Homemade diesel-electric platform truck

AI Thread Summary
A homemade diesel-electric conversion has been created from a battery-powered platform truck, featuring a 30hp diesel engine and two generators (6 Kw DC and 6 Kw AC). The setup currently operates solely on the generators without batteries, raising concerns about fuel efficiency compared to mechanical transmissions. The creator plans to build a dump bed but questions the practicality of using this system as a work vehicle due to high fuel consumption. There are indications that the diesel-electric combination may not be optimized, particularly regarding the power output and operational RPMs of the generators and engine. Overall, the discussion highlights the complexities and potential inefficiencies of this diesel-electric conversion.
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Hi, this is my diesel-electric conversion for what was a battery only powered platform truck. Its got a 30hp diesel engine, a 6 Kw DC generator, and another 6 Kw AC generator. One thing to point out is that I'm running it only with the generators, no batteries.
Here's some pics of it:

Diesel and 3-phase generator
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DC generator in front of the engine
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Video:
 

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Just for fun? Or are you going to put it to work?
 
Bystander said:
Just for fun? Or are you going to put it to work?

I want to build a dump bed for it, but it's not so ideal to make it a work vehicle. This diesel-electric setup burns a lot of fuel compared to a mechanical transmission. I don't know if that's normal, or it might be something wrong with the engine or with the electrical side...
 
Take a look at the brushes on the electrical end of things.
 
Bystander said:
Take a look at the brushes on the electrical end of things.

Interestingly, it says that diesel-electric transmission is more economical than the mechanical one. I may got the diesel-generator-motor combination wrong. Not taking to consideration the fact that the AC generator is making peak power @1500 rpm, while the diesel makes peak torque at a little over 1500 revs. Also, there's a huge difference between the diesel output and the electric motor output, (the e-motor has 7 hp while the diesel has 30).
 
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