Did I buy the wrong generator?

[BobRip]

So it looks like those that drain or run dry the carbs are the vast majority.

It surprises me a little, just for the simple fact it does take extra effort.

In my case, I have definitely had my share of carb woes. but can always get them working without removal from the engine, do have to remove the bowl and jets etc.

That is with leaving bowls full of treated fuel, the few cases of serious carb trouble that required carb removal, where when the bowls were dry from extended storage, which of course could of been from fuel being left in them before storage.

I'm not changing my habit yet but am keeping an open mind.


JB

Champion Generators have a video on generator storage. They recommend running the carb dry prior to storage. The owners manual say run the unit every two weeks. I actually do this.

 

[IslandTractor]

So it looks like those that drain or run dry the carbs are the vast majority.

It surprises me a little, just for the simple fact it does take extra effort.

In my case, I have definitely had my share of carb woes. but can always get them working without removal from the engine, do have to remove the bowl and jets etc.

That is with leaving bowls full of treated fuel, the few cases of serious carb trouble that required carb removal, where when the bowls were dry from extended storage, which of course could of been from fuel being left in them before storage.

I'm not changing my habit yet but am keeping an open mind.


JB

Actually it is almost no extra work to drain the carb. Just shut the fuel off while the engine is running and let it starve. That's all I do. Engines run for up to a minute but usually less time. One of my Honda outboards has a little screw drain to get the last little bit but I don't use it. Restarting is no issue. A lot less work than cleaning out carb jets.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Uhh say what? Either you know something I have never heard of or you are pulling legs like a juvenile delinquent in an old folks home...

Nope, no leg pulling. By the way, You have the worlds largest library in you hands right now. This is what I was able to find in about 45 seconds


Generator Field Flashing - Engineers Edge

Field Flashing a Portable Generator - Electrical Wiring Forum - GardenWeb

How to Field Flash? - SmokStak

How to "flash" a generator when output is lost due to loss of excitation

RE-ENERGIZING DEAD GENERATORS



I can't vouch for the drill or 110Volt method, but the battery method works, and have heard about just putting a very very stong perm. magnet on the generator windings to start the magnetic buildup.

James K0UA

This is a new one for me but it makes sense. The last time I fired up the generator was during the 2009 ice storm we had here in Kentucky. Then, I went to use it last summer to run my electric jack hammer in the field when it was dead, I just put it back and ran a long cord.

I was just thinking about taking it to a shop. Thanks alot for this info! Tomorrow, I am going to see if this fixes it!

 

[QRTRHRS]

Uhh say what? Either you know something I have never heard of or you are pulling legs like a juvenile delinquent in an old folks home...

Around here, I have switched to using 92 octane for all my small engines, especially 2 strokes - aka my chainsaws. I go through maybe 5 gal of gas a year for these so that is like $1 a year difference (big whoop), plus you can get 92 that is ethanol-free around here, as long as you make sure to check the pumps ahead of time. Not all stations do it, but many do. MN mandates 10% ethanol in the lower grades, and Wisc doesn't seem to mandate it, but it is common. They allow an exemption for classic cars, boats, etc, but only on the high grade. No checking for what you use it for as it is a small slice of the market willing to pay up, so I don't think the state cares much.

The Stihl BR600 leaf blower I bought three years ago called for 89 octane with synthetic oil. When I ran out of Stihl "dino" oil, I switched to the 89/syn for my other Stihl equipment. Big difference in the way everything runs.

I need to look into the enthanol content in high octane here in KY. Other than the leaf blower, like you my two cycle usage is limited so I can afford the higher grade. The ethanol is hard on the rubber fuel pickup lines.

Go figure though, I just picked up another seven gallons of 89 to finish up the leaf blowing!

 

[MossflowerWoods]

So my new Husky 5000w generator fired up every time on the first pull (and I'm pulling left handed too).

It already has a fuel shut off built into the side of the tank.

One time shutting it off I used the fule switch, the last time I used the cutoff because I know I running it again today :thumbsup:

Thanks for all the great advice!

I am happy with my generator!

Next I will buy one of those kits so I can hook it into the house when/if needed due to power outage to run the fridge/freezer, etc...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Blessings upon all TBN'ers!
David

 

[TimberXX]

There are alot of good deals online for transfer switches (which connect your genset to your house).

I bought it online, and had my electrician install it.

Good luck.

 

[Depmandog]

David mentioned that he didn't have many choices on generators, that generators were slim pickings in his area.....

That prompted a recollection of my own. I think it was 2003, we had a Major ice storm that hit the region. We were lucky, and only without power for 3 1/2 days, but plenty of people in the area was without for two weeks.

As you can imagine, you couldn't find a generator anywhere. Stores were hauling in generators from states away.

At the end of the following winter, the market became flooded with 'used' generators of all shapes and sizes. Most of these generators had only seen service during the ice storm.

The point of my post: David, if you are not happy with your current or would be in the market for a bigger generator - keep your eyes open towards the end of the next hurricane season. I suspect you will find many good deals on slightly used generators.

Dean

 

[WilliamBos]

I am a Yamaha fan. I briefly looked at Yamaha generators. They are cheaper than Hondas and have some better features.

Did you buy a Yamaha??

 

[TimberXX]

Did you buy a Yamaha??

I ended up with a Briggs powered Generac.

But my next generator will be yamaha inverter, no question.

 

[dstig1]

This is a new one for me but it makes sense. The last time I fired up the generator was during the 2009 ice storm we had here in Kentucky. Then, I went to use it last summer to run my electric jack hammer in the field when it was dead, I just put it back and ran a long cord.

I was just thinking about taking it to a shop. Thanks alot for this info! Tomorrow, I am going to see if this fixes it!

Wild. Never heard of this issue. Can't even say it makes sense to me, but hard to argue with a bunch of sources. I've never heard of a magnet losing magnetism other than if it gets heated up to phase transition points. Maybe I'm missing something. Good to know - ya learn something new everyday...

 

[JD 4520]

There are alot of good deals online for transfer switches (which connect your genset to your house).

I bought it online, and had my electrician install it.

Good luck.

The generator transfer switches are great and real fairly straight forward to install. I've installed three myself.

 

[Travelover]

The generator transfer switches are great and real fairly straight forward to install. I've installed three myself.

+1 Easy as wiring a wall switch. Gentran has a video that walks you through it.

Gentran Corporation: Generator Transfer switches for home & business

 

[QRTRHRS]

+1 Easy as wiring a wall switch. Gentran has a video that walks you through it.

Gentran Corporation: Generator Transfer switches for home & business

Pretty easy but make sure you throw the main breaker and stay away from the hot leads coming in from the meter if you don't work around electicity.

 

[QRTRHRS]

So, I pulled the generator out of my garage and fired it up. The gas though treated has been in for some time so it took a bit to smooth out. Meanwhile, I was getting my drill ready.

So, here goes, I plugged the drill in and pulled the trigger and dang the drill ran? Maybe the last time I had the gen out I was having a senior moment? Beats me because I had checked it with my meter and all my outlets were dead but it sure is putting out now?

Exciting a generator is not like snipe hunting is it?

 

[samandmax]

If you must have a honda engine, go with the GX commercial series if you can. They are warranted for three years commercial use. The GC series is only 3 months for commercial use. GC series is the homeowner once in a while use engine. It has a internal timing belt on plastic pulleys, and the way to remove carb to clean and replace is silly with four items to be held together with the same two screws. Sorry if I hurt anyones feelings on Honda. I have and do own their very expensive stuff since the eighties, when they only made top shelf engines.Like many companies they have reduced the quality in certain products to meet a price point for the masses.

 

[k0ua]

Wild. Never heard of this issue. Can't even say it makes sense to me, but hard to argue with a bunch of sources. I've never heard of a magnet losing magnetism other than if it gets heated up to phase transition points. Maybe I'm missing something. Good to know - ya learn something new everyday...

Its not like there is a big permenant magnet in there, it is self excited by the build up of the field by a small amount of the current generated fed back into the field coil. But there has to be some small amount of residual magnetism in the iron plates of the stator there to begin with to generate any power to feed back to build up the magnetic field.. Which came first the chicken or egg? without power generation there can be no feedback to make a magnetic field. Without a magnetic field there can be no power generation. I am not sure why the small amount of residual magnetism fails from non- use, but maybe it is earth natural magnetic fields cancel it out after a while I am not really sure. ( I bet if I looked for a while I could find an answer) But I do know it happens I have seen it and I have seen it easily repaired by "flashing" it with a battery. I am sure some of the other methods would work too. The moral of the story is to always run your generator at least a couple of times each year, and hopefully more.

James K0UA

 

[k0ua]

So, I pulled the generator out of my garage and fired it up. The gas though treated has been in for some time so it took a bit to smooth out. Meanwhile, I was getting my drill ready.

So, here goes, I plugged the drill in and pulled the trigger and dang the drill ran? Maybe the last time I had the gen out I was having a senior moment? Beats me because I had checked it with my meter and all my outlets were dead but it sure is putting out now?

Exciting a generator is not like snipe hunting is it?

Just how do you get a generator excited? Well first you could try plying it with alcohol, soft music and low lighting.

No my friend I assure you it is not like snipe hunting, or leg pulling or anything like that. I have seen a Generator that put out no voltage fixed by flashing the field. The hardest part is figuring out the polarity and remembering how to attach the clip lead to the poles of the battery. some also recomend a load in series with the battery (like a tail light bulb or resistor) to limit current, but what I saw was using a cordless drill battery directly on the field for a couple of seconds. It works. It is for real. I read one account that said putting a large very strong permanant magnet on the side of the stator would work also. I cannot say that it will but I cannot say it wont either.

James K0UA

 

[JB4310]

Maybe by plugging that drill in, there was a little magnetism in the drill, that was enough to jump start the process ?????

JB

 

[daybreak1998]

Field flashing a generator can be found on the internet. The basic way is to use a regular drill and a cordless drill. You connect the drill into the generator plug. You make a small wood dowel and put it in the drill. Connect the cordless drill to the other end of the dowel. You fire up the generator let it level out after a few minutes of running time. You turn on the circuit breaker. You pulled the trigger on the corded drill. And you then run the cordless drill. ( corded drill set for normal clockwise rotation, and cordless set for counter clockwise rotation) Get ready for the generation of electricity. That means the regular drill plugged in will power up by itself. That is why you use a small wood dowels that can break away. Or you can go to a generator repair shop which has a special tool which plugs it in and has a special circuit breaker and battery attached that they click a button to field flash.

 

[Chilly807]

Wild. Never heard of this issue. Can't even say it makes sense to me, but hard to argue with a bunch of sources. I've never heard of a magnet losing magnetism other than if it gets heated up to phase transition points. Maybe I'm missing something. Good to know - ya learn something new everyday...

We have the same problem with bigger (850 kw) generators at work from time to time, especially if the generator has been sitting for a long time (e.g. during a refit). Although I don't personally do that part of the job, we often have to re-flash the excitation fields.

9 times out of 10 whenever you see an ad like this "home backup generator for sale, engine works fine but has no electrical output" all that's wrong with it is the field has to be re-flashed.

I make a point of starting mine at least 3-4 times a year to avoid this problem.

Sean