1. Home
  2. ⚙ Stationary Engines - UK
  3. Aquired old generator - have little clue :-)

Aquired old generator - have little clue :-)

I have just been given a Stamford 5KVA generator of I presume 1970's vintage. Apparently it's history suggests it only ever had about an hours duty in it's life. It's powered by an 8HP Briggs and Stratton engine - this bit I feel confident about, I can fix (bodge) engines, not that it looks like it will need much TLC, but I have no real clue about generators.

I can get good and friendly help from an electrical engineer but he's rather busy at the mo and before I go and start pestering I'd like to get some basic grounding in the field.

So anyone know of any vintage generator clubs/fansites/text books WHY?

Cheers all

Sam

Reply to
Sam
Loading thread data ...

Reply to
CHARLES HAMILTON

If it's been dry stored, it may well just work. Me, I'd try that first!

B&S motors of this era have a foible: the points are operated by a little fibre pin that is shoved by the cam attached to the flywheel. When they are left to stand for a while, this clags up in its aluminium housing and although it may rise and open the points, there it will invariably stay! It is rather fragile, so careful how you get it out. Usually, a needle file wrapped in petrol soaked cloth will clean the hole out without drama.

You will clean the points with a bit of 400 grit (or finer) wet & dry, won't you? Meths to clean off any oily residue and then a bit of card to remove fluff & it will probably produce a spark you can both see and here.

Fresh petrol in the tank & away it will probably go! Noisy, rough & crude brutes that they are, it should produce electricity without problems.

Regards,

Kim Siddorn

Reply to
Kim Siddorn

PolyTech Forum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.