Use Automatic Generator Starter to start car engine for alternator charging?

[lunarfish]

I am plannng my Promaster Van Conversion using Lithium batteries and solar power. Plan to do a lot of boon docking. I am thinking about using the automatic generator start feature of an all in one inverter - charger system (like the MPP system that Will has a video on) to start my vans engine to recharge the batteries and then shut the engine off when topped off. Has anyone tried this. Does anyone see any reason why this wouldn't work? This autostart feature to charge the batteries was a feature available on the now defunct Hymer Roadtrek Class B RVs. This video explains the system very nicely. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpynSqdhzD4

I think this might be something very cool for someone like Will to tryout and sell a how to for......

Thanks for your thoughts and comments.

 

[FilterGuy]

Does anyone see any reason why this wouldn't work?

Just never park the van in a garage!!! I would worry about Carbon Monoxide poisoning. Even if you are not in a garage, you should take care.

The other issue is that it is a very expensive way to charge batteries.... but convenience is often expensive