Single direction installation diagram

[mervk]

Actually, your suggestion of the micro switch isn't a bad idea. Perhaps if I put in on the D+, it would only be energised when throttle was opened past the switch. Infinitly adjustable. Wonder if the D+ is the right place for it?

[sho305]

You can run a relay on the start solenoid, have the switch turn it on when more throttle is used. Unless the limit switch will handle that 3A or whatever it takes to run it. Then you will turn on the start solenoid to start it momentary and the micro switch will turn it on to charge at higher rpm. Assuming you use more throttle at high rpm and keep it there, but you said it idles so really you only need turn off the start solenoid (which disconnects the battery from the gen) at idle right, so that could work. You could put a cap/resistor to delay the relay if you want so it takes so many seconds to turn on, that way it would not go on/off if you throttled on/off quickly, if that is an issue.

The gen takes no power long as you are above start cranking rpm, but with your pulley it is not it seems. You will have to cut the battery from it to make it stop trying to start it. The charge wires have no effect on starting they only create a load to charge with the field current, which only works when it has enough rpm to create current. Gens were same in cars and tractors they never did much at low rpm that is why they all went to alternators eventually.

[mervk]

Yes, it runs at full throttle quite a bit of the time, so would still get ample charge. Just clearing some towns could have up to a dozen level crossings, so may have half hour of slow revs until out of civilisation. That's when the low revs are used.

Be nice to do away with the solenoid though. Perhaps the smaller pulley will do the trick for me as far as revs go. Hopefully will try that next week. Cheers.

[sho305]

The full time solenoid has to be connected to charge, though on old lawnmowers it does not but I don't know how they are wired or if the gen is different. Take a look at a 60-70s cub cadet mower with a kohler they start like a car and the gen charges.

[mervk]

Update for sho305. Just letting you know I now have it working. Not good at schematics, so hope you can understand attached diagram. Using one solenoid only for starting, with an off/ign/start key switch. Solenoid is only energised while key held at start position.

The Navara slave battery switch works good. When generator is not charging, there is no power connection to allow it to run in starter mode, however when revs pick up and it outputs 13.3v or better, the Navara completes the circuit allowing charge to reach the battery. Getting around 15 amps.

Have a crossover switch for the pos and field wires from the generator. 99% of travel is forward, so this switch has red to regulator F, and green to regulator + 99% of the time. On the odd occasions in reverse, this switch manually reverses these wires, allowing it to charge in reverse.

Very pleased with it. Thanks for your suggestions. It took a bit of nutting out, but great result for me. Cheers. Merv.