HI Chaps

I thought I would give you an update of where I am so far ......

I have rigged the control panel to mains via a plug (this lets me simulate power loss on the incoming grid) .....

Success I have put a load on the outgoing ac line (from the control panel) and the ac alternator happily boils a kettle

I had problems with the decompressor / fuel cut off solenoid sadly it was totally burnt out and no longer functioning but I have been able to fit a small linear actuator in the housing which actually is a much better solution as once the actuator has lifted the decompression lever it no longer requires power so the chances of it burning out out as compared to the solenoid (which needs constant power to stay up) is zero.

so pretty chuffed with it all at the moment ... the last thing I need to get working is the voltage meter which sadly is not working and I really want this old brass dial to work it would look great.

As for the numbers on the engine I have added a pic of the plate in the hope some of you guys can help me age the engine

Thanks again 

Thanks chaps,

I understand the only difference is the speed they run at , although I do find it interesting this seems to be an "official"  lister mod as they have re-stamped over the 5 with a 6 , I guess being a police gen set they would have done everything official.

I dont think the high voltage is down to the higher speed as the genset only started throwing out AC from the alternator when I moved the big handle on the front of the control panel marked up "voltage adjustment" which moved a contact up and down on a huge resistor ..... it had become dirty and was failing to make a proper contact .... so I just need to adjust things and get it correct.

I have finally got some pics so if you guys can give any advice it would be 100% welcome .

Hi all,

this is my first post so forgive me if I am writing about something that makes all you harden lister veterans eyes roll.

I have purchased a 6/1 SOM which I am struggling to find any details of or even an image of one that looks like mine.

Basically it came out of an Exeter police station ... I am guessing it is quite an early one.

The strange thing is it has two gen heads connected by a shaft , one says "generator" on it and I have put 24V into this and the belt happily drives the lister and starts it , the other head says "alternator" 220 -240v ....

My question is I cant work out how the batteries get charged the "generator head" does not seem to put out any voltage (yet happily spins when I apply voltage , is there a blocking dioide preventing the current going back??) 

also it seems like the AC alternator needs excitement to work (would I be right in those thoughts ? if so does excitement need a permanent 24v DC feed?

sorry to ask but I am totally new to a SOM but .. I have to say what an awesome piece of engineering )))