ot generator

ericlb · Sep 22, 2017

has anybody got a older homelite generator with a 8 hp briggs engine? im working on one for friend, i have it running, after a new coil and carb overhaul, but i need to know how to set the engine controls, it has a thumb wheel down below the carb on a plate and it doesnt seem to do much but kill the engine,, doesnt need it, as it has a kill switch installed on the front housing all the model numbers ect have been removed from this when he got it, by the engine serial its around a 1980 the engine seems to have a very high constant speed as is

Steve@Advance · Sep 22, 2017

You'll need to find the governor linkage and spring.

Make sure the throttle plate is free to move in the carb.

The speed on a generator is very critical. There should be a spring attached to a fixed point. It can be adjusted, probably by bending the tab, but not accessible to the operator.

The speed will be around 3600 RPM, but a Hz meter is best to get it exactly at 60 cycle.

Russ from MN · Sep 22, 2017

Not to highjack the tread, but I aquired an old Powercraft 1500 a few years ago,that was a basket case. I got it running fine and use it occasionally, but to set the governor I used a voltmeter, set it at 120 v. How close is that? I guess I have only used it for small brush type power tools, so I don't think it matters too much.

Billy Shafer · Sep 22, 2017

On most of the old units 120 volts will put you. At 61/63 hertz.

55 50 Ron · Sep 22, 2017

I'm interested in hearing the theory of how you relate RPM to Volts to Hertz. RPM relates to Hertz, but how do you consider the volts relationship? Thanks

Billy Shafer · Sep 22, 2017

Good question.Without getting into the boring technical stuff. The speed of the engine controls the speed of the rotor. The faster the rotor turns,the faster it breaks stator fields. Which creates voltage.Which also causes the hertz. A four pole rotor will break the fields at 1800 rpm which is 60 hertz. A two pole rotor breaks the fields at 3600 rpm which is 60 hertz. Allot of generators didn't use voltage regulators. The voltage was set by the speed. Which is why it is never a good idea to rev up an engine by hand. Saw a guy do that one time with a Onan CCK. Reved it up and held it open. Until smoke started coming out of his RV. Was a very costly lesson for him

wilson ind · Sep 22, 2017

I just use a plug in electric clock with a second hand. Let it run for 10 min compared to another clock. When time is correct its running at 60 hertz.

ot generator

ericlb

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Steve@Advance

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Russ from MN

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Billy Shafer

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55 50 Ron

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Billy Shafer

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wilson ind

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