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Old city bus, using engine as a generator


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Mikekom
New User

Mar 28, 2017, 8:16 AM

Post #1 of 7 (2536 views)
Old city bus, using engine as a generator Sign In

Hi. I am a newbie looking for some information and on which forum topic to ask this question. I hope this may be of some interest to someone out there and can point me in the right direction.
I bought a 1970 GMC New Look Transit Bus at an auction at a heck of a price. The engine has been rebuilt and I want to refurbish it as a food truck.
I wish to use the engine as my generator, it is a Allison 6V71 238HP?
Is it my correct understanding that I would need to put in a more robust alternator and this should be able to give me the power that I need? I am looking for generator power in the 10,000 to 12,000 W range.
I have experience in food trucks, but not so much in Detroit Diesel engines.
I would be very much grateful for any information that someone might give me.
Thank you for your time.
Regards,
Mike


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(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Mar 28, 2017, 8:24 AM)


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Mar 28, 2017, 8:52 AM

Post #2 of 7 (2522 views)
Re: Old city bus, using engine as a generator Sign In

Why would you want to waste all the fuel and energy of a bus engine running all the time instead of just installing a smaller, self contained generator that would cost a lot less to operate?

If you did use the bus engine you would still need a inverter to convert 12V to 110V.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Mar 28, 2017, 8:53 AM)


Mikekom
New User

Mar 28, 2017, 9:07 AM

Post #3 of 7 (2509 views)
Re: Old city bus, using engine as a generator Sign In

From an aesthetics view point, I would have to put the generator onboard the bus. To clarify, I am using the back half of the bus as seating. I was thinking about installing a generator and then putting an insulating box around it to use as a table (obviously vented to the outside) but I was under the understanding that the most efficient power generation would be by taking power from the idling engine. Am I mistaken?


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Mar 28, 2017, 9:14 AM

Post #4 of 7 (2503 views)
Re: Old city bus, using engine as a generator Sign In

I would expect the bus has luggage compartments underneath that could easily be converted to generator storage. Even if it doesn't, the space should still be available. You can't install a generator inside the bus. You will kill everyone and I think that would be bad.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Mikekom
New User

Mar 28, 2017, 9:33 AM

Post #5 of 7 (2498 views)
Re: Old city bus, using engine as a generator Sign In

I've taken a look underneath, it doesn't appear to have much space. So, in your ooinion, running off an idling engine (what about a PTO generator?) is too inefficient and I should find a way to attach a purpose built generator to the bus without it lol too clunky?


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Mar 28, 2017, 9:36 AM

Post #6 of 7 (2496 views)
Re: Old city bus, using engine as a generator Sign In

Yes, that's pretty much it. You are also going to have to likely find a place for propane tanks for cooking also. I have seen many converted buses build a platform to the rear for those things and the generator too.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Mikekom
New User

Mar 28, 2017, 11:38 AM

Post #7 of 7 (2491 views)
Re: Old city bus, using engine as a generator Sign In

I have a nice underneath for propane and grey water containing. Now I have to get creative with power generation. Thanks for your help!






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