If you could have a look at this article and give me your opinion before I
take an action that could turn out to be a really bad thing.

Ray-

Thanks for posting a link to the generator article. I printed it out, and will
add it to my generator folder.

The article has a couple of good ideas. If you do as it says, you can probably
resuscitate your generator. I would go for using household power, rather than
scrounging up a second generator.

There were a couple of comments that were not clear to me. He indicated that
the three bulbs would start flashing. Actually, flashing is the indication
that you have succeeded in polarizing your generator, and is the result of a
slight difference in frequency between your generator and the other source of
voltage. What he should have said, is that you unplug the connection between
the two voltages between flashes, when the bulbs are dark. That is the point
when both voltages are identical and in-phase, and zero current is flowing.

If you are connecting between the 120 VAC generator outlet and your household
120 VAC outlet, two series-connected 60 watt bulbs would probably be adequate.
When the generator is NOT working, the voltage will be about 120 VAC across the
bulbs. Then when the generator starts to work, maximum voltage would be 240
VAC across the bulbs, at the point where the two voltages are out of phase.

Whatever you do, be VERY CAREFUL. I would probably add a double-pole switch at
the plug to be disconnected, to disconnect power "neatly" instead of just
pulling a plug that has dangerous voltage on its exposed terminals.

Fred