jerryp8472

<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" />I would like to build a tiny generator, just to charge phones, ipods ETC. It's just a little project for when I get bored. Is there a tiny diesel 1cc(or so) engine in existance that could run steady for any real length of time?(Hours perhaps) I'm not sure how big RC engines get, or if there is even one that would work. Also, is there one that runs on regular diesel, or perhaps diesel with an additive? Thanks!

DeviousDave

There are others here that can comment more intelligently that I, but a reed valve cox motor with a heavy duty crank and diesel head driving a small outrunner is a place to start. You'll probably break a few parts along the way and you'll need a bridge rectifier to clean up the power as well.

earlwb

I would go with a Cox .049 (0.8cc) engine set up for diesel or compression ignition use with the special head and crankshaft myself too. Also maybe the RC carb on it as well. The carb lets the microcontroller circuit control the engine based on the current load from what is drawing power from it. It was basically an electronic governor on the engine of course.
http://coxengines.ca/product.php?pro...&cat=39&page=1
Using a Cox engine would make getting parts for it easier for things that wear out over time.

A number of years ago I built a small generator charger for a robot that used a Enya .25 RC diesel engine, it worked pretty good at the time. Alas it was a project done for someone else so there are no pics of it or anything.


You might want to get a Heat sink or make a heat sink to help cool the engine better. I would also fabricate a fan of some sort to move air across the engine too.

MetallicaJunkie

i know its not what you are looking for... but you could get some ideas from it http://www.sullivanproducts.com/S660INST.pdf

Recycled Flyer

Personally, I would be looking at any old time long stroke, piston ported, two stroke marine engine.

But what worries me here is that you state "one that runs on regular diesel, or perhaps diesel with an additive." Model diesels do not use anything like 'regular diesel' fuel.

If you mean regular 'model' diesel fuel then a model marine diesel has these advantages -

A heavy flywheel to keep revs down and doubles as a pulley for a starter cord.
The end of the fly wheel is also an excellent power take off point with a universal coupling normally being present.
They are usually built strongly and the water cooled head will cope far better with 'hours' of running than any aircooled engine.
(You should not need a water pump as convection flow to a reservoir tank should be sufficient.)
And most should have an exhaust extension that will carry away oil and fumes.

I think that a certain well known auction company with its UKbranch would be your best bet for an old time marine diesel!

P.S. This type of engine but with an exhaust manifold might suit you -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyjGp8hr1pE<meta content="text/html; charset=utf-8" http-equiv="content-type" /></meta>

gkamysz

My Feedback: (19)

I have some background with this sort of thing. The first question is how much power do you need? You have to look at your application to see if it makes sense. If sunlight is available, solar might be a better choice. If you're camping for a few days or even a week, there are probably better choices, maybe even just batteries. If you'll be off grid for a month it would be worth considering a generator if solar doesn't make sense.

Cell and iPod charging is a couple watts. If the engine makes 40-50W and 80-90% is wasted the overall fuel conversion will be less than 1% and you'll have much more headache than bringing a large LiIon pack to charge from.

earlwb

Yes I can agree it is somewhat impractical. But I can envison a small engine turning a Johnson 12vdc motor or a Mabuchi 550 motor for a generator. One would have to gear it down maybe, as direct drive may not work, but it is a compression ignition engine so it should be able to handle the startup speed needs. it might make for a cool looking miniature scale gas generator rig.

I can see someone making a 1/12 scale gas generator. The pull start would be doubly cool with a Cox engine.

nitroairplane

Go for a PAW .049 any day they are great here is a link to them http://www.eifflaender.com/enginepics.htm although 1cc is not really tiny i just bought a Ronald Valentine DiVa 0.098cc. not that small even though his smallest is 0.006cc.

KeroPower

I think this is what you need:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSwha_Ug7sk[/youtube]

Mr Cox

You can do that with a direct drive and a diesel engine too:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYMeZcX6SCU[/youtube]

KeroPower

Yes, but real diesel locomotives are not direct drive. The diesel engine drives a generator.

I guess the guy wanted to be as realistic as possible.

Recycled Flyer

And notice that the whole table and some of the surrounds covered in sheet plastic - presumably to protect it from oil fumes.I can see the 'fun' aspect of this but not the practical side.

123Cat

Is that an LA 40 Glow ?

KeroPower

I think it looks more like a .15 LA glow or .10 LA glow.

KeroPower

Check this out too:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8k5K4uI1TQ&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL[/youtube]

I might build one of these generators just for fun.

KeroPower

And don't forget about this:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pjb-9Y15HY&feature=autoplay&list=ULq51Vjbq5bjM&index=2 2&playnext=1[/youtube]

KeroPower

Never mind, link did not work.

qazimoto

My Feedback: (1)

No it's not an LA 40, LA 15 or LA 10!

It's a Mills .75 or derivative! It doesn't look anything like any OS ever made!

[>:]

qazimoto

My Feedback: (1)

That six diode rectifier looked very much like a four diode one!

[8D]

KeroPower

The blue engine in the live diesel video is definately an OS LA glow engine.

gkamysz

My Feedback: (19)

The concept of a generator on an engine is simple and everyone understands. The execution of the control system and how the energy will be used or stored is the real issue at hand. Are you going to sit next to it with your finger on the throttle? Are you going to design and build a power management and regulation system?

Those live diesels are cool, but I would go a completely different route for the same effect. All of those installations are about 10 times as large as needed and efficiency of those setups makes me shudder.

Lou Crane

KeroPower, agreed - smallish OS LA in blue.

The other engine in later videos is identified in the clip showing the meter as it starts. Early 'credits' ID it as a Kyosho GX12 Nitro engine.

Things to remember with either glow or diesel engines: fuel, cooling, and exhaust 'gases.'

The fuel, as mentioned, cannot be simply filling station diesel for practical engines. Usually. it is a blend of kerosene, an igniter (ether), and oil. Consumption rates may limit the continuous run-time, if nothing else does.

Combustion engines operate by burning fuel to generate heat. Without airflow to cool exterior surfaces, better oil and/or more of it may help - as in RC car uses. The heat still must be considered.

Exhaust gases can consist largely of unburned oil, which has to be dealt with. Exhaust noise can also be a problem.

earlwb

Yeah it is a three phase full wave bridge rectifer circuit. I had used a Mabuchi 550 brush motor years ago, but I can see using a brushless motor nowadays. But then the Mabuchi motors and the Johnson 12vdc motors are so cheap to buy now, that one could simply swap them out as the brushes wear out.

I can see simply using a engine speed governor like the helicopter guys use on their heli's for this. So one wouldn't have to design, build and program one on their own, unless they really want to.

qazimoto

My Feedback: (1)

Yes correct! I was looking at the other video.

The Mills was in what they call here "Garden Railway". The Mills is a very cute application.

Ray

Recycled Flyer

Try post 9 Ray, it looks like an LA 40 to me!