Generator Woes

[kenr]

My old 2 stroke 950w genny has died, feels like there is no compression. The Aldi replacement that I bought a couple of years ago is an 850w machine and isn't cutting the moutarde as my grinder keeps cutting out every 30 seconds or so.

I have about £250 to £300 out of the potential car fund to spend on one, any advice? Power to run a compressor would be helpful and if it could stretch to running the Mig too that would be a huge bonus.

Ta

Ken

[kenr]

This is the new one:

[kenr]

How does this sound for £199 plus p&p.

Manufactured to the same high performance specification as all Wolf Power generators, this superb machine is Manufactured with a 100% copper wound alternator for excellent voltage and frequency stability.

Check the performance, check the specification:

Specicifcation:
• Max Output: 2800 watts
• Continuous output: 2500 watts
• Output voltage: 240v
• Output sockets: 2 x 13amp 240v
• Engine: Wolf 6.5HP 4 stroke OHV engine
• Low oil level shut down
• Approx running time (at half power) : 10 hours
• Engine Oil grade: Titan XTR 10W / 40
• Fitted Automatic Voltage Regulator
• Low Noise: Only 68 dB(A) at 7m
• Weight: 45Kg
• Fuel Tank Capacity: 15L

[spunkymonkey]

Now now, Mac, Wolf stuff tends to be good value for money provided you don't mind getting any gremlins worked out within the guarantee period. I've never heard of anyone having parts problems within that (mainly because they tend to cover guarantees by straight replacement rather than repair )

In answer to your question, Ken, 10 amps of mains power for 200 notes is a good price - should be fairly happy running your Mig as long as you don't plan to weld seams all the way round a car without stopping In return for that, you should be prepared for a higher possibility of problems / hassle than you'd get with one of the "big name" manufacturers. Doesn't mean it will break, just that it's more likely to than a £600+ Honda powered alternative

On the electrical side, unless you overload it or run it continuously close to maximum output (unlikely), any likely failures will tend to show up well within the guarantee period and, mechanically, small 4 strokes tend to run forever whatever you do to them. They may get smoky or start rattling a bit but they're so simple they do keep going.

[kenr]

Opinions noted sirs. Honda stuff would have been the way forward but I have gone for the slightly bigger Wolf option that cost near to £250. The thing will be less stressed and if I do need extra oomph then it should fit the bill. I did bid on some second hand stuff but the prices were on the high side for what they were.

Thanks muchly.

Ken

[spunkymonkey]

That's probably a good pland, Ken - less stressed is always good!

And nice re-write there, Mac ;D On the other hand, the workshop's landlord has a (relatively) cheap, unbranded Chinese, 6.5kVA electric start diesel genny to run the big 3 phase lathe and it's been in use virtually every day (for several hours at a time) for the past year now with the only problem being the DC battery charging side has trouble keeping up with the starter battery. Which isn't really it's fault seeing as it's designed to be started, then run for a tank before it's started again rather than 4 or 5 starts a day!

[spunkymonkey]

Jan 12, 2012 16:56:17 GMT @macplaxton said:

Be it compressors, generators, etc. Decide how much you oomph you need then add some more. You can never have enough oomph. I mean if you don't want to wait all day for the kettle to boil ;D

Not all cheap stuff is bad, but it's good to be wary at that end of the market.

Totally agree on every bit of that! Even the 6.5kVA at the workshop struggles to start the lathe sometimes - it's well within the running power (6hp motor = about 4.5kW) but the extra load at start-up pushes it's limits!

As for being wary - I tend to look at it more as "be prepared to do the odd repair" but I like pulling things apart ;D

[kenr]

In that case Joe, shall I bring my 2 stroke genny to the next Essex Daf Weekender for you to play with ;o)

[spunkymonkey]

If you don't bring it I'll never speak to you again, Ken

Do you happen to have a make / model for the engine fitted to it?

[kenr]

I will certainly have a look. It was an ebay purchase, one of the most useful to date.

[Bob Scrivens]

Note made to bring relevante test equipment to Lichfield meeting Joe!!!

Bob

[spunkymonkey]

Thanks Bob - would be nice to get it sorted there if possible (something to do to keep the punters happy without pulling an actual car apart )

[kenr]

Feck! It's HUUUGE!