openinverter forum

Finished the upper motor mounts this morning. Had some errands to run this afternoon and after I got back I managed to get the engine installed. It's actually pretty much perfectly balanced with the generators attached to the back. Used the engine hoist to set it in place and hold it in position while I made the turnbuckles that attach to the top mount and control the level of the engine.

Planning electrical now. I need a box to hold stuff like the rectifiers, tachometer, relays, etc. I was planning on putting it on the opposite side of the inverter but I think I am going to mount it to the top of the inverter since it has some mounting bosses. I'll put the water pump, fuel pump, and other stuff on the other side. Also trying to figure out where to put the pedals. I have a good idea where, I just need to make the mounts.



IMG_8842 by Jerry Biehler, on Flickr

IMG_8845 by Jerry Biehler, on Flickr

IMG_8846 by Jerry Biehler, on Flickr

IMG_8847 by Jerry Biehler, on Flickr

IMG_8848 by Jerry Biehler, on Flickr

Yesterday I made the mounts for the pedals. The brakes were easy, just four 5/16" bolts. The electronic pedal, not so simple. It's from a BMW and it is held to the floor with one M6 bolt... at a 30 degree angle with all sorts of features on the backside also at a 30 degree angle. I set up my sine vise on the mill, I think the first time since I got it, and milled out a recess out of a piece of 1/2" thick scrap aluminum to match. It works well, lock in solid. I added a piece of 1/4" steel to the front of the brake mount and put an array of holes because I really dont know where the pedals should be in relation to each other. So I can move the accelerator pedal in 1/2" increments back and forward. A couple 1/4" SHCSs hold the adapter block down. I went to plumb in the brake line and found I dont have a flaring tool that will do 3/16". dang it.

I ordered two more battery packs to scavenge the batteries out of, they dropped the price down to $35 a pack. It's a whole lot easier to add capacity now than later.

I went to do some more work on it this afternoon, extending off the rear drive motor mount to add mounts for the fuel tank and other accessories like the fuel pump, water pump, and the charge limiting resistors. Turned on the mill and found the Z axis would not move. Opened the cabinet and both that and the spindle servo were not enabled. I traced it back to a common relay between the both of them that was not pulling in. Coil read fine and was getting power but no clickly. I pulled it apart and actuated it by hand and it seems free, put it back in the mill and it's working now. So I'll look for another one for when it fails permanently.

One other little interesting thing is on the fuel line on the engine between the solenoid and the injector it is covered in something black. I had always assumed it was some sort of insulation. But then I remembered getting scratched on some cut off soldered wires. I measured from each end, 18 ohms, its a fuel heater. At 28v it would put out 45watts. I think it's to make diesel easier to burn. Might come in handy since I plan on running it on diesel. Looking at the picture I took I also see the valve is in backwards.

IMG_8854 by Jerry Biehler, on Flickr

IMG_8855 by Jerry Biehler, on Flickr

IMG_8856 by Jerry Biehler, on Flickr

IMG_8857 by Jerry Biehler, on Flickr