I've been charging my home off grid system exclusively with the standard Chevy Delco alternator with no internal regulator, (no external regulator either...NONE) but a heavy variable load resistor to adjust amps, direct to a battery bank of 12- L16's for over 12 years. I've run different small engines over the years.  I run my CNC shop machines with the same setup but a (real) 9hp Honda. I don't have a meter on the 9 hp rig yet, so I don't know how many amps it's putting out.

I get a solid 55 amps for the house system. I'm running a 16hp Honda knock off, with a 7" sheave.  I run the engine slow as possible to put a good load on in, yet run the alt at 55 amps. 55 amps is the max I've been able to get out of these inexpensive alts dependably.

The best bang for the buck has been Napa alts at $36 each with a 3 year warranty. They are chinese rebuilt or maybe new. They look new, and out last any of the lower end auto supply cheap alts.  The Napa and 16hp chicom honda has ran excellent for 4 years now.

I have 2 lister JKson 6/1 kits I need to put together, and wondered how they would perform for this setup.

I'm going to machine some aluminum serpentine belt sheave pulleys for these setups, and start doing tests for fuel consumption, amp output and engine/alt longevity with rpm ratio tests, etc. For me direct to DC has been a cost effective off grid generator to keep running.

I never saw the need to run a big AC generator, that starts out with DC, then converts it to AC to be sent to your Grid inverter, that intern converts it back to DC for the battery bank.  I believe it's hard on the inverter as well. I've gotten a solid 10 years out of my L16s, and I'm still using my first set in the shop.

Another observation is when running machines with the AC gen and inverter charging, any startup surge really tasks my 8KW ac generator and Trace SW4000 inverter. Even a tablesaw start up. Running the alternator DC gen direct to the battery bank can handle pure surge power effortlessly.

I've been sold on it for a long time. Cheap reliable off grid power.

Oops- Shows you what I know...  

Proceeds from those right there running would pay for the cargo container.

Congrats bearhawk.

I've got 2- PS 6/1's in kit form I bought back in late 2008. Still in crates.

Probably a few buy generations for Joel in Portland than your engine. I was told they were much improved by spec order by then.

Have not had time to get them going yet, but need to soon.  Anyone have any experience with the later (last) PS listers that came out of Portland?

Hello Slow Speed Engine Fanatics...  

I've got 3 Flying Fish (brand) R175A engines (water cooled) I purchased from Joel of Power Solutions up in Portland a few years ago. 6hp plus.

One (1) is brand new in the crate.

Two (2) have actually a few hours on them BUT-
were caught in a freeze and have obviously cracked somewhere and allowed fresh water to enter their pretty little crank case. THIS is what happens when you forget and get caught in an unexpected off season freeze as we have been known to get here in the Northern California Mountains.  Also is conducive to many self kicking in the rear end moments.

What will be included is the one new in the crate engine, and the 2 other engines. Factory tool kits that came with for all 3, that included rebuild kits with new injectors and other new parts. That's a lot of of extra parts.

These are the best of the horizontal german design chinese imports.  

Chinese R175A large flywheel Horizontal shaft water cooled diesels complete with shop manual, tool kit and rebuild kit from PS Powerful Soultions out of Portland, hopper style, NOT the radiator version.

Counter balanced crankshafts.

Price:

$945

I will deliver to Redding, Ca area.

PM for details

Great starter mod.

I would say if you guys want a slam dunk with plenty of power for the Lister, use a 2 to 1 GM starter standard for a Chevy 6.5l Diesel engine. Probably started offering those starters on GM trucks in 1988-90 on up.

I have 2 trucks with the GM diesels and love em'.  My 84 4x4 with the 6.2 had the stock GM starter that was under powered IMO, and I upgraded it with the newer 2to1.  It bolts right up, and is a world of better performace.