DYI Engine Generator First Steps

So I decided to take another step towards energy independence and once again it had to be DYI! I found an article in hompower magazine #42 on how to make a 12 volt engine generator. So the basic idea of of this thing is to have a small lawn mower engine a car alternator and some sort of field controller to control the 12 volt output from the alternator. Where to start? well I figure I would start with the controller first.



My long term plan is to build a small solar system you know the type with panels not planets I'll work my way up to planets later. Anyway I'm starting with the controller because I figure that I have one deep cycle battery now for my backup power for my radios, and I use a AC trickle charger to keep it topped off. So if the power ever goes out I only have the small VW solar panel to trickle charge it. So I figure if I build the charge controller first I could use it in an emergency by just hooking it up to my cars alternator. Also doing it this way I able to take my time looking for an engine and an alternator and maybe I can get it for my favorite price free.