What to build?

[Denman]

Originally Posted by sanddrag

Okay. I've got my 3hp horizontal lawnmower engine running quite well now. Now I just need a project to build around it.

I was thinking Gokart but it is a little too small don't you think? I'm thinking it wouldn't be fast enough or powerful enough.

I was thinking big RC Car but it is a little too big (steering and brake actuation is the problem, I don't think even 1/4 scale servos would do it would they?).

I suppose I could make one heck of a scooter (stand on style) but again brakes would be a bit difficult to implement

Do you think it is powerful enough to hook up to an alternator and make a decent arc welder (like 130 amps)? Or would it kill the engine every time I tried to strike an arc?

I was thinking of making a generator but the power doesn't really go out very often, and when it does, it is usually back up in <35mins.

What are your thoughts? What should I do with this thing? I don't want to have to do any machining, but I do have limited access to an arc welder to lay down a few welds if I need to. I'd like to do this project on the cheap, but I am willing to spend a little bit. So, what should I do with this gem of an engine?

Video clip of the engine starting and running

ups ? lol
you could put it back in a lawnmower and enter lawnmower racing ...
i'm stuck for ideas...