Start o matic,
American style? I wanted to put the chevy flex plate on the generator shaft, but the 15KW ST gen head was too big in diameter. With the starter lying along side the generator, the starter gear wouldn't make it to the ring gear. Maybe the smaller 5KW machine would work? I ended up mounting the flexplate / ring gear on the engine crankshaft, but the reduction at the generator would have been better.
Now Darren suggests a sprag clutch from the starter motor to drive the belt tension idler...I didn't want to use an idler, but there is merit in the idea. Anyway, if we make Listeroid Start-o-matics, we have to adapt from local materials. Just my take.
I have been keeping an eye on the 'otherpower dot com' site, wind power and all that. The Pemanent Magnet Generators they build are most interesting. They wind thier own coils, and used super magnets to make very effective wind generators. Alternators actually. Some are 3 phase machines, one shifts from Star to Delta for efficiency. They rectify the AC on the ground and charge battery banks. To them, frequency doesn't matter. wind speed and line resistance do.
We could design direct connected alternators that are more efficient than ST heads (80%?) by following thier lead. 2 pole alternators turn 3600 RPM, 10 pole units turn 720 RPM. Choices are 600 RPM, 720 RPM, 900 RPM. Build a unit that fits on the crankshaft, or coupled direct. Be creative.
Scott E