On Dec 19, 11:07*pm, Erma1ina wrote:
JIMMIE wrote:

On Dec 19, 6:25 pm, ransley wrote:
On Dec 19, 2:35 pm, Jim Elbrecht wrote:

Most folks I know who have emergency generators run them once a month
or so.

I just got one [lost power for a week last week] and note that the
manual says once a *week*. *[Briggs and Stratton 5500 watt Storm
Responder]

That seems like a CYA suggestion. * *I run Stabil in my gas and will
probably go for once a month under load. * *What is a good load? * An
electric space heater that draws a constant 1500watts or so? * *Power
tools that draw a surge?

I'm also going to build a little shed/doghouse for this thing. * *Has
anyone seem some good ideas for a 4x5 structure that blends into the
landscape? *[I've been thinking of a scaled down chalet- a gingerbread
house- or a fake boulder as possibilities.]

Thanks
Jim

A load has to be put on the generator for a few minutes every 6
months, even just 100 w to keep the generator magnitised

I have never heard of having to magnetize a generator before except
for old automotive generators. Where can you find info on doing this.
This was called polarizing them. On the auto generators I think just
flashed the field by momentarily
connecting a wire from the battery to the field terminal on the
regulator.

Jimmie

Try this:

http://www.perr.com/tip16.html

Field Flashing of Portable Generators

This tip comes from the Briggs & Stratton Customer Education Department.
As an alternative to flashing a rotor winding with a battery applied to
the brushes, an electric drill may be used. Follow these steps to flash
the generator:

Plug the electric drill into the generator receptacle. (Cordless drills
do not work)
If the drill is reversible, move the direction switch to the forward
position.
Start the generator
While depressing the trigger on the drill, spin the drill chuck in
reverse direction. This will excite the field and the generator will now
produce electricity. If spinning the chuck one direction does not work,
try spinning the chuck in the other direction as you may have the
reverse switch positioned backwards.
Use caution not to get your hand or other materials caught in the chuck.
As soon as the field is excited, the generator will produce power and
the drill will turn on.

The reason this works is because the electric motor in the drill will
act as a small generator when spun backwards. The magnets in the drill's
motor induce a voltage into the motor windings, which is fed back
through the trigger, cord and into the generators receptacle. From there
it goes into the power winding of the stator. The voltage going through
the power winding creates a magnetic field, which is intensified due to
the iron core of the stator laminations. The rotor intersects this
magnetic field as it is spun past the power winding, thus inducing a
voltage in the rotor winding. Once current flow is present in the rotor
winding the rotor has been flashed.

If flashing the field does not make the generator work, you may have
additional problems, besides a lack of magnetism in the rotor. Further
testing will be needed. Hopefully, this will give a simple way to field
flash your generator if needed - Bruce Perrault- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Interesting, so I can attach a big windmill on my drill and make
power? With the electronic speed control it may do nothing?