Your last generator Maintenance Run

[3930dave]

View attachment 681684
View attachment 681685

This was the automatic standby generator that I put together about 20 years ago, the generator end was a 4 pole Dayton that turned 1800 RPM, I used a belt reduction to let the engine turn fast enough to power the generator, ended up at about 2800 engine rpm to get 1800 at the generator.

After 20 years the generator failed. The engine was still fine, it ran on propane it痴 whole life. Now it痴 burning gasoline and powering my friends lawn tractor. Honda engines are hard to beat.

I doubt I値l get twenty years out of the 22kw Generac that replaced it, but you never know......

Neat old build there .

Gotta luv long-running engines....... at least you know how to maintain things, unlike grs's "It didn't start" customers who totally ignore their Generacs.....

Rgds, D.

 

[downsizingnow48]

Did my usual periodic tests on the three generators. 6.5kw electric start Honda no problem. 30 year old 3.5kw Craftsman, first pull like usual. Honda 2.2kw, no start. Gas OK but spark plug carbon-fouled. Took a new plug off the shelf, then it started ok. I think I let it idle ("eco-throttle") too long last time, then shut if off. That is probably what caused the spark plug to foul. My experience has taught me that I am myself the cause of almost all small engine problems.

I would like to be able to go back in time and thank the folks that designed and built that Craftsman generator, and let them know what a good job they did. It is a Generac product with a Tecumseh engine. Absolutely reliable.

 

[ultrarunner]

Did my usual periodic tests on the three generators. 6.5kw electric start Honda no problem. 30 year old 3.5kw Craftsman, first pull like usual. Honda 2.2kw, no start. Gas OK but spark plug carbon-fouled. Took a new plug off the shelf, then it started ok. I think I let it idle ("eco-throttle") too long last time, then shut if off. That is probably what caused the spark plug to foul. My experience has taught me that I am myself the cause of almost all small engine problems.

I would like to be able to go back in time and thank the folks that designed and built that Craftsman generator, and let them know what a good job they did. It is a Generac product with a Tecumseh engine. Absolutely reliable.

I have some old school craftsman that also stood the test of time... Sears Best really meant something when I was a kid...

The old 3.5 hp Sears Briggs engine is simply amazing... bought in 1988 and only the minimum of care.

 

[fried1765]

I have some old school craftsman that also stood the test of time... Sears Best really meant something when I was a kid...

The old 3.5 hp Sears Briggs engine is simply amazing... bought in 1988 and only the minimum of care.

I still have my dad's 15HP single cyl. Briggs powered lawn tractor.
It will be 49 years old this year , and runs perfectly.
May have run for almost 2000 hours total ....so far!

 

[3930dave]

Did my usual periodic tests on the three generators. 6.5kw electric start Honda no problem. 30 year old 3.5kw Craftsman, first pull like usual. Honda 2.2kw, no start. Gas OK but spark plug carbon-fouled. Took a new plug off the shelf, then it started ok. I think I let it idle ("eco-throttle") too long last time, then shut if off. That is probably what caused the spark plug to foul. My experience has taught me that I am myself the cause of almost all small engine problems.

I would like to be able to go back in time and thank the folks that designed and built that Craftsman generator, and let them know what a good job they did. It is a Generac product with a Tecumseh engine. Absolutely reliable.

Might be low-hours on the little Honda, but if not, air-filter good ? I don't routinely dose with it, but when a small engine seemed a bit "off" is when I pull out the Sea-Foam.

Triple-threat backup, good stuff 48 :thumbsup:.

Never owned a Tecumseh, but a buddy had/has a few that he liked...... just checked, they are still around in some form (production wise); I had thought they were gone altogether.....

Tough market to be in..... with the B&S Chapter 11 in 2020....

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

I still have my dad's 15HP single cyl. Briggs powered lawn tractor.
It will be 49 years old this year , and runs perfectly.
May have run for almost 2000 hours total ....so far!

No doubt, with those years, the basic mtce was done, but still..... lots of years/hours...... it must have cast-iron liners, or back then was it just an iron-block ?

Rgds, D.

 

[fried1765]

No doubt, with those years, the basic mtce was done, but still..... lots of years/hours...... it must have cast-iron liners, or back then was it just an iron-block ?

Rgds, D.

Cast Iron block !

 

[Will S]

Dave it has a temperature guage, it never gets above 160 that I've seen. Meters :laughing: yeah I have one with all kind of functions and Chinese symbols, I'm only qualified on "continuity". No numbers to decipher, just listen for the beep:cool2:
Both of my cousins were electrical contractors, they did the plumbing (wiring ) and once everything was wired he had a clamp on meter to measure the load and had me turn on everything I could. I had a table saw, several bench grinders, my rotary phase converter, all the shop lights..... my load didn't impress him.
I'll have one of them check what I have at the house.

I just ran across this thread earlier today, and saw your comment about the engine temperature. I hope I'm not stepping on anyone's toes coming on here. I mean this only to be helpful to those not aware.

If a diesel is running lightly loaded (not really working) it doesn't reach normal operating temps (about 180-190). The engine could be experiencing wet-stacking, and prolonged running like that can cause damage to the engine. As a reference:Wet stacking - Wikipedia

Best thing for any diesel is to work it. I apologize if you feel I'm out of line here. This is a very interesting and informative thread, and I like your installation. Very nice build and well thought out.

 

[3930dave]

Cast Iron block !

Good example of why they don't Build 'Em like That Anymore...... last too long.

Rgds, D.

 

[daugen]

some of the older Briggs singles are a joy to look at, so much metal in there....
not anymore

going to run my gen today when temps get to 50 in heat of day and see if it runs on propane.