Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Auragen for House Power versus Generator
| Auragen for House Power versus Generator [message #132312] |
Mon, 27 June 2011 16:58  |
Firefly
Messages: 98
Registered: May 2008
Location: Augusta, Maine
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Has anyone ever looked at the Auragen system to use in the GMC in lieu of a separate generator? These are used in a lot of US military vehicles to generate very clean, conditioned power run off of the engine and doesn't require very many RPMs to maintain peak performance. When I checked with the company a few years back, the setup was around $8K. I have run into a local boater who bought up some NOS units and since the price is a lot less than the cost of a Honda EV6010, go ahead and buy one (or more).
The only thing the kit does not come with is liquid-tight flexible conduit and the #10 THHN wire to go between the power head and the fuse box/transfer switch, as well as engine-mounting bracket for the big Auragen (which also takes the place of the stock alternator. Using this setup, it should actually be close to 100% efficient running off of engine power, according to someone with experience; the Auragen actually acts like a secondary flywheel.
I think this could be the ticket if I go ahead with the 8.1L engine swap because there are mounting kits available for that motor. Dry camping would mean running the engine more than I'd normally do, but with a big battery bank, the weight savings over the generator and not having to run a genset while cruising will mean a hefty fuel savings overall - and extra space for a larger LPG tank for my Liquid Propane Injection (LPI).
The dream is closer with every paycheck!
Anyone else interested in the Auragen to replace their Onan?
Mark Scoble, Lunenburg, MA - 1973 23' Palm Beach Stretched to 32' and in residence at the GMC Co-Op in Orlando, FL
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| Re: Auragen for House Power versus Generator [message #132322 is a reply to message #132312] |
Mon, 27 June 2011 18:24  |
Chr$
Messages: 2690
Registered: January 2004
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
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| Firefly wrote on Mon, 27 June 2011 14:58 |
Anyone else interested in the Auragen to replace their Onan?
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Yes, with a smaller engine. How much HP does it need to produce 6KW?
You never get something from nothing, but if this thing is as efficient like the website says, then these things may end up in more cars, trucks, and make for a lighter genset.
-Chr$: Perpetual SmartAss
Scottsdale, AZ
77 Ex-Kingsley 455 SOLD!
2010 Nomad 24 Ft TT 390W PV W/MPPT, EV4010 and custom cargo door.
Photosite: Chrisc GMC:"It has Begun" TT: "The Other Woman"
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| Re: [GMCnet] Auragen for House Power versus Generator [message #132349 is a reply to message #132312] |
Mon, 27 June 2011 19:48 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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I replaced an Onan in one of our vans with a similar system... the gy who made it supplied them to the builder of the Navy's riverine boats. Although the system itself worked qwell, I wouldn't do it again in that service, or for a coach. The system had an authrottle which spun the alternator up enough to meet the requitred load, and an inverter to produce 60Hz A/C. Maximum output (This was a 7.5KW machine) required only 1,900 RPM on the truck engine (a V10 Triton in a Ford van).
My complaint was and is, sitting still with the engine on high idle produces an incredible amount of heat underhood - or on the GMC under the cockpit. Sitting still, there just iosn't enough air movement to keep the thing cool underneath. The engione doesn't overheat, but you cook the hoses, battery(s) plastioc bottles, and everything else in there. On the van (E300 Ford) we made the users put a coke can beside the hood latch and lower the hood to it, leaving a gap along each side. You can't hold your hand along that gap. That upped battery life to a bit over a year from half of that, but still it gets too hot. The GMC would in my neophyte's opinion roast.
--johnny
--- On Mon, 6/27/11, Mark Scoble <worldnet@aol.com> wrote:
From: Mark Scoble <worldnet@aol.com>
Subject: [GMCnet] Auragen for House Power versus Generator
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Date: Monday, June 27, 2011, 9:58 PM
Has anyone ever looked at the Auragen system to use in the GMC in lieu of a separate generator? These are used in a lot of US military vehicles to generate very clean, conditioned power run off of the engine and doesn't require very many RPMs to maintain peak performance. When I checked with the company a few years back, the setup was around $8K. I have run into a local boater who bought up some NOS units and since the price is a lot less than the cost of a Honda EV6010, go ahead and buy one (or more).
The only thing the kit does not come with is liquid-tight flexible conduit and the #10 THHN wire to go between the power head and the fuse box/transfer switch, as well as engine-mounting bracket for the big Auragen (which also takes the place of the stock alternator. Using this setup, it should actually be close to 100% efficient running off of engine power, according to someone with experience; the Auragen actually acts like a secondary flywheel.
I think this could be the ticket if I go ahead with the 8.1L engine swap because there are mounting kits available for that motor. Dry camping would mean running the engine more than I'd normally do, but with a big battery bank, the weight savings over the generator and not having to run a genset while cruising will mean a hefty fuel savings overall - and extra space for a larger LPG tank for my Liquid Propane Injection (LPI).
The dream is closer with every paycheck!
Anyone else interested in the Auragen to replace their Onan?
--
Mark Scoble, Lunenburg, MA - 1973 23' Palm Beach Stretched to 32' and in residence at the GMC Co-Op in Orlando, FL
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Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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| Re: Auragen for House Power versus Generator [message #132362 is a reply to message #132322] |
Mon, 27 June 2011 20:21 |
Firefly
Messages: 98
Registered: May 2008
Location: Augusta, Maine
Karma: 0
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| Quote: |
Firefly wrote on Mon, 27 June 2011 14:58
Anyone else interested in the Auragen to replace their Onan?
Yes, with a smaller engine. How much HP does it need to produce 6KW?
You never get something from nothing, but if this thing is as efficient like the website says, then these things may end up in more cars, trucks, and make for a lighter genset.
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The knowledgable gentleman said that it takes only 9.5 HP to maintain the voltage at stable levels.
Mark Scoble, Lunenburg, MA - 1973 23' Palm Beach Stretched to 32' and in residence at the GMC Co-Op in Orlando, FL
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| Re: Auragen for House Power versus Generator [message #132433 is a reply to message #132362] |
Tue, 28 June 2011 08:34 |
hertfordnc
Messages: 1164
Registered: September 2009
Location: East NC
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If the Onan burns 1 GPH (is that about right?) then it costs about 2 MPG to run, so if you could get your aux AC from the 455 I'm thinking that would probably be more efficient.
But I'm not sure an $8000 system would be necessary or smart.
How about hanging a 24 volt alternator on the engine and running it to a monster inverter. I've heard of this among the busnuts.
Seems like you could do it pretty well for under $2K
But I would never give up the Onan. That assumes never having to work on the engine on the side of the road in hot weather.
Dave & Ellen Silva
Hertford, NC
76 Birchaven, 1-ton and other stuff
Currently planning the Great american Road Trip Summer 2021
It's gonna take a lot of Adderall to get this thing right.
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| Re: Auragen for House Power versus Generator [message #132513 is a reply to message #132433] |
Tue, 28 June 2011 20:05 |
Firefly
Messages: 98
Registered: May 2008
Location: Augusta, Maine
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The price of the Auragen - from my source - is a full third less than the price of a Honda EV6010.
And I would probably carry a "suitcase Honda" for contingencies and dry camping in moderate climates - I could fit at least one, if not two in the same space as the Onan, with the Auragen control box.
I am picking up 1 or 2 this weekend - he only has three left that are complete with the control harness, so I am doing this now. Don't look for it to be installed anytime soon, though - still saving my rupees until I have enough to finish it all.
Mark Scoble, Lunenburg, MA - 1973 23' Palm Beach Stretched to 32' and in residence at the GMC Co-Op in Orlando, FL
[Updated on: Tue, 28 June 2011 21:05] Report message to a moderator |
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