The ebay generator restoration thread
Discussion
Hope this is ok to post. I bought a running but not generating pro user suitcase generator from ebay. I want it for my dad so he can use his strimmer on his allotment as my existing clarke cage generator is too heavy to lug about.
It runs fine but no output. No lights come on. I have a friend who is a car mechanic and he will look at it for me but I was wondering if there were any common faults to save him time.
Its this one https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pro-User-Stroke-Inverter-...
Was only £26 quid and I won £25 quid on the lottery so if its knackered its not the end of the world.
It runs fine but no output. No lights come on. I have a friend who is a car mechanic and he will look at it for me but I was wondering if there were any common faults to save him time.
Its this one https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pro-User-Stroke-Inverter-...
Was only £26 quid and I won £25 quid on the lottery so if its knackered its not the end of the world.
Sorry, but it's unlikely to be economic to fix. Virtually all the Honda invertor clones are rubbish. I saw a test recently where an ancient Onan generator and a brand new Chinese one were run back to back, under their full rated load - the Onan kept going for weeks and didn't stop. The Chinese one blew after 22 hours!
Just a bump for more generator porn.... anyone?
Also, while trawling, I discovered what could be a source of cheap generators, the police auctions.
3 for sale in doncaster, zero bids, none of them above £40..
http://www.bumblebeeauctions.co.uk/XcAPViewInCat.a...
Also, while trawling, I discovered what could be a source of cheap generators, the police auctions.
3 for sale in doncaster, zero bids, none of them above £40..
http://www.bumblebeeauctions.co.uk/XcAPViewInCat.a...
guindilias said:
Have you a model number for it? Electric start? Any more details? Gennys become VERY expensive during power cuts, and yet strangely once you buy a good one your mains power will never go down again...
I will check at the weekend, it's in a brick structure that until recently I didn't even know was there, let alone had a generator in it. We also have lots of paperwork so I suspect the manuals and any service history will also be there too.Unless the mice have been at it - in which case you won't have any paperwork left, and quite possibly no internal wiring either!
I take it it was a back-up genny rather than full-time power for anything? That would mean very low hours, which is a bonus.
Try and start it up with fresh petrol, a running genny can be worth a good chunk, whereas a non-runner is just scrap metal unless you can prove it will run and put out power!
I take it it was a back-up genny rather than full-time power for anything? That would mean very low hours, which is a bonus.
Try and start it up with fresh petrol, a running genny can be worth a good chunk, whereas a non-runner is just scrap metal unless you can prove it will run and put out power!
Might be with sticking a post on https://www.smokstak.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=... they are pretty knowledgeable over there on these machines (being US made).
Smokstak are a great bunch of guys - a dying breed, literally! Lots of old men who can tell you exactly how to rewire an old (or young) generator, but they are popping their clogs far too fast.
That's where I learned how to parallel 2 3.5kW Onans (or any pair of generators) to get 7kW safely, using just a light bulb. Nice fellas, and always willing to help.
That's where I learned how to parallel 2 3.5kW Onans (or any pair of generators) to get 7kW safely, using just a light bulb. Nice fellas, and always willing to help.
We have a fully automatic system which powers the whole house, not as expensive as you might think and we now live completely normally during power cuts (although half way through the nine hour one in April the neighbours did suddenly need to 'pop round'). Deffo worth every penny, installed in 2014 and the genny now has just over 70 hours on the clock.
And before you ask, not outer Hebrides but East Sussex not a million miles from Eastbourne, it will only get worse (but not for us). I wouldn't have a house without backup power now.
And before you ask, not outer Hebrides but East Sussex not a million miles from Eastbourne, it will only get worse (but not for us). I wouldn't have a house without backup power now.
Thought it was about time I revive this.
Since the last update I have worked on a few more generators, they all have been relatively easy fixes ranging from clogged carbs to the wrong spark plug being fitted so nothing exciting.
The latest project is another of the big HondaEX5500’s (pic from ebay listing).
It was described as running, but after an exchange of messages with the seller found it had no oil pressure as the oil pressure warning light was permanently on. I guessed it would be the same problem as before where the plastic gear that drives the oil pump had lost its teeth. The other problem was that it had no wheels so was difficult to move.
Strip down started
The bottom of the case was covered in oil, mud and leaves, think I scooped a good 2kg of congealed gunk out of it.
As before I had to completely dismantle it to get to the oil pump, once I got the cover off the pump it was as expected.
Unfortunately the replacement drive gear is on back order from the factory and won’t be available until the end of July.
While waiting for the parts I decided to clean and repaint some of bits I removed. Started with the end cover for the alternator.
Cooling fan
Cam cover (didn’t get a before)
Polished the domed nuts that hold the cam cover down
Also gave the alternator a coat of paint
The next part of the project is to sort some wheels, I started by assembling the case so I could check the wheels I got wouldn’t catch anywhere. As I was getting setup our pet tortoise decided it wanted to get involved.
The original axles from the generator had been cut and welded to angle section which ran from front to back.
The plan was to cut the axles from the angle section, shorten and reassemble with a wheel either side.
Section cut down and plates made to attach to generator frame
Trial fit
Next step is to get a welder, learn how to weld so I can get it all welded together.
Since the last update I have worked on a few more generators, they all have been relatively easy fixes ranging from clogged carbs to the wrong spark plug being fitted so nothing exciting.
The latest project is another of the big HondaEX5500’s (pic from ebay listing).
It was described as running, but after an exchange of messages with the seller found it had no oil pressure as the oil pressure warning light was permanently on. I guessed it would be the same problem as before where the plastic gear that drives the oil pump had lost its teeth. The other problem was that it had no wheels so was difficult to move.
Strip down started
The bottom of the case was covered in oil, mud and leaves, think I scooped a good 2kg of congealed gunk out of it.
As before I had to completely dismantle it to get to the oil pump, once I got the cover off the pump it was as expected.
Unfortunately the replacement drive gear is on back order from the factory and won’t be available until the end of July.
While waiting for the parts I decided to clean and repaint some of bits I removed. Started with the end cover for the alternator.
Cooling fan
Cam cover (didn’t get a before)
Polished the domed nuts that hold the cam cover down
Also gave the alternator a coat of paint
The next part of the project is to sort some wheels, I started by assembling the case so I could check the wheels I got wouldn’t catch anywhere. As I was getting setup our pet tortoise decided it wanted to get involved.
The original axles from the generator had been cut and welded to angle section which ran from front to back.
The plan was to cut the axles from the angle section, shorten and reassemble with a wheel either side.
Section cut down and plates made to attach to generator frame
Trial fit
Next step is to get a welder, learn how to weld so I can get it all welded together.
Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff