Generator rectification help please

[JimmyLJ71]

I have a small two stroke generator that i wan't to use for my truck and caravan.

I understand that ordinary generators don't give out perfect voltage and therefore can damage some circuits/appliances, is this true?

Will it damage my battery/charger on my caravan?

If so can i get some kind of rectifier?

 

[J66P]

some generators are DC and AC current appliances dont like it, not sure if this is the answer to your question or not ?

 

[uHu]

afaik, generators are better than cheap inverters in that respect.
Anyhow, as long as it is rated 220 to 240V AC, I don't think it would kill a batterycharger, as they are normally rugged. And, a charger IS a rectifier.

 

[chriscolleman]

Some electronic devise chargers require a perfect AC sinewave: chargers for computers, chargers for cell phones, TV power transformators, etc..

The cheaper your generator, the more "synthetic" the AC sinewave it creates. It produces a more blocked sinewave.
In most cases it won't harm your sensitive devise, it will simply not charge or function properly.

These "more economical" generators can be used for more crude electrics as old fashioned lightbulbs, electric power drills, electric saws, electric stoves, etc etc.

There should be a DC power outlet on your generator, this can be used to charge the batteries.
Then with a 12V DC to 230 AC 50 Hz perfect sinewave inverter you run sensitive electronics.

 

[JimmyLJ71]

Many thanks for the advice.

Unfortunately my generator is so cheap and nasty it doesn't even have a 12v supply .

I have tried in the past connecting a battery charger to it but it seemed to get a little bit hot and i'm not sure it was actually doing anything, also to charge the battery meant no power in the van, catch 22

Think the answer is either take the risk and use my cheap genny, or save up and get a decent one.

 

[JimmyLJ71]

The saga continues!!
I decided i need to buy the right bit of kit.

I may have had a result, i found a local guy on ebay selling a Berlan generator, couldn't find alot about them other than they are german, i ummed and arred then found someone else selling a sealey generator that looks exactly the same but red, found the Sealey forsale on Amazon for £457
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Jack-Sealey-Gen ... _rhf_p_t_1

checked out the specs seems the thing for me.

So i put a bid on the Berlan, got it for £150

Got it home it starts fine, no smoke, a little lumpy so i am going to give it a good service and see how we go.

 

[chriscolleman]

if you run into any problems just post them.
Got quite a bit of experience with these small 4- strokes.

 

[JimmyLJ71]

I could do with a bit of help please.

I have down loaded a manual from sealey, no oil spec stated, it just says use the recommended oil, it states the spark plug gap, but not the spark plug type/model, i think while i am at it i may change the HT lead.

Where would a get a new plug from, a lawn mower specialist?

I have been using it in the garden this morning to run my strimmer/hedge trimmer just to give it some use, supplies the power ok, just seems to be a bit lumpy compared to my little two stroke.

Blimey its light though, probably half the weight of the two stroke.

 

[chriscolleman]

Running rough, then clean the carb bowl and use a single strand of a wire brush to clean the main jet. Be carefull the wire brush strand doesn't brake off in the very small bore.
New carb in that case, or very expensive carb parts.
If you don't like messing about with carb internals, then run 5 liters of gas mixed with 300 cc of gas injection cleaner.

I always use ??W-30 full synth in these engines.
Don't be concerned about the first number, it's the second one that counts.

Your local lawnmower powerproducts guy should have the correct plug.
Not the local car parts dealer, these places don't often carry the correct heat rating for the air cooled engines.

If after some good gas, oil, spark and airfilter change it still runs rough. Then go for valve gap adjustments and HT leads.

Start with the basics first.

 

[JimmyLJ71]

Not had a proper check, but i have opened up the case, it is absolutely spotless inside, all shiney.

Checked the air filter, like new, in fact the hole thing looks like new, the guy did say he had hardly used it since he got it, think i am going to syphon out the old fuel and put in new, it may have been in there for years, fuel deteriorates doesn't it?

 

[chriscolleman]

With the addition of bio fuels the shelf life we use is 6 months for anything you buy at the local pump.

There are fuel stabilisers on the market, but don't expect wonders. You're stabilising something that goes off

Best kind of fuel for long term "sitting there" is Aviation fuel, known as avgas.
You can buy this stuff at your local STIHL dealer, they know it as MOTOPLUS.

Actually the modern aircooled engine has a lot in common with a good old non turbo aircooled aircraft engine.