> Yes, and since what comes from an alternator is AC, you don't need an inverter, but a simple transformer to step the voltage up or down. I probably should ha

> Yes, and since what comes from an alternator is AC, you don't need an inverter, but a simple transformer to step the voltage up or down. I probably should have said AC-to-AC convertor rather than inverter. My problem with that is if your using a permanent magnet generator then the voltage generated is proportional to the speed and then how do you know how to size your wiring and your transformer? It's probably not that big a deal and the answer is probably somewhere along the lines of 'leaving plenty of room for error'. In short though, I don't think it's quite as simple as just connect a generator and some wires to heat the water.