Did I buy the wrong generator?

[k0ua]

I have a Home Depot power washer with a six horse Suburu Robin engine that I have had at least four years. A new HD offering at the time, at 500 bucks it was priced maybe 200 less than comparable sizes so I said what the heck.

At the time, I bought extra hose, etc., etc. and used my CC. Never checked my slip until I got home. The price on the washer? 400 bucks!

After some break in time, I switched to synthetic motor oil and I only use Stabil in the winter months when my gas usage is lower. Hit or miss useage of course but the Suburu starts with one pull everytime. Uses no oil. What else to ask for?

My ZTR has a Briggs 23HP and my previous mower had a 19HP engine with no real issues considering my minimalist maintenance program for my small engines.

I have 6500 watt, 8500 peak Generac I bought over ten years ago. Last time I went to use it, it started just fine but it is not putting any juice out. I guess I really should get looking at it. There in lays your bigger concern, electrical issues and not engine. From what I have heard, sometimes it is cheaper to replace than repair when the issue is electrical.

Likely problem with the genny is loss of residual magnetism from not using the generator often enough with a load. The generator can be easily repaired by "flashing" it. with a battery.. look on the web for instructions. It is an easy repair, no parts needed.

James K0UA

 

[dstig1]

Likely problem with the genny is loss of residual magnetism from not using the generator often enough with a load. The generator can be easily repaired by "flashing" it. with a battery.. look on the web for instructions. It is an easy repair, no parts needed.

James K0UA

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.

 

[k0ua]

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

 

[Pilot]

Actually ethanol is an octane booster and it's cheaper than other chemicals the petroleum industry was using before. Both regular and high octane contain 10% ethanol because that's what your idiotic government mandated several years ago. And the EPA recently approved up to 15% ethanol for newer vehicles after the ethanol industry asked for it. Fortunately, they didn't require it and since it is not approved for older cars, few gas stations will carry it for a long time.

Ethanol is corrosive, can't be shipped in pipelines and can't be stored with the gas--it is put into the gas at the distribution points. It separates out from the gas in long term storage--long term just being a few months. And ethanol absorbs water from the air. Since there is nothing good about ethanol in gasoline and you can't drink the stuff it is utterly useless except for people associated with producing and selling it and taking the gov't subsidies--your money and mine.

 

[IslandTractor]

Ethanol is corrosive, can't be shipped in pipelines and can't be stored with the gas--it is put into the gas at the distribution points. It separates out from the gas in long term storage--long term just being a few months. And ethanol absorbs water from the air. Since there is nothing good about ethanol in gasoline and you can't drink the stuff it is utterly useless except for people associated with producing and selling it and taking the gov't subsidies--your money and mine.

One more thing, ethanol is a good solvent so it actually dissolves some crap that has dried inside fuel lines, carburetors etc. That can either keep things clean or, especially when added for the first time, can loosen up crud that then moves downstream to clog carb jets etc. It also helps remove water in a tank but as you point out it can also attract water from the air. Good in short term, bad in long term.

The only good thing about corn based ethanol in our fuel is that it helps keep corn syrup out of our food. I am afraid we may be just pawns in the corn genome's plan to dominate the world.

 

[Travelover]

............I am afraid we may be just pawns in the corn genome's plan to dominate the world.

:laughing:

 

[JB4310]

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

Yup, pretty common knowledge and discussion in the internet generator data base/ searchs.

I've never needed it or even heard 1st hand about anyone needing it, but I have heard about it in those discussions.

I'd be very interested if that is what's wrong with QRTRHRS's generator, and if the reflash solves it.
I would start first looking closely at the wiring and breakers, switches etc.

JB

 

[TimberXX]

David,

Last spring while I was at a friends house briefly, we lost power at home......2 hrs later unbeknownst to me my wifey was sitting in the dark with one lone candle........

She said "Honey can you do me a big favor......please go and buy a new generator"........

Didn't take long for my rapid response of taking care of the Mrs......:thumbsup:......I had decided prior to this that when the time came (which was right then) I would buy one when there was no big demand for them to allow me the benefit of having plenty of choices.....

I ended up buying this model .... http://www.homedepot.com/Outdoors-Outdoor-Power-Equipment-Generators/RIDGID/h_d1/N-5yc1vZbx8lZ18g/R-100671888/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053 .......w/ a yamaha engine

I think you made the right choice don't look back, I'm sure you'll have many years of good service...............Much better than "Should'a would'a could'a"

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

 

[JD 4520]

Actually ethanol is an octane booster and it's cheaper than other chemicals the petroleum industry was using before. Both regular and high octane contain 10% ethanol because that's what your idiotic government mandated several years ago. And the EPA recently approved up to 15% ethanol for newer vehicles after the ethanol industry asked for it. Fortunately, they didn't require it and since it is not approved for older cars, few gas stations will carry it for a long time.

Ethanol is corrosive, can't be shipped in pipelines and can't be stored with the gas--it is put into the gas at the distribution points. It separates out from the gas in long term storage--long term just being a few months. And ethanol absorbs water from the air. Since there is nothing good about ethanol in gasoline and you can't drink the stuff it is utterly useless except for people associated with producing and selling it and taking the gov't subsidies--your money and mine.

Well stated and I agree.

 

[JB4310]

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