BSA Lookalike Gennies

I saw the corner of one sticking out of Martin's van pic. I have an original & complete WD one, plus an interesting hybrid, a genny but with carb & top tank. It is SO much lighter! A few months ago I picked up a 240V AC one - it starts & goes, but I'm uncertain about the output as yet. I didn't know they did a 110volt one as well.

As a matter of interest, the reason why there are so many of these licensed-built Johnston Iron Horse derivatives about in the UK is because the Post Office based their entire small generating capacity upon them for a while after the war. They used Tiny Tim's as well, but not in such numbers.

Regards,

Kim

It's got an American 2-pin receptacle, so I am 'assuming' 110V. A longer look may prove me wrong...

Peter

-- Peter & Rita Forbes Email: snipped-for-privacy@easynet.co.uk

complete WD one, plus an interesting hybrid, a genny

240V AC one - it starts & goes, but I'm uncertain

licensed-built Johnston Iron Horse derivatives about in the UK

them for a while after the war. They used Tiny Tim's

Hi Kim, As an apprentice PO Engineer in 1957 the generator we used was the Tiny Tim!

Quite a few variants:-

I saw the corner of one sticking out of Martin's van pic. I have an

I see the 230 volt variant isn't listed. I am now of course riven with self-doubt & will report back!

Regards,

Kim.

230V it is indeed.

The receptacle is a two-prong USA type, but male, which makes me wonder if it is for a battery connection?

Peter

-- Peter & Rita Forbes Email: snipped-for-privacy@easynet.co.uk

Kim, Peter, Do your gen sets have any ID - Johnson, OMC, BSA etc?

NHH

Haven't looked closely at the new pair, been too busy sorting new central heating out, but will take some pictures today and have a closer look.

Peter

-- Peter & Rita Forbes Email: snipped-for-privacy@easynet.co.uk

Initially we thought that these would be BSA generators like we already have (5 of them!) but after finding a label on the side, we can advise as follows:

"Pincor BD-12A" "Power Unit DC/AC 250Watts No1 (American) 1A" "Pincor Specification SS2856 1942"

These are indeed dual-voltage 240V AC and 12V battery starting/charging.

A previous thread on Smokstak here:

is another owner that found one of these units, but no responses at that time.

One of our two is complete, the other is missing some parts. The unusual feature of these is the additional external flywheel which is bolted to the existing cooling fan/flywheel.

I'll get some pictures up as soon as I can.

Peter Peter

-- Peter A Forbes Prepair Ltd, Rushden, UK snipped-for-privacy@prepair.co.uk

Pictures either here:

or here:

Peter

-- Peter A Forbes Prepair Ltd, Rushden, UK snipped-for-privacy@prepair.co.uk

Interesting, looks like Pioneer Gen-E-Motor/Pincor were another wartime builder of these Johnson originated sets. I have also seen 1950's ads in ME and the like for Tiny Tim type sets sold under the Pioneer 'Blue Diamond' brand - probably war surplus.

NHH

Started a quick tidy up this morning, before I had to go out.

The one with the missing head had crankcase and fuel tank base full of water, so I drained them out.

Flywheel unscrewed OK, there is movement in the engine, but WD40 takes a bit of time to get around.

Starting button is direct on the leads, not a relay as in the BSA units. There is also a load solenoid wich works on the throttle if I am interpreting it correctly, pulling down on the throttle when extra load is applied.

Peter Peter

-- Peter A Forbes Prepair Ltd, Rushden, UK snipped-for-privacy@prepair.co.uk

I wondered where all the water came from in my van, I tried to clean the inside the other day but the dirt etc was frozen to the wooden floor.

My Tarpen hade a load relay, if you increased the load on the genny the relay opened the carb more.