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Message
re: Small generator maintenance
Posted on 9/7/21 at 2:12 pm to Tigers2010a
Posted on 9/7/21 at 2:12 pm to Tigers2010a
If the engine is not running good, and running rough, that will cause low voltage, engine has to hit and be stable at a nice RPM before load is put on to it. Once load is put on, rpms will rise so it stabilize the voltage, if this doesn’t happen then it will make spotty/wavy voltage, and won’t power things properly, and could cause damage to what ever is plugged in.
As for to get the magnetism back this is the only method I’ve done, and it worked twice
Plug in an electric drill into the generator receptacle.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 for to get the magnetism back this is the only method I’ve done, and it worked twice
Plug in an electric drill into the generator receptacle.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
1
Posted on 9/7/21 at 2:14 pm to LsuFan_1955
Lol glad someone else knows about this, and you are right the drill method can make the wrist pop so don’t use your “happy alone time wrist”
Last time I did this, I held the drill, while someone else started the generator for me
Last time I did this, I held the drill, while someone else started the generator for me
This post was edited on 9/7/21 at 2:15 pm
Posted on 9/7/21 at 2:28 pm to Jh22586
Or be ambidextrous! 
Posted on 9/7/21 at 2:29 pm to LsuFan_1955
if it was putting out some electricity to turn the freezer light on but not enough to power compressor, could that still be the residual magnetism?
Posted on 9/7/21 at 2:30 pm to Chad504boy
Yes because it’s pushing some voltage but not enough to make everything work as it should
But again this is speculation, without putting a meter on it, checking it all out, and making sure the engine is running and performing as should
But again this is speculation, without putting a meter on it, checking it all out, and making sure the engine is running and performing as should
This post was edited on 9/7/21 at 2:32 pm
Posted on 9/7/21 at 2:38 pm to staylor226
I have a piggy bag question. I’m swapping out the initial oil from my generator. I ran it about 40 hours or so now so I’m putting new oil in it. Good news is I saw no metal shavings in the old oil so it looks like hopefully not a lot broke loose and it came in good shape from the factory. I don’t know if I used synthetic or regular oil before. Can I put whatever I want in there to refill it? If I can should I go synthetic or traditional and why?
Posted on 9/7/21 at 2:39 pm to staylor226
It’s all digital either it works it’ll or not dump gas oil replace oil, use non ethanol gas change the plug
Posted on 9/7/21 at 2:50 pm to jlovel7
For a small engine honestly it doesn’t matter synthetic is what I always use but that’s just because I work at a dealership and its more available than tradiatial and if it says use 10w-30 and you only have 5w-30 that’s fine also… the W does NOT stand for weight it stands for winter… and here in Louisiana we are NEVER going to see that low of temp to where it matters and if it says after your first oil change, change again every 100 or 200 hours to be on the safe side cut the hours back by 20 or 30 so if it says 100 change at 80
Posted on 9/7/21 at 3:20 pm to Jh22586
Thanks! On my to do list this month is getting the generator running smoothly.
I will try the electric drill process as well. I did see a number of youtube videos covering the electric drill flashing process as well as an alternative battery method. Although it seemed the processes were aimed at generators not producing electricity at all. My generator did produce electricity but I don't think it was producing at full current.
The generator was putting out voltage/amperage and running multiple fans, satellite TV and computer w/internet, water pump all fine. It did run the freezer compartments of the freezer and refrigerator but not at normal operating capacity. However, it would not run the microwave or the countertop oven and I think it should have at least operated the microwave. Once I had house power back, the refrigerators and freezer worked fine at full capacity. I need to dig out the generator book and determine exactly what it should be able to produce and run.
So it seems the generator is putting out proper voltage but not full amperage. Looks like that is the problem I have to solve.
I will try the electric drill process as well. I did see a number of youtube videos covering the electric drill flashing process as well as an alternative battery method. Although it seemed the processes were aimed at generators not producing electricity at all. My generator did produce electricity but I don't think it was producing at full current.
The generator was putting out voltage/amperage and running multiple fans, satellite TV and computer w/internet, water pump all fine. It did run the freezer compartments of the freezer and refrigerator but not at normal operating capacity. However, it would not run the microwave or the countertop oven and I think it should have at least operated the microwave. Once I had house power back, the refrigerators and freezer worked fine at full capacity. I need to dig out the generator book and determine exactly what it should be able to produce and run.
So it seems the generator is putting out proper voltage but not full amperage. Looks like that is the problem I have to solve.
This post was edited on 9/7/21 at 3:24 pm
Posted on 9/7/21 at 3:38 pm to Tigers2010a
Voltage but no amps indicates an open circuit. But since you are getting some just not all, than that it might indicate a connection that is "almost open", i.e., a very high resistance connection somewhere on the circuit.
Posted on 9/7/21 at 3:38 pm to jlovel7
How many hours required before changing oil? My old Yamaha didn't use a drop of oil. And I changed the oil a couple years back. I run every couple months for 20 minutes just to make sure it is running OK. And I probably put 50-60 hours on it this last week. I still haven't found my manual but it seems that is not a lot of run time to require an oil change.
Posted on 9/7/21 at 3:43 pm to Jh22586
quote:
Voltage but no amps indicates an open circuit. But since you are getting some just not all, than that it might indicate a connection that is "almost open", i.e., a very high resistance connection somewhere on the circuit.
Sounds like I will need to do my homework. It is at least 16 years old. I wouldn't be surprised to see some components degrading.
Posted on 9/7/21 at 3:53 pm to Tigers2010a
quote:
How many hours required before changing oil? My old Yamaha didn't use a drop of oil. And I changed the oil a couple years back. I run every couple months for 20 minutes just to make sure it is running OK. And I probably put 50-60 hours on it this last week. I still haven't found my manual but it seems that is not a lot of run time to require an oil change.
It said it needs a much shorter oil change simply after an initial break in. Then after that it can go a while without an oil change.
Posted on 9/7/21 at 4:45 pm to Tigers2010a
quote:
How many hours required before changing oil?
It depends some say 100hrs some say 150 some maybe 200hrs… if your uncertain than best is every 80-90 hrs, because you gotta remember most just normal generators ( not the whole home NG generators) but your normal portable generators don’t have a oil filter
Posted on 9/7/21 at 7:33 pm to TigersSEC2010
Posted on 9/8/21 at 9:01 am to Jh22586
Good point on the lack of oil filter. Didn't think of that. Thanks for all the advice!
Posted on 9/8/21 at 9:08 am to LsuFan_1955
quote:
The glove method: Take a 120 volt drill and plug into the running generator. Pull the trigger full and then turn the chuck with your free hand. This will cause the drill motor to induce a magnetic field and re-excite your generator coil. When it happens the drill will come to life and might sprain your wrist(s).
The cut off extension cord method just requires you plug the cord into a 120 volt outlet on the generator. Generator should be running, but sometimes this works without starting it first. Touch a 9 volt dc battery to the stripped wires of the extension cord, polarity doesn't matter.
Either method will work. Good luck, and be strong if you use the drill method.
Thanks gonna try one of these.
My Coleman power mate quit producing electricity. YouTube mechanics were talking it apart and flashing it. Looked like a pain.
Subaru motor on it runs like a dream. Bought before Katrina and it was flawless until this week.
Posted on 9/8/21 at 1:14 pm to Meauxjeaux
BTW, found the manual for my EF4600DE Yamaha generator. It states change oil every 6 months or 100 hours running time. So needs a change.
Also it produces 3500 watts. Microwaves usually use 1000 watts but not sure if there is a larger watt requirement to start it off. Generator probably should have run the microwave.
Also it produces 3500 watts. Microwaves usually use 1000 watts but not sure if there is a larger watt requirement to start it off. Generator probably should have run the microwave.
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