Got an old generator any advice?

[Techrat]

An old generator was given to me and I can probably figure it out but I thought maybe there will be something I need to take into account that's not obvious as I've never used one. It is very small capacity, I know that I will only be able to run some lights or something off it. Looks pretty much the same as this (same model number) http://global.yamaha-motor.com/showroom/cp/collection/generator_et300/. It is also apparently very old though it looks in quite good condition from the outside, is it maybe a good idea to get it serviced before using?

It is single phase, though I'm not really sure what that means tbh, can I just run any appliance off it? (Obviously as long as it's not going to overload it.) Obviously it doesn't have AVR, does that really matter? Can I still safely charge some phones or a laptop, power a tv or something like that off it?

It says "AC Protector" just above a little button with "Push reset" under it, I presume that is the overload protection and I press that button to turn the power back on? Also the other button on the front says "ENG SW" under it, I thought this was to shut the engine off or something? As it shows a frequency of both 50 and 60, is there some way to control it, or any reason to do so anyway?

Specs on the side:

50hz - 200va
60Hz - 250va
220v
Single Phase

 

[TEXTILE GUY]

I am guessing its a two stroke genny. May need to empty the tank, and check the condensate bowl or filter on such a genny. Then fill her up with unleaded and 2 stroke 50.1 ratio.
Pull the plug, check that its sparking - set the gap 0.7 or 0.8mm I guess.
If you really want to get technical, pull the carb and check the jets are clean.

Most house gennys are single phase. You need 50Hz.

I guess the reset is overload protection, and engine switch (and fuel) need to be on for it to start,

200 va will give you 180 - 200 watts.

Get her started and try a lamp.

 

[Segg]

I am guessing its a two stroke genny. May need to empty the tank, and check the condensate bowl or filter on such a genny. Then fill her up with unleaded and 2 stroke 50.1 ratio.
Pull the plug, check that its sparking - set the gap 0.7 or 0.8mm I guess.
If you really want to get technical, pull the carb and check the jets are clean.

Most house gennys are single phase. You need 50Hz.

I guess the reset is overload protection, and engine switch (and fuel) need to be on for it to start,

200 va will give you 180 - 200 watts.

Get her started and try a lamp.

+1 Clean the plug, check its gap (a business card will do if you don't have the tool)

However, being a 2 stroke its carb is probably gummed up, strip it (carefully) let it soak in unmixed petrol overnight (or spray it down with carb cleaner) make sure the jets aren't clogged, then re-assemble

I wouldn't run anything too hectic off this, considering its a very small capacity machine.


Textile Guy, can you please explain how one would go about converting VA into Watts and Vice Versa, for some reason I can't get my head totally around the unit

 

[bruce_the_loon]

Segg. VA to Watts is both extremely simple and irritatingly complex. Watts = VA * PF. PF is the power factor and is a measurement of the offset between the voltage peak and the current peak on the AC sine wave. You rate wire size and circuit breakers for the VA value and the metered amount of power and the heating of the devices by the Watts value.

Pure resistive loads like kettles, toasters, incandescent lights etc draw their peak current at the peak of the sine wave. Their power factor is 1 and if you have only a resistive load, then Watts = VA.

Electric motors are inductive loads. Because they spin and have magnetic fields inducing other electric currents, their peak current draw happens away from the peak of the sine voltage. Power factor numbers on motors without power factor correction can be as low as 0.3. Fluorescent lights, including CFLs, can range from 0.5 upwards, and can be up near 0.95 if power factor correction (PFC) is used. The incandescent replacement CFLs often don't have PFC.

Computer switch mode power supplies fall somewhere in the middle. Some supplies and light ballasts are power factor corrected and have PF of 0.98 to 1, others (older or cheap ones) do not have PFC and have a PF of 0.55 to 0.75. You have to check the device. E.g my Corsair CX750 has a PF of 0.99 because it has Active PFC.

One source, given below, suggests that a modern house with modern appliances will have a PF of around 0.90. To be properly accurate, you'll have to investigate each non-resistive appliance and figure out the PF for that appliance, then work out the VA from the Watts for the appliance and add it all up.

If you want to break your mind reading more on it, http://www.power-solutions.com/watts-va, http://michaelbluejay.com/electricity/powerfactor.html, http://www.instructables.com/answers/CFL-power-factor-and-how-to-correct/ and many more on Google.

 

[Techrat]

+1 Clean the plug, check its gap (a business card will do if you don't have the tool)

However, being a 2 stroke its carb is probably gummed up, strip it (carefully) let it soak in unmixed petrol overnight (or spray it down with carb cleaner) make sure the jets aren't clogged, then re-assemble

I wouldn't run anything too hectic off this, considering its a very small capacity machine.


Textile Guy, can you please explain how one would go about converting VA into Watts and Vice Versa, for some reason I can't get my head totally around the unit

I don't really know much about engines, wouldn't know how to take out the carb or what jets are. My brother works on his bike a bit so maybe he can help, how badly can I screw it up though? Would there be a way I can actually set the frequency, because I can't really see a switch or anything?

 

[Segg]

I don't really know much about engines, wouldn't know how to take out the carb or what jets are. My brother works on his bike a bit so maybe he can help, how badly can I screw it up though? Would there be a way I can actually set the frequency, because I can't really see a switch or anything?

Judging by its low capacity it's probably runs at a constant speed, and the frequency lowers as more load is experienced as the motor slows

If you've ever played with mechano you can strip down a carb, it's like Lego for grown ups, just make sure you have the correct tools, and don't over tighten the jets when you reinstall them, a small socket set and a small flat screw driver should be enough

Start by draining it, turn it over and take of the bowl, carefully remove the pin that holds the float in place, then remove the float and the little plunger it holds, put them both in some petrol or carb cleaner

Then carefully remove the little brass things that have a slot for a screw driver or head for a socket. Put them in your cleaner

Clean out the rest of the carb by squirting some cleaner into the areas you exposed, then empty it out

Use a pin to make sure all the holes are clear in the little brass things (the jets) , then blow through them to ensure it is indeed clear (it'll be a little tough, but you'll be able to hold a pretty constant pressure)

Then reassemble the carb in the opposite order you stripped it

Being a 2 stroke make sure there is no raw petrol or cleaner left in the carb before you run the engine, a little residual won't be a problem

That's a sort of basic explanation on how to strip a simple carb, if you don't feel comfortable doing this, take it to your brother

 

[Techrat]

Ok I'll give cleaning it a go.

Will it be safe to run things like a TV, laptop and maybe a computer off this? (Provided they are not too much wattage of course.)

Would it be possible and worth it to replace the power generating parts of this generator with higher output ones, like salvaging them off another gen with a broken motor or something?

 

[Segg]

Ok I'll give cleaning it a go.

Will it be safe to run things like a TV, laptop and maybe a computer off this? (Provided they are not too much wattage of course.)

Would it be possible and worth it to replace the power generating parts of this generator with higher output ones, like salvaging them off another gen with a broken motor or something?

I wouldn't, it's output is probably going to vary big time, unfortunately you'd need to replace the engine and motor and fit a regulator in order to increase its capacity, so basically you'd need a new machine