Lister Engine Forum

How to / DIY => Generators => Topic started by: guest23837 on August 10, 2019, 02:38:33 PM

Title: Another project idea
Post by: guest23837 on August 10, 2019, 02:38:33 PM
I was thinking this little generator alternator would be useful on the SL1? What do you guys think?

https://www.donedeal.ie/tools-for-sale/generator/22186657
Title: Re: Another project idea
Post by: broncodriver99 on August 10, 2019, 04:59:11 PM
I have that exact generator head that I salvaged from a scrap E1500. I was going to pair it with a Kirloskar engine that I picked up a while back but have since picked up an LD1 that I am going to use instead. I am shooting for the 1200- 1500 RPM range on the LD1 which should give me right at the max 1.5 KW that head can produce.
Title: Re: Another project idea
Post by: guest23837 on August 10, 2019, 05:54:14 PM
My first thought was to buy and repair it. I checked out the prices of the parts that are likely to have failed however it has points that seem to be only available in the USA for $30 ish plus postage coil, carburettor etc are similarly very expensive. I think the guy will take a bit less maybe €40 which is cheap for a 2 bearing alternator and the SL1 I need to assemble could make 1.5 KW at 1200 rpm I reckon. How far along is your project broncodriver99? Are you a hoarder/collector like the most of the members?
Title: Re: Another project idea
Post by: broncodriver99 on August 10, 2019, 08:38:43 PM
I looked at availability of the repair parts as well. Best I can tell there is one place in Texas that still has availability other than the odd part here and there that pops up on Ebay. They want big money for their parts so I scrapped the idea of repairing it and just removed the generator head and control panel. I have about $50 invested.

I am a bit of a hoarder like most but this project has a little progress. Summer work has gotten in the way as I work 6-6.5 days a week from May-September. I had already torn down the Kirloskar engine but hit a road block when trying to remove the governor assy. I need to finish fabricating a custom tool to get it off. Then I ran across the LD1 which is what I really wanted to use from the beginning. I have not torn into that engine yet. I may just do an inspection and see if it is a runner first. I have the mounting base designed and have found an adjustable motor base that can easily be modified to work with that head as it is very close to a NEMA motor pattern. Hopefully I will get back to it once Fall arrives.

I know and LD1 produces about 2.4 HP @ 1200 RPM, I would imagine and SL1 would be a little more. No harm in having more HP available though. My understanding of the old Honda generator heads is that they were fairly conservatively rated. I imagine they could pull 1.5-2 Kw with no issues.
Title: Re: Another project idea
Post by: guest23837 on August 11, 2019, 08:19:11 AM
Are those Honda generator heads easy to repair if they have problems? My electrical skills are pretty limited.
I recently got 3 GX200 Chinese clones not the worst engines in fairness. So far 2 have fired up and ran with minimal work. Coils were loose and stuck to the magnets on the flywheels. They were for pressure washers so easy to add a pulley if needed. They were also free as was a little 3200 watt generator I got that needed a plug and fuel pipe.  My SL1 is in many pieces ATM but I think it would be the most economical for my low power needs.
I also got a Geko 5.6kw generator recently it has a Honda GX390 engine makes plenty of power and uses over 3 litres of petrol an hour!
The washer and dryer also live in the shed wife is moaning that there's an obstacle course to reach them so if anyone would swap a washboard for a clone engine let me know!
Title: Re: Another project idea
Post by: broncodriver99 on August 11, 2019, 04:05:30 PM
I have dug around in the gen head I have and they look pretty simple. They are a brush type head. Mine needs the slip rings cleaned up and the brushes bedded in. I will likely try and track down a spare set or two of brushes. I am also thinking I will need to flash the windings as it has been sitting for at least 20 years. There are a couple of rectifiers in the gen head I am assuming for the DC "battery charging" winding. There is an AVR and a capacitor in the control box and from what I can tell looking at the diagram many of the clone generator AVRs will work in it's place. There is a generic replacement available on ebay for ~$30. Genuine replacement parts are available from the same source as the engine parts for the same ridiculous prices. I think the stator is ~$1300.00  :o

As long as your stator and rotor are good it appears there isn't much that can't be fixed for $30-40. I plan to strip and clean the one I have and replace the bearings as well as put on a nice coat of paint.
Title: Re: Another project idea
Post by: mikenash on August 11, 2019, 07:09:06 PM

The washer and dryer also live in the shed wife is moaning that there's an obstacle course to reach them so if anyone would swap a washboard for a clone engine let me know!

A brave man, that John
Title: Re: Another project idea
Post by: guest23837 on August 12, 2019, 12:32:25 PM
Hi Mike
Luckily she thinks forums are all populated by middle aged, right wing hoarders she will never know.
Paul