Can you use idling engine/alternator as a generator?

[transitcat]

Hi,

Is it viable to start the van engine and let it idle when you want to cook with an electric cooker or use other electrics such as microwave, tv or possibly heater (through an inverter)?

Would you need an uprated alternator or one of those sterling chargers to do this?

In America it seems the current model Roadtrek class b RVs do this and market it as an underhood generator so I'm interested to see if its viable for me to do.

 

[harrow]

Hi,

Is it viable to start the van engine and let it idle when you want to cook with an electric cooker or use other electrics such as microwave, tv or possibly heater (through an inverter)?

Would you need an uprated alternator or one of those sterling chargers to do this?

In America it seems the current model Roadtrek class b RVs do this and market it as an underhood generator so I'm interested to see if its viable for me to do.

Yes you could just run the engine, and then keep it running for an extra half hour afterwards.

An uprated alternator would also come in very handy.

:tongue::tongue::tongue:

 

[Makzine]

:nothingtoadd: I have absolutely no idea personally but would be interested in any answers :wave:

 

[trevskoda]

Yes you could but a speed of around 1500 rpm would be required to get juice level up,but do remember long spells of no load are not good for engines and if done for long time then oil burning will happen,though i suspect for all you will be doing no more harm than stuck in traffic so go ahead.
Remember you will require a inverter of double or slightly more of cooking watts ,so if 850 then a 2000 w constant inverter is what you require,big bucks for a good one,cheaper to just buy a gasit refill bottle set.

 

[mistericeman]

Yes you could but a speed of around 1500 rpm would be required to get juice level up,but do remember long speels of no load are not good for engines and if done for long time then oil burning will happen,though i suspect for all you will be doing no more harm than stuck in traffic so go ahead.
Remember you will require a inverter of double or slightly more of cooking watts ,so if 850 then a 2000 w constant inverter is what you require,big bucks for a good one,cheaper to just buy a gasit refill bottle set.

Manage fine with our £160 mod sine 3000w one running our microwave/kettle/toaster/slow cooker (obv not all at same time )

 

[ajb70]

we are hopefully getting another campervan used to have a bongo

we were up at campers scotland in grangemouth they are now doing toyota alphards eco campers with hybrid engines
they also mentioned you could run the engine to cook food they are using induction hobs no gas at all interesting stuff

 

[IanH]

Hi,

Is it viable to start the van engine and let it idle when you want to cook with an electric cooker or use other electrics such as microwave, tv or possibly heater (through an inverter)?

Would you need an uprated alternator or one of those sterling chargers to do this?

In America it seems the current model Roadtrek class b RVs do this and market it as an underhood generator so I'm interested to see if its viable for me to do.

Quite apart from the NOISE which WILL upset your camping neighbours, just about the worst thing you can do to a diesel, or indeed most petrol engines is let them run at idle, the longer the worse it gets.

In UK there, is, however a practical and widely used alternative...............gas, comes in cylinders, you light it, it gives off heat..............SILENTLY!!!!:mad1::mad1::mad1::mad1::mad1:

 

[DnK]

Hi,

Is it viable to start the van engine and let it idle when you want to cook with an electric cooker or use other electrics such as microwave, tv or possibly heater (through an inverter)?

Would you need an uprated alternator or one of those sterling chargers to do this?

In America it seems the current model Roadtrek class b RVs do this and market it as an underhood generator so I'm interested to see if its viable for me to do.

We have a 2000w pure sine wave inverter running off the engine battery/alternator (I fitted after reading this article Hairdryer from 12v in a Motorhome - The Solution! | Europe By Camper - Travelling Europe By Motorhome) . I'm not sure if the alternator is uprated from being built (A class 11 years old) but SWMBO can run her hair drier when the engine running. Usually running for about 5 mins running with revs at 1500. But thats all it's used for as we have a Gasit system for our cooking needs, heating also gas, and TV is 12v.

oh forgot - we also have 300w of solar and 3x100ah Battery bank so dont ever need ehu.

 

[Fazerloz]

There is no reason why not if you have room under your bonnet. All it is, is a large 2nd alternator feeding the leisure battery and inverter so if you can mount a second large alternator to the engine and sort out a drive belt, then yes you can do it.

 

[vwalan]

i know many 24v trucks with a second alternator 12v just to charge the leisure side .
many things are possible if you want to do it .

 

[witzend]

Hi, Is it viable to start the van engine and let it idle when you want to cook with an electric cooker or use other electrics such as microwave, tv or possibly heater (through an inverter)? .

Why would you want to ? use a gas cooker & heater, 12v TV

 

[mistericeman]

Why would you want to ? use a gas cooker & heater, 12v TV

Why not...
we are all electric, no gas supply on board

Solar does most of work (in winter split charge shoulders most of work as we drive around)

 

[Fazerloz]

Why would you want to ? use a gas cooker & heater, 12v TV

Maybe he thinks why would you want to mess about with gas or bottles if you don't have to. His choice.

 

[trevskoda]

Manage fine with our £160 mod sine 3000w one running our microwave/kettle/toaster/slow cooker (obv not all at same time )

Problem here may be some of the newish m/waves are electronic timers etc and will not work with cheepo inverters,they require a proper smooth wave unit costing way more.

 

[witzend]

Maybe he thinks why would you want to mess about with gas or bottles if you don't have to. His choice.

Yes thats right but to run your engine for hours while running a TV and heating don't seem like the best way to go it's like spending a £1 to save 5p I just hope He parks next to you and not me

 

[mistericeman]

Problem here may be some of the newish m/waves are electronic timers etc and will not work with cheepo inverters,they require a proper smooth wave unit costing way more.

Cheap cheerful one from Tesco with digital timer works fine.....
Same as cheap cheerful one with clockwork timer....

Simples ;-)

 

[trevskoda]

Cheap cheerful one from Tesco with digital timer works fine.....
Same as cheap cheerful one with clockwork timer....

Simples ;-)

Well thats good news,i may look into a inverter as i have a couple of m/waves doing nout at home,thanks for info.

 

[transitcat]

Quite apart from the NOISE which WILL upset your camping neighbours, just about the worst thing you can do to a diesel, or indeed most petrol engines is let them run at idle, the longer the worse it gets.

In UK there, is, however a practical and widely used alternative...............gas, comes in cylinders, you light it, it gives off heat..............SILENTLY!!!!:mad1::mad1::mad1::mad1::mad1:

The thing is partly about cost though. A new gas oven is about £300 and a gas heater is upwards of £300, and an electric system with leisure batteries and solar panels etc is hundreds, whereas I already own an electric mini oven that works great(was £30) and already own a small electric heater(£20).

Very pleased with all the answers I've got in this thread lots of good info and leads.

 

[Chris356]

Make sure you upgrade your split charge relay to around 100 amp and also the cable running from your van battery to the leisure battery to 150 amp

 

[Deleted member 36]

Yes thats right but to run your engine for hours while running a TV and heating don't seem like the best way to go it's like spending a £1 to save 5p I just hope He parks next to you and not me

One thing I hate, is a van parked along side running the engine for any length of time.
Noise and fumes! Particularly when the exhaust is facing out has door!
People moan about a geny which should be much quieter (Honda Suitcase type) and less damaging to the environment!