I recently saw a unit that provides AC power. The unit provided a pretty substantial amperage that could be used to run equipment such as drills, compressors, and other construction equipment.

Has anyone installed one of these (sits opposite the DC Alternator and uses the same belt)?

I'm interested in connecting to my RV for a bit of AirConditioning while going down the road. If you have experience or recommendations of one of the units, I'm all ears! (you can PM me or email directly)

Thanks!
RJ
rjdake@citlink.net

I haven't run with the Duramax, but I can tell you the technology isn't new and it does work very well. I have a 5kw unit on my boat that has its own big-ass alternater feeding dc to an inverter(converter?) unit that can power my air conditioning, microwave, etc. Would only seem logical that a truck engine could power the same thing, though the alternator used for my boat power utilizes its own belt.

I haven't run with the Duramax, but I can tell you the technology isn't new and it does work very well. I have a 5kw unit on my boat that has its own big-ass alternater feeding dc to an inverter(converter?) unit that can power my air conditioning, microwave, etc. Would only seem logical that a truck engine could power the same thing, though the alternator used for my boat power utilizes its own belt.Thank you for the info! Your boat sounds like what I currently have for my RV via solar and battery ... the unit I'm looking at is actually an AC generator so no inverter is required ... but is far more expensive than the current system. If the simplicity merits, the expense will be worth it but I want to find someone who knows before making the leap.

IMHO using an inverter is a better option. I have swapped in a 190 amp alternator for one of the OEM alternators and use a 3kw inverter. I carry two spare serpentine belts (for one and two alternator configurations) and the removed OEM alternator so I have a backup. The downside is that 3KW at 12v requires a 0000 cable to the inverter and a larger-than-OEM cable from the oversize alternator to the batteries.

Are you talking about the realacpower generator. If not that runs off of your transmission, not sure about driving down the road with it on though??
Not sure about posting website do a search for duramax generator, or realacpower.

IMHO using an inverter is a better option. I have swapped in a 190 amp alternator for one of the OEM alternators and use a 3kw inverter. I carry two spare serpentine belts (for one and two alternator configurations) and the removed OEM alternator so I have a backup. The downside is that 3KW at 12v requires a 0000 cable to the inverter and a larger-than-OEM cable from the oversize alternator to the batteries.No batteries required in the system I am looking at. System is AC only / power out only.

The OEM batteries would work with my setup though I have swapped in dry cells. AC is provided with or without the engine runniing though 12v amp draw is 10x 110v amp draw.

Anything that just produces ac voltage with out going through a inverter will not work will going down the road. As the generator speed goes up and down with engine speed or what ever is driving the HZ will go up and down also which will probably burn up whatever you are powering. The only true ac generator I have seen is runned of the pto mount on the trans. and the engine has to run at a constant rpm to produce the correct HZ or sinewave.

http://www.aurasystems.com/

http://www.aurasystems.com/OUTSTANDING!!! Thank you BMDMAX!!! Looks like there are more options than the strict AC out ... so much the better.

Again, if anyone has used this system, I'd like to know what you think!

Anything that just produces ac voltage with out going through a inverter will not work will going down the road.

So not true!
There are a couple options.

1. something like the blackbird (I think) generator. Like a big alternator that goes under the hood. It collapses the AC field to create "constant" power. Under no load it is a square wave and under load it has a weird flat spot in the sine wave. I'm no EE, so I"m not exactly sure what the practical drawbacks of each are.

2. a hydraulic system. PTO systems are common in the fire and rescue industry. They are typically run on big trucks, but many mfgs. have come out with ford F-550 PTO setups. Also, some have belt drive pumps / kits. Great clean power. Big "tray" that needs to be mounted somewhere with 5/8" + hoses to and from 3000-ish psi.

Either will be over $3k. Hydraulic (which I know more about) are more like $6k.

OH yeah, hydraulic are between 6kW and 15kW. Up to 8kW belt driven.