Jeff-C175 7,202 #1 Posted September 26, 2022 (edited) I was talking about this engine in another thread when I contemplated using it on my C-125. But... I took out the balance gears in the engine on the tractor and no more knock, so I don't need to do anything further... so now I have this 3600W generator in pieces. I figured why not 'clean it up' a little and keep it for a backup to my big generator. It was a real mess when I got it. No wheels, a bag of fertilizer had been stored on top of it, etc... Yes... that white plastic fuel pump is original 1980 vintage! I was very surprised to find white plastic under the red paint. That's where I'm at today... should be able to get the control box back on tomorrow... also the starter and solenoid... then fire it up! It didn't come with a fuel tank. Need to find something that will work. Also missing the 'top hat' for the air cleaner. Edited September 26, 2022 by Jeff-C175 7 12 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff-C175 7,202 #2 Posted September 26, 2022 (edited) By the way... Duplicolor Engine Enamel in the "RED" color is almost a dead on match for Regal Red. In the photos above, the engine block is done in Duplicolor, the tins and the generator body are Regal Red. I can't see much if any difference... Edited September 26, 2022 by Jeff-C175 2 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Heatingman 971 #3 Posted September 26, 2022 Looks great! 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 8,327 #4 Posted September 26, 2022 That bag of fertilizer just may have been the ticket to having kept the mice away from the cotton jacketed wires..... 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,567 #5 Posted September 26, 2022 Excellent job! 1 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,905 #6 Posted September 26, 2022 That’ beautiful work! 1 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 12,233 #7 Posted September 26, 2022 Nice job, Jeff. I'm sure you're looking forward to hearing it run. Curious to me is a 12hp engine on a 3600w generator. I'd expect to see a 5,000w rating (~2hp per 1000 watts being the rule of thumb). That engine won't be working too hard. 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,567 #8 Posted September 26, 2022 25 minutes ago, Handy Don said: Nice job, Jeff. I'm sure you're looking forward to hearing it run. Curious to me is a 12hp engine on a 3600w generator. I'd expect to see a 5,000w rating (~2hp per 1000 watts being the rule of thumb). That engine won't be working too hard. Depends on the OE RPM set. Many older generators were 1800 RPM. I don't have a specific number to quote but the HP at 1800 is certainly less than 12. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lee1977 6,663 #9 Posted September 26, 2022 (edited) A 12 HP 301 puts out 7.5 HP at 1800 RPM. Edited September 26, 2022 by Lee1977 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 12,233 #10 Posted September 26, 2022 24 minutes ago, ebinmaine said: Depends on the OE RPM set. Many older generators were 1800 RPM. Good point, 1800 was pretty common on Onan portable gensets. What say you @Jeff-C175? Is this an 1800 or 3600rpm generator? 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 17,741 #11 Posted September 26, 2022 Just now, Handy Don said: Good point, 1800 was pretty common on Onan portable gensets. What say you @Jeff-C175? Is this an 1800 or 3600rpm generator? He mentioned in the other thread 1800 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lee1977 6,663 #12 Posted September 26, 2022 If it doesn't put out power. With the engine not running plug in an electric drill and turn it by hand to exite the generator. They loose that If it sets long enough, I had to do that to mine when it would put out power. 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff-C175 7,202 #13 Posted September 26, 2022 (edited) 1 hour ago, Lee1977 said: If it doesn't put out power. With the engine not running plug in an electric drill and turn it by hand to exite the generator. They loose that If it sets long enough, I had to do that to mine when it would put out power. That's interesting Lee. I remember having to do that in the last century on cars that had DC generators. I think we called it "flashing the field" or some such... I wasn't aware that it might be necessary with an AC alternator though? I'll know soon enough! @Handy Don 1800 RPM as Paul mentioned. Edited September 26, 2022 by Jeff-C175 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Heatingman 971 #14 Posted September 27, 2022 13 hours ago, Lee1977 said: If it doesn't put out power. With the engine not running plug in an electric drill and turn it by hand to exite the generator. They loose that If it sets long enough, I had to do that to mine when it would put out power. Turn the drill by hand thats plugged into the generator outlet? Or what do you mean? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff-C175 7,202 #15 Posted September 27, 2022 (edited) Control box is mounted and wired. Starter and solenoid mounted and wired. What's left on the 'to do' list? Install muffler. I need to get a 'close nipple' because with the control box in place the 2" nipple I have won't allow installing the 90° elbow without hitting the control box. I suppose I could unbolt the control box to get it out of the way... OR... maybe a 'street ell' will thread in... yeah, that's what I'm going to do. Figure out what to do for a fuel tank. For testing I'm going to run a hose into a fuel container. I suppose I could run it that way when I need to use it... Locate an air cleaner 'top hat'. Anybody have one they care to part with that they aren't too 'proud' of? (aka: reasonably priced) Hook up a battery. Fill with oil !!! (note to self!) DON'T FORGET TO DO THIS!!! Fabricate some 'push handles' to make it easier to move around. Edited September 27, 2022 by Jeff-C175 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lee1977 6,663 #16 Posted September 27, 2022 2 hours ago, Heatingman said: Turn the drill by hand thats plugged into the generator outlet? Or what do you mean? Yes Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff-C175 7,202 #17 Posted September 29, 2022 (edited) I believe I've got a lead on an original gas tank! and possibly an entire second 'parts generator' ! I got the muffler installed by unbolting the control box and moving it over a little to clear the elbow so I could thread it in. I had this running yesterday. Wow... I didn't realize how slow 1800 RPM is! Heck, that's just above idle! short video: https://photos.app.goo.gl/CCQztp7caSia7aRW8 Loaded both sides of the 240 with a pair of 1500W electric heaters and the engine didn't even really grunt. Still not running the way I would like though, it 'putts' or 'pops' every now and then. Not loud, but annoying. I think I need to do a 'deep clean' of the carburetor. I did a pretty thorough cleaning, but maybe I need to soak it for a couple days. Have not had the head off yet, so I'm going to do that also and clean the chamber and check the condition of the valves. I doubt they are bad, this engine has VERY low hours on it. In the video above, it wasn't doing this... Edited September 29, 2022 by Jeff-C175 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snoopy11 5,714 #18 Posted September 29, 2022 53 minutes ago, Jeff-C175 said: I didn't realize how slow 1800 RPM is That is what my 457 Duromax idles at... Don 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 12,233 #19 Posted September 29, 2022 3 hours ago, Jeff-C175 said: Still not running the way I would like though Very very nice! One thing to check while you have your DVOM out is the frequency of the A/C. For heat and light and most chargers, the frequency isn't critical, but for motorized stuff it should be very close to 60hz. My generator has an adjustment screw for the governor tension. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 41,142 #20 Posted September 29, 2022 14 minutes ago, Handy Don said: Very very nice! One thing to check while you have your DVOM out is the frequency of the A/C. For heat and light and most chargers, the frequency isn't critical, but for motorized stuff it should be very close to 60hz. My generator has an adjustment screw for the governor tension. And circuit boards in furnaces and tankless water heaters. They don't like "dirty power" 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff-C175 7,202 #21 Posted September 29, 2022 (edited) 3 hours ago, squonk said: And circuit boards in furnaces and tankless water heaters. They don't like "dirty power" And my clothes washer! Freakin' thing goes NUTS! when run off my Generac. Not sure if it's harmonic distortion, or wandering freq and/or voltage, but it can't decide if it wants to wash, rinse or spin. Edited September 29, 2022 by Jeff-C175 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff-C175 7,202 #22 Posted September 30, 2022 3 hours ago, Handy Don said: Very very nice! One thing to check while you have your DVOM out is the frequency of the A/C. For heat and light and most chargers, the frequency isn't critical, but for motorized stuff it should be very close to 60hz. My generator has an adjustment screw for the governor tension. Yepper, done. Freq was about 64 Hz no load and about 62 @ full load. I backed it down to 62 @ no load. There is a multi-tapped transformer for the purpose of tweaking the output voltage by varying the field voltage. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 48,828 #23 Posted September 30, 2022 Just caught this Jeff and excellent resto. I might have that air cleaner have to look. @Achtoyou see this? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff-C175 7,202 #24 Posted September 30, 2022 3 minutes ago, WHX?? said: might have that air cleaner Thanks, but the guy I got it from texted me that he found it, and the tank! 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,567 #25 Posted September 30, 2022 5 minutes ago, Jeff-C175 said: Thanks, but the guy I got it from texted me that he found it, and the tank! Excellent!! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites