First, you will need to gather up all of your broken down car batteries. You can either sell them or store them in a safe place until you are able to reassemble them.
Next, you will want to make sure that they have completely dried out! Batteries that remain wet can cause corrosion which would not only shorten their lifespan, but could also pose an electrical short circuit.
Once they are dry, you should check both positive and negative terminals to see if there is any white foam buildup. This is normal acid residue that has escaped from the battery during breakdown. Make sure to scrape this off as it may indicate internal damage.
Now, take a close look at the case. Is it corroded or dinged up? If so, these parts can be replaced or repaired. Do not buy cases that seem too cheap as they may have been made through less quality materials.
A good way to tell if a new case is fake is by looking at whether or not the seams fit properly. A true OEM (original equipment manufacturer) case will always match exactly along the seam lines. Cases that lack this detail are usually cheaper versions that might break down faster due to use.
After you have inspected the casing, move onto the handle assembly. Are the plastic pieces missing or does one stick out more than the others? If so, you can get new ones!
Lastly, look at the gasket in the top of the case.
Build Instructions
The next step in how to make your own homemade slow-release energy source is building the device! This article will go into more detail about this, so stay tuned!
The first thing we should talk about is what kind of gel you want to use as an additive to create your battery. There are two main types: conductive gels and nonconducting gels.
Conductive gels work by acting as an additional electrode when charging the cell. Because there’s an extra electrode, it can be recharged many times without loss of performance.
Nonconducting gels won’t contribute any positive properties to our batteries. They’ll just add some space in the container to help keep the chemicals separate.
It’s important to know which type of gel you choose to use depends mostly on whether or not you have access to electrical power. If yes, then a conducting gel makes sense!
If no, well… you get the idea. Either way, it’s totally fine to start with a nonconducting gel! It doesn’t matter what kind of gel you pick until later.
We’re going to need a tool that’s got enough room for all of our additives, and also has easy access to an outlet. A plastic bowl works great because you can easily wash it down the drain.
Cost Breakdown
The final cost of your diesel generator is mostly determined by two things, fuel type and efficiency as well as how much power it produces.
The efficiency of the engine does not change, but the higher the better since you will get more use out of the generator. This however comes at a price.
More efficient engines are usually heavier and take longer to cool down so they are only practical when stored for short periods of time. A cheap generator may work fine if you just need some extra juice during an outage, but it will waste money in the long run.
We have gathered information on the most common types of generators and what prices we found them at. By knowing this, you can pick the right one for you or even create your own!
Types of Generators
There many different types of portable generators available with variable costs depending on which ones you choose. Here we will go over the three major categories along with some examples.
Inverter-Powered Units – These use lithium ion batteries that store energy via induction instead of chemical reactions. Because there are no chemicals involved, these units do not require maintenance seasonally like regular battery powered devices would. However, due to their size, they cannot be used where there is little room to stow away easily either.
They produce a constant flow of electricity which makes them great back up power sources, but they cannot keep running without a source of energy first.
Steps to Store Your Generator
First, you want to make sure your engine is clean. This means removing all of the oil that could potentially leak out and be ruined. You also need to check and see if there are any belts or chains that could break down in cold conditions.
If so, replace them! They will not function properly without functioning correctly. Make sure to dry-fit each one before putting it back together.
You can now run through your car with a hose to make sure everything works well. If anything looks like it has dried up or melted onto another part, buy new ones and test them out.
Once you’re certain they work, get some plastic bags and place sheets of paper towel into those bags. Seal them closed, and put these into the empty space where your old battery went.
Now, pour the acid and water mixture into the bag. Be careful not to pull the top too tight as this may cause gas to escape!
After enough time, rake the gel off the sides of the container to release the gel into the other hand. Do not squeeze the end of the bag, only agitate the gel by moving it around in the container.
Repeat this process until you have used up all of the gel. Now, mix the acid and water thoroughly and remember to never handle either liquid with bare hands!
Next, take an old blanket and line the inside of the box very tightly. Use heavy blankets to ensure it does not move.
Check the Oil
One of the most important things to check when storing your generator is the oil. Make sure that it does not look burnt or dark, nor is there any fluid in the bottle.
If it has run out completely, buy more! We recommend buying an inexpensive test kit from home depot or other large stores so you can easily tell if it needs changing.
Most engines have one place where the engine gets heated up during operation, this is the main jet nozzle area. This area should be checked frequently as it may need replacing due to excessive heat causing plastic hardening which could cause burning or leaking.
Another part of the engine that will almost always require changing is the rotor (the spinning element within the alternator). These usually last around six months before needing replaced. It is best to change them while they are still working as good as new.
Empty the Gas (Or Stabilize It)
The next step in engine maintenance is to empty your gas tank! This means taking all of the liquid out, and if needed, stabilizing the fuel. If there are no signs of fluid loss, then don’t worry about it yet, but once again, keep an eye on your engine!
It can be tricky trying to work with gasoline when it isn’t completely dry. Make sure you don’t have any spills that could begin to hydrolyze or react with each other. Even a small amount of gasoline will create acid, so make sure not to let anything go to waste.
A good way to make sure everything gets used up is to pour some into a glass bottle and drink it.
Check for Damaged Components
The next thing to check is your engine’s pistons and rings. If they are everted or blown out, it can be assumed that the cylinders have been damaged at some point. Since most engines use piston rings to keep debris from entering the cylinder, there should be an adequate amount of ring material left to ensure proper function.
If the rings look worn down or missing, then they have probably been destroyed in the event of a fire. This could also indicate poor maintenance on the part of the owner.
You may also notice cracks in the head area where the valves attach. These usually occur due to heat expansion while the engine was running and will eventually seal off the valve hole. Make sure to inspect the heads thoroughly as this could mean good news!
The cone-shaped piece of metal that sits under the top of the intake valve can sometimes break away. This is called the air filter element and can typically be replaced if still working. Pull back the cover plate to make this clear!
Another component to watch out for is the crankshaft pulley. Most cars come with a plastic one but if yours does not, it may need replacing. A white fuzzy coating coming out of the pulley would indicate excessive carbon buildup which would prevent the engine from receiving enough fuel.
Perform Annual Maintenance
One of the most important things to consider when buying or building your own generator is how to maintain it. Just like any other machine, there are specific guidelines set in place to ensure it will perform its function properly for extended periods of time.
These maintenance procedures should be done according to what the manufacturer suggests but nothing too serious since this will only detract from performance. The best way to make sure this does not happen is by doing these services yourself and having them written down so that you do not forget!
Since we discussed different types of generators, let’s talk about some basic tips and tricks for keeping yours working well. We will go over internal and external maintenance, as well as something special related to diesel powered units.
Internal maintenance includes checking the pistons, valves, and seals within the engine. This helps keep fluid levels stable and efficient functionality of the unit. Because they use oil, changing the oil also aids in overall system efficiency. Make sure to have an adequate supply on hand!
External maintenance includes cleaning all areas around the unit such as the fuel tank, hoses, and cooling fins. All of these play an integral part in transferring energy away from the unit to help it run more efficiently.
Once again, being aware of how your generator functions can save you money in the long run! Luckily, you now know enough to get started.
Clean Off Dirt and Debris
One of the most important things to consider when buying a generator is how to clean it. You want to make sure that there are no dried out oil deposits or pieces of burnt up plastic. If you find such items, they may need to be replaced!
You should also check to see if there are any warnings showing the motor being shorted out due to overloading. This can cause serious damage to the machine, so make sure to look into this before use.
Along with cleaning the outside, you will want to wash the inner parts thoroughly as well. Do not forget to test the battery first! It does not matter what kind of cleaner you use, abrasive cleaners work best in getting all the dirt off. Use paper towels to wipe down all surfaces, making sure to soak them fully.
After both the body and engine have been cleaned, you can then run each part through an ultrasonic power washer to remove any leftover particles. This will help ensure that your new equipment works properly and safely.