Monster Alternator, Eco-Tech

[Unicorn Dreams]

$3000 for an alternator, you can install a windgen and a nice solar array and you won't need that big alternator...

[minaret]

Originally Posted by Gashmore

It took a bit of machining to do the CV joint thing. First I built the engine stringers about 14" out in front of the engine. I welded up a bracket that fits across the engine stringers with two heavy bearings lined up with the engine shaft and machined an adapter to mate the CV joint to the balancer pulley.

Port side of the bracket is a standard J mount for the alternator. Starboard is the high pressure pump for the water maker with an electric clutch. Finally I machined a to step aluminum pulley so that I can drive the alternator and water maker anywhere between moderate idle and 2200 engine RPM.

Theoretically I should be able to make 32 gallons of water and two days worth of battery charge in a little over an hour of engine time.

Can't figure out how to post a current photo but my water maker page has a picture of the assembled PTO before installation and before the new pulley. (Also with the L-N alternator)
Watermaker

That is an awesome assembly. I'll be looking at something similar to backup my 7.5 kw genset, and the engine driven watermaker is genius. I have my family aboard and a 1480 amp bank to keep charged...

[minaret]

Originally Posted by Unicorn Dreams

$3000 for an alternator, you can install a windgen and a nice solar array and you won't need that big alternator...

I think the idea is probably to have all of the above. That's how I am trying to do it at least. Redundancy is good, especially if you have a powerhog...

[zeehag]

love my wimpy lil 80 amp special on my perkins..LOL....works great.....not pricey to replace or repair.

[ColdEH]

Originally Posted by typhoon

I agree with that side load concern, the last thing we would want to do is smoke a crank bearing.

I will be using about 1000 ah worth of AGM batteries. Should balance out well. People see the alternator on my bench at work and always comment on it , what a monster . And if I can can get 240 amps back in the batteries in one hour of running, while making 40 gallons of water , life will be good . Nice to see im not the only power hog

Regards

Got the alternator for 750 on ebay , brand new in the box. If it is as good as I think it is , I would pay $3000 for it . Price out a new Balmar set up with two alternators a center fielder and regulators, and of course the mouting brackets . Probably close to that if not more.

I am putting a two belted electric clutch on the same output shaft which will be driving a D10 Hydracell pump for the water maker. Should load the Yanmar to about 80% just the way they like it .

I decided to go against wind generators and solar panels for various reasons. Us powers hogs like lots of juice.

Regards ..

[osirissail]

Two problems with the Eco-tech alternator amongst others is that they are constant voltage and internally regulated. That is fine if your batteries are conventional liquid acid batteries. But for anything else like AGM's, Gel or sealed batteries you will probably be spending more on replacing batteries than the alternator costs.
- - Smart external regulation is the norm for marine battery systems.

[Extemporaneous]

Originally Posted by typhoon

Got all my machining done this week , will post photo's of the alternator and pump mounted on the Yanmar soon.

Stay tuned

Regards

Looking forward to it!

Cheers,
Extemp.

[ColdEH]

Done!! Done!! Take a look.

It actually went together pretty good.
Rats Can't get the pics on from this computer will do later from home.

Just a response to the last post.

From Wikipedia.
At high overcharge currents, electrolysis of water occurs, expelling hydrogen and oxygen gas through the battery's valves. Care must be taken to prevent short circuits and rapid charging. Constant-voltage charging is the usual, most efficient and fastest charging method for VRLA batteries, although other methods can be used.[1] VRLA batteries may be continually "float" charged at around 2.35 volts per cell at 25°C. Some designs can be fast charged (1 hour) at high rates. Sustained charging at 2.7 V per cell will damage the cells. Constant-current overcharging at rates higher than C/3 will exceed the capacity of the cell to recombine hydrogen and oxygen.[1]

Lifeline also shows ,Bulk and acceptance voltages as the same.

Lifeline AGM Batteries Charging Procedure

The Eco-tech alternators simply turn off when the batteries are full. So float voltages are not needed.

Regards , Pics tonight.

[osirissail]

It appears from the posts that the Eco-tech puts out enormous amperes, runs at 14.4 volts, cannot be externally regulated and simply turns itself off when it senses a full battery voltage condition. Yes? No?
- - Since battery life is a function of charge/discharge cycles it would seem that using an Echo-tech alternator would hasten the consumption of those cycles and thereby decrease the useful life of a marine battery bank.
- - Other marine alternators use external "smart" regulation to keep the charging current and voltages within the desired limits set by the battery manufacturers. They also do not "turn off" when the batteries are sensed to be "full." This allows the ship's electrical loads to be run off the alternator's output rather than being forced to deplete the batteries thusly saving charge/discharge cycle life.
- - AGM's and Gel's are super sensitive to over-voltage charging and are rather expensive. However, old fashioned heavy duty liquid lead acid batteries such as are used in trucks, firetrucks, etc. can take a lot of abuse and are significantly cheaper.

[ColdEH]

Don't get me wrong, I would not put one off these on a main engine. But as part of a proprietary
charging system on a separate engine, It's a great solution.

AGM batteries are getting much better. Read what LifeLine has to say.

These are the spec on the Eco-Tech
Specifications
Operating ambient temperature
Rated Current
Idle Current
Voltage Set point
Efficiency @1800 rpm
Rotation direction
Max. Continuous Speed
Max. Intermittent Speed
Excitation type
Ground
Weight
-40 to +93°C
325 Amperes at 6000 rpm
255 Amperes at 1800 rpm
14.4 V ± 0.2V
80%
CW
8,000 rpm
10,000 rpm
Self
Negative
38 Lbs.

Regards

[ColdEH]

Here are the pics

[Extemporaneous]

Originally Posted by typhoon

Here are the pics

Nice!!

[Kapena]

Very nice, and the coupling is a terrific idea. Looks like a class job. A little concerned about the frame strength but you can add on corner plates at any time if needed.

Wish I had this kind of juice but I don't have that storage capacity either.

[ColdEH]

Originally Posted by Kapena

Very nice, and the coupling is a terrific idea. Looks like a class job. A little concerned about the frame strength but you can add on corner plates at any time if needed.

Wish I had this kind of juice but I don't have that storage capacity either.

Yes I was thinking of adding a cross brace, but i was suprised how strong it was as it is , see when I get a big load on that alternator . The pump will only take 2.5 horse . The alternator will take between 7 and 9 hp.

Regards