Appended is a different solution to most being offered. Similar to the 
UPS / inverter / charger suggestions but potentially more 
sophisticated. And I 'just happen' to own one (two actually). Doh!

The newer one is capable of vector drive (unneeded here) and rated at 
about 1 kW. I'm not sure how easily it can be setup to  start 
instantaneously into load etc as I usually use it to ramp up a motor 
in a dynamometer I use for exercise machine alternator testing. But a 
quick skim of the manual should tell me).

Mine is actually 1 phase in, 3 phase out, and it may not like the 
absolute phase imbalance. May be more hassle than it's worth to 
investigate. We'll see. Rental still looking good ;-). (Optimum 
engineering solution - more or less in line with Olin's suggestion 
:-) ).




        RM

________________________________

Ken said:


Russell,

...

Another alternative would be a lowish-power single-phase in/out 
variable
speed motor drive.  This is essentially what the newer "inverter mode"
portable generators use to achieve voltage stabilisation and true 
sinewave
output.  You'd need to be happy that the alternator couldn't produce 
enough
volts to pop the DC input stage.

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