizontal, 3.5HP or bigger. I got it for FREE from landfill (vertical shaft) with a key way slot, or you can buy a new one for $100+....
(3) ALTERNATOR- It's a delco part# CTBBB-7127-12 rebuilt, with internal voltage regulator, 65amp, two wire connector harness. paid $23, auto parts store. This is the heart of the system, I recommend using this one, it's simple to setup and comes with an internal voltage regulator.
(4) DC to AC POWER CONVERTER- The one I used is a 500 watt converter, got for FREE from recycling center. The bigger the better, pure sine wave is the best.
(5) VARIABLE RESISTOR- Also know as a Rotory Switch or POT. You can get one from an auto junkyard for $2... look for an older vehicle, 70's through late 80's any model, also known as a light dimmer switch or dashboard, panel lights dimmer....you just turn the knob in one direction and the lights dim or brighten....you need a 2 wire pin switch....this part is used to control the amps coming from the alternator.....
(6) ON/OFF Switch- There are a few different kinds...rotory, toggle, rocker, and push. I used a toggle with a built in green light.
(7) PULLEY- 3" or 4" diameter, IRON or STEEL, $3 from junkyard, Make sure it has a key way to help prevent it from slipping on the engine shaft. (NOTE) make sure the pulley is equal the weight of the cutting blade or greater, if not the engine will not hold it's spin cycle. Got mine for FREE from recycling center.
(8) BELT- $12 at lawnmower repair shop or auto parts store. If you want cheap try the landfill which I got from, or recycling center, auto junkyard or neighbor throwing it away. I recommend a belt from a self propelled lawnmower, makes a perfect fit.....which I used on this project.
(9) BOLTS with NUTS & WASHERS- Paid $12 for nuts, bolts, and washers from home depot. Try to get rust proof hardware.
Other parts are optional like the voltage meter, light, on/off toggle switch for light, and extra 120VAC outlet, which are not required to operate a fully functional generator.
STEP 2: The Frame
The frame is what took me the longest to make for lack of tools, I used a jigsaw with a metal cutting blade which was kicking my butt, the blade would sometimes kick back so I had to take it slow. To smooth out the rough edges I used a hand file, also used a drill press, hand drill, and hack saw for the L -bars. I recommend using a band saw to cut the sheet metal and L-bars, that would have saved me alot of time.
STEP 3: The Engine
You can use the same mounting bolts used to secure the engine to the lawnmower chassis..I used a jigsaw to cut out a hole big enough to have the pulley go through it, you first want to start a small hole with a large enough bit using a hand drill to fit the cutting blade through it
STEP 4: The Alternator
How to connect the alternator. Here you want to the RED wire coming from the wire harness back into that positive nut. The purpose of that is to trick the alternator in pushing out a steady 14VDC at any RPM. The wire harness is included which consists of a two wire RED & WHITE. the WHITE wire has the dimmer switch connected in series which is used to control the AMPS coming from the alternator to charge a vehicle battery. more details about the dimmer later...it will probably make more sense looking at the schematics shown later.. Notice the two thickest wires RED & BLACK, they are for charging a vehicle battery which is optional, not required to connect on alternator if you don't want to charge batteries.
For a simple setup all you need to connect is 2 wires, 10 gauge size, Positive + (RED wire) connect it to the upper left nut on back of alternator, the other end of that wire goes to the positive(+) terminal of the converter box. The Negative - (BLACK wire) connect to the lower right nut(that is your negative) on back of alternator, the other end of that wire connects to the Negative(-) terminal of converter box.......That is it, just start the engine and turn on the converter box you should have 120VAC.......If you want to add meter gauges, lights, dials etc....I have more details with schematics...which will take longer to build...
To install the alternator just cut out a hole big enough to adjust the belt along with two bolts to secure the alternator....if it wobbles just add brackets to make it sturdy.. nothing to it.
STEP 5: The Converter Box
Most converter boxes have built in 120VAC power outlets, just plug in directly to power up your home electronics or small power tools....you can also plug in a power strip directly into it like I did. GREY wire....Notice how I connected an outlet extending from the coverter box, that is so I wouldn't reach to the back end to plug in things...you can see the outlet showing in front of generator..
How to connect converter box to alternator. Simple, do you see that thick BLACK wire curving over, that is your NEGATIVE(-) wire coming from the NEGATIVE post(nut) from back of alternator. connect this wire to the NEGATIVE(-) terminal of converter box.
The POSITIVE(+) RED wire coming from POSITIVE(+) post(nut) of alternator connects to the POSITIVE(+) terminal of converter box...I ran out of red wire so had to use black wire....
You can custom make your own wire end terminals with a little bit of solder and heat shrink to have a custom professional look....You can secure the converter box with battery j-hooks, installed one on each corner....
STEP 6: Variable Resistor(light Dimmer Switch)
Here is how you connect the dimmer. On the back side of alternator there is a connector with two wires sticking out of it, shown in step 4.....one RED and one WHITE, you can connect any one of the wires from the DIMMER to the WHITE wire, the other wire from DIMMER connects to the POSITIVE(+) nut on back of alternator nothing to it.
That's it, the dimmer is connected in series and now you can adjust the amps by twisting the knob on dimmer, you have to play with it to have at a proper setting. If you allow to much current to charge a battery, the alternator will slow down a bit and might cause the engine to stop.....You can install a bigger engine with more power.
STEP 7: Main Power Switch
Here is how you connect it. This particular switch has 3 pins on the back for attaching wires....I will refer to them as pin1, pin2, pin3.
Step One: connect a RED(+) wire to the POSITIVE(+) terminal of converter box, then connect the other end of wire to pin2(NOTE: do not forget to attach a 10amp fuse in series) this wire will be the main wire carrying POSITIVE voltage.
Step Two: connect a RED(+) wire to the POSITIVE(+) terminal(nut) of alternator, then connect the other end of wire to pin1.
Step Three: connect a BLACK(-) wire to the NEGATIVE(-) terminal of converter box, then connect the other end of wire to pin3. Thats it. Keep in mind! you can solder wire terminal at the end of the wires to help secure them tight and clean.
STEP 8: The Pulley
STEP 9: The Belt
Before cutting a hole, measure the distance it will take to install the belt between the lawnmower pulley and the alternator pulley. You don't want to end up to tight where you won't be able to install the belt, or too loose where there won't be any rotation of pulleys....you can make a track to adjust the alternator to release the belt or tighten...
I recommend the belt from a self propelled lawn mower, that makes a perfect fit for it.
STEP 10: The Bolts
STEP 11: Optional Parts
I just added these components to add more features to it....not needed to run generator. included in schematics with details if interested in adding them....
STEP 12: Labels
STEP 13: Optional Meter Gauge
STEP 14: Schematics
STEP 15: Alternator Schematic
STEP 16: LED Switch Schematic
Same here. each step will show how to connect each part, just follow the simple diagram and notes...
STEP 17: Optional Meter,light,on/off Switch Schematic
STEP 18: Final Step Optional Handle
This is the last part I put on, once again it's optional. Picked it out from recycling center and bolted it on...not much to it......That's pretty much it, took me 3-months to build this thing, what took the longest was building the frame because of lack of tools and finding parts at little to no cost. That alone was a bargain.
Good luck with this project, if you have any questions about the schematic let me know, some of the pics are far away. The battery is used for backup in case the motor runs out of fuel which is not being used indoors.....That would be to loud!
63 Comments
kill-a-watt 13 years ago
The 3.5 HP engine is limited to maybe 2500 watts total.
You are using a GM Delco 10si alternator, which can only put out about 900 watts at 14volts times 63 amps. I assume the unit is self-excited, so if you pulled one out of a junked car, you would probably have to install a "one wire" kit. Although the 10si is ubiquitous, with that engine I guess you have headroom to use a larger alternator.
Technically, that cooling fan on the alternator is running the wrong way, but I'll bet it works fine because it's not located in a hot under hood area of a car. The alternator itself doesn't care which way it spins.
"Battery" is not in your parts list. I'd recommend a deep cycle type. If you use the less expensive wet-cell type, get a battery box for the battery and bolt it down. Acid burns.
Good job with the safety-nazi stickers. No one could fault you there!
FelixR2 6 years ago
I use an old ford alternator with internal field removed and just some wires added. I have then built a regulator with an lm358 and a couple off high power relays to connect an disconnect the alternator output from the battery and to connect the field directly to the output. This way I have a toggle switch to switch between battery charging and welding. Works great
MitchM12 8 years ago
Harbor Freight has a cheep jump box with two 12 volt light plugs to add to this configuration for a cheep battery and possible starter circuit. The great part about this box is you can connect it to the 12 volt side and charge the battery directly or you can use the provided power adapter for a trickle charge. pickup and cheep 10 dollar drill for a starter moter and volla, you built something you could by for 150 already complete but it is nice to customize these sort of projects.
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-in-1-portable-power...
watch the coupons and you can get it for 39 bucks. add a cheep 12 to 120 converter zip tied to the back and you can actually carry it around and run about anything you want.
cid2323 13 years ago
kill-a-watt 13 years ago
Looking at the back of the alternator, think of the field winding contacts as the hour hand and the pivot bolt hole (the unthreaded mounting bolt hole) as "12" on a clock. By assembly, the alternator can be in four positions. 3, 6, 9, and 12 o'clock. If you know how to restrain the brushes, you can take apart the alternator and "re-clock" it for different applications in different cars.
SeanG30 8 years ago
Okay, great idea, but I see some basic facts I would like to clarify. You are using an alternator, which creates AC power (Hence the name; originally cars used DC generators but switched for better efficiency). All modern alternators also contain a rectifier which changes the AC generated by the alternator into DC. Then you are taking the DC output of the alternator and inverting it back to AC. Each time you change from one to the other you lose efficiency; i. e. available power. So instead of an alternator why not use an AC motor? A motor and a generator are identical; one produces mechanical energy when power is applied and the other produces AC power when the shaft is mechanically spun; so use the engine to spin the shaft of the motor and voila! you will produce AC current. Now you will need a voltage regulator, however you will NOT need an inverter; And you will be able to produce much more power at a better efficiency; also your choice of motors are near endless; old washing machine motors come to mind among dozens of other low cost options. Varying pulley sizes can attain proper rotational speeds. People already use old motors for power generation by attaching blades to the shaft and using wind to turn the motor. Search the internet and you will find a multitude of articles on how to use an old motor to produce electricity; combine that with the old lawn mower concept and you will have dozens more available options to produce much more power.
DuckTurd 3 years ago
convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. They are both controlled differently and depending on the application the
windings can be wound totally different. I would be very selective when choosing a motor
for the makings of a generator, not all motors will work the way one would think they would. I spent 25 years in the generator industry so please be careful .👍
DuckTurd 3 years ago
Happy days dude!
jwilliams152 8 years ago
Would using two of those alternators provide any advantage?
DuckTurd 3 years ago
jihly 6 years ago
xained 9 years ago
Hi, I tried your setup, but my engine shaft is turning to the left, and the alternator turns right (otherwise no power), had to turn it upsidedown. Nice project !
sidecar123 9 years ago
just ran across your post. you can turn the alternator in either direction, it will work
fine either way. hope u haven't given up on this project. good luck
kuma.rhyu 6 years ago
True and not true... The alternator doesn't care which rotation it runs in as far as power generation, however the cooling fan IS directionally sensitive and operating near the top end of it's power generation and with the reduced air flow caused by operating in reverse rotation will shorten the life of the components with the internal voltage regulator usually being the first to fail, potentially killing the inverter.
sidecar123 6 years ago
In view of the fact that this setup is running in more or less an open environment (under 110 degrees Fahrenheit), the reduced air flow that you are suggesting, will keep the alternator well within operating temperatures, as opposed to under the hood of a vehicle where temperatures can exceed 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Have you ever had a setup similar to this, and actually run it both ways just to see the difference in amount of air that is moved? I have and although i don't have a degree engineering or anything else for that matter, it isn't that hard figure out that there is plenty of air movement to keep the alternator cool enough to do it's job. I also think that a 3.5 B&S engine would probably self destruct trying to burn up the alternator. Just my personal opinion. Any comments are welcomed.
kuma.rhyu 6 years ago
That may be true Sidecar, however as set up with no storage battery, the electronic regulator will be seeking constantly to maintain a controlled output, forcing the electronics to run hotter and making it more likely to fail prematurely and after spending $50 on the alternator, I would prefer not to have to change it early. The storage battery also limits the current need to far less than the full current by smoothing the power demands to the system, where this system can jump from near zero use to near full load in a split second with the same effect. It's not the mechanicals I am concerned about in the cooler air with a reversed cooling fan limiting the flow, but the device on the inside of all those fins on the back...
sidecar123 6 years ago
I guess that big yellow thing sitting on top in the first picture isn't a battery. What was I thinking?
xained 9 years ago
Damn, an old mechanic told me there was a 'direction' in which it has to turn ... so I had to make A LOT of adaptations .. Anyways, here's a pic of the ongoing project. (finished now, but no pic)
Not at all as perfect as yours, but got everything for free, so no complain about the 'look' from my part. ;-)
Thanks for the idea and the share of your project !
MitchM12 8 years ago
all you have to do is offset the pullies and flip the belt to a 8 configuration it will reverse the direction and will just slide past it self. you might have to set the alternator a few degrees off center but vbelts are very forgiving over chain drive. This also gives more surface area contact between the pulley and the belt for less slippage.
https://www.google.com/search?q=v+belt+in+8+configuration&biw=1333&bih=650&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiByqKr18DJAhWFKCYKHRwuA10Q_AUIBigB#tbm=isch&q=v+belt+reversed+to+change+direction+of+pully&imgrc=XfJ7j-PAB3bDyM%3A
StevenS178 8 years ago
An Easy to build generator,but one thing that the author didn't consider...Since the engine came off a lawnmower,(Vertical shaft), it has an aluminum flywheel and the engine needs the blade and blade adapter on it for the engine to be balanced...Without those components the engine will fail prematurely...A side shaft ,(or Hortizontal),has a cast steel flywheel which keeps the engine balanced...So my recommendation would be to use a "Hortizontal shaft engine for longevity and reliability...