I have a gasoline engine driven welder which has a 40v dc generator with a 200 amp max welding output. The gas engine is a four cylinder of 162 cu in displacement and 6/1 compression ratio. The engine is hand crank started with no provision for a starter. I start the engine by connecting two 12v "standard" car batteries wired in series (24v) to the welding leads with the welder output controls turned down to minimum. The generator is thereby motorized and the engine starts. I tried a single 12v battery which didn't work; I didn't try three 12v batteries because I didn't need to. Now, I'd like to optimize the process.
What is the effect of using 36v vs 24v? That is, could I use three smaller 12v batteries (e.g., motorcycle batteries) instead of the two larger 12v car batteries? Also, if less than the 40 volts of the generator (i.e., 24v or 36v) will work, would it hurt to use more volts, say 48v, than the generator's output?
What is the effect of using 36v vs 24v? That is, could I use three smaller 12v batteries (e.g., motorcycle batteries) instead of the two larger 12v car batteries? Also, if less than the 40 volts of the generator (i.e., 24v or 36v) will work, would it hurt to use more volts, say 48v, than the generator's output?
