28 volt gas generator for charging?

[Refit1701]

A while back I bought a military generator with an 28 volt output. I believe it is adjustable to some extent. I was thinking of mounting a slave cable socket on it and using it to help start MVs at shows or mine. Can this be used as a temporary charger? This is a small genset, maybe not even 1K.

Or will the presence of unequal battery levels make it unadvisable. I figure it should at least be able to boost a vehicle when starting, if nothing else.

[rickf]

Most of those were 1500 watts and put out roughly 60 amps. I use one to start my gas powered air compressor and my MEP Generator. They will charge batteries but keep in mind it is not regulated power, it is 28 volts all the time. They were designed for running radios and mobile equipment without the vehicle power.

[Refit1701]

Hmm, maybe I could find a regulator for it.

[Bonica]

A simple 24 volt charger is more practical for routine use.
That unit might be overkill!

Fil Bonica

[rickf]

Hmm, maybe I could find a regulator for it.

It is regulated, at 28 volts. It will not taper off to a float charge. So when the batteries are fully charged it will continue to charge at 28 volts and cook them. To try to add a regulator to this setup would cost ten times more than building a gasoline motor driven standard 24 volt, 60 amp alternator off of a mutt engine on a small platform. this is what I built years ago for charging batteries out in the field when I was doing repairs in the middle of nowhere. I was using a regular 12si GM alternator with a set of jumper cables hardwired to it. Ran it off of a 10 hp Brigg and Stratton engine.

[hondo100]

Is this a 1.5kW or a 3kW?

I'm looking for a 28VDC 3kW genset.

[Bonica]

Years ago had an unregulated 28 volt charger on my jeep.
Wife cane in the house complaining about the funny smell in the garage.
Ran in to the garage ti find I had cooked a set of batteries in my Jeep.
The had boiled over and made a real mess.
Lesson learned.

Fil Bonica

[Refit1701]

Is this a 1.5kW or a 3kW?

I'm looking for a 28VDC 3kW genset.

I looked and it's 1.5k.

If you are a member of Dixie Division, you could ask on FB if anyone had a 3K for sale.

[Refit1701]

Well, I like to use my military stuff if at all possible. Battery charging is already handled by trickle chargers and other equipment.

I will add a slave cable socket to it so I can jumpstart my vehicle and other at shows. It's fairly common for the guys jeeps, etc., to not want to start after being in a garage for six months and then the 4 minute drive out of their trailer. LOL.

I've got the parts to add a socket to the 37. I'm not sure if I'll add it to the 151. I can always use jumper cables for that.

[Bonica]

If you need a NOS plug to make a charger cable I gave one available
PM if interested.

Fil Bonica