Has anyone toyed around with the idea of using a magnetic clutch (such as is used on automotive A/C compressors to engage the connection between generator and your flywheel? I was working on my jeep york-powered 10cfm onboard air-compressor system yesterday, and it hit me. If your lister was to be used for more than just power generation, i.e. pumping water, or driving something else, like a seed press.. it would seem to be simple to have two clutches, one for each device, and as you needed extra electricty as your battery banks died down, a simple relay would kick in, disengaging the mechanical device you were running, and engaging the gen-head. All with a minimum of work necessary to do so.

I'm not sure just how powerful the clutch would have to be in one of these situations, but they're just simple electro-magnets and the concept has been used for years in other technologies..

What say you?

Hey guys.. I'm new to the forum, but have lurked about the various off-grid home-power sites, and I've got a question..

How do you calculate what size generator you need? For instance, my current elec. co sends me a bill with the average kwh per day usage. Is it as simple as taking this number, dividing by 24, and sizing your gen to be slightly larger?