"Richard W." wrote in message
. ..
"Ulysses" wrote in message
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"Richard W." wrote in message
. ..
wrote in message
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On Wed, 15 Jul 2009 17:07:22 -0400, "vaughn"
wrote:
"Ulysses" wrote in message
...
Wow, thanks very much for the specific information. I'm on craig's
list
now
and they seem to start out at about $400.
FYI, my home standby generator is a 70's- era Onan 4CCK that once
was
a
standby generator for a traffic signal. They are pretty simple to
work
on,
parts and information are still generally available, and the gang at
the
Onan board at Smokstak.com (including Bruce) gives amazing support.
Vaughn
I'm not up on the Onan model numbers, but if anyone is talking about
the old opposed-twin flat heads for a backup generator, I wouldn't
think those would be a great choice except for low-use applications.
My neighbor was fond of them because he could get them for peanuts,
which was a good thing because he seemed to have gone through quite a
few. They didn't seem especially reliable, quiet, or fuel efficient.
I'd think that the fuel inefficiency alone of flat-heads makes them
uneconomical for extended use. I'm not even sure that the 1800 RPM is
any great advantage. Better 3600 RPM engines last a long time if
properly cared for, and one can throttle most engines down to a lower
speed if planned for.
It seems like there are lots of decent small engines available these
days, some so cheap that even the most budget-conscious could afford
to have a complete spare on hand.
9hp, $150
http://www.surpluscenter.com/item.as...atname=engines
13hp, $180
http://www.surpluscenter.com/item.as...atname=engines
Wayne
Neither of those engines will fit on a generator. You need an engine
with
a
tapered shaft to replace the engine on a generator. Unless you have a
belt
driven generator head. See ebay sale #110406409961 and look at the
shaft.
Richard W.
A couple of years ago I was looking for a replacement generator engine.
The
Honda GX270 was going for just under $700. A comparable Chinese engine
was
selling for around $250, but I couldn't find any with a tapered shaft.
It
sure seems like there is a market for a replacment generator engine that
a
"standard" generator head would bolt right onto. Many times I've
considered
replacing my "use only as a last resort" Tecumseh-powered generator with
an
OHV engine but since then I've actually managed to get it running well.
I
replaced the fixed idle mixture jet with an adjustable screw and
disconnected the crankcase breather and attached a primer tube and now
it
starts with one pull! It's like a miracle. I've actually been using it
on
a daily basis lately to run my well pump. I must give them credit for
one
thing though: on a really cold day it would really warm you up yanking
on
that rope trying to get it to start. I'd sometimes be so hot I'd have
to
take my shirt off when it was 20 degrees.
Often time you have to special order an engine with the taper shaft
because
they are a specialty item that doesn't move very fast. There are so new
engines on Ebay under generator parts. I have seen several 10 HP Tecumseh
engines there. They also have a 6 HP OHV that I have been wanting to get
before they are gone forever.
Richard W.
I have one of the Harbor Freight 6.5 HP OHV engines that are currently
selling for $110. I got mine for $99 about a year ago. It's a straight
3/4" keyed shaft so it's good for belt-drive etc. The only problem I've had
is they have some kind of fuel vapor device on it that gets clogged and has
to be blown out or the engine will die from no air. I rigged mine with an
external gas tank so no more problem. In any case I think it's a good
engine and would rather have it than my Honda GC135.