Generators

Post by **airhead** » 23 Aug 2006, 22:56

I got a real bargain at a show 2 months ago. I bought a briggs and stratton generator from the 1970s for €35. It was running very poor and the generator head wasnt generating. I spend 3 days and the grand total of €40 on parts to rebuild the engine and replace the broken brush in the generator. Runs perfectly now and puts out a rather nice 1500watts of juice. Its bloody noisy though so Im going to get a super quiet exhaust for it to quiet it down. Once I do that though, I reckon it will be a handy thing to have for when portable electricity is required!

Another tip from Ross's bargain basement!

Post by **"WEAZLECHIN"** » 24 Aug 2006, 06:33

mine isnt real quiet but my mate is making me a box out of thin galvanised sheet, with fibre glass loft insulation on the inside held in by mesh, like the silencers they use in ductwork. it just fits over the genny while its running(with a hole either side for the inlet and exhaust), anyway 40 euro for a briggs & stratton, giveaway !!

Post by **ghost123uk** » 24 Aug 2006, 08:50

Just a bit of a blog now, hope ya don't mind.

Me and the other half enjoy going to Steam Rallies and the like.

You may heve seen those guys showing their vintage "stationary engines", Lister, Petter etc.

We determined that if you are an exhibitor at these shows you get in for nowt, and usually being 2 day events this sounded a good idea in the camper.

So I am looking at prices of the smaller vintage "stationary engines".
I just missed out on a 1933 Lister that was in full running AND showing condition that went for £62 on eBay.

For many years I have thought that one of these, either a Diesel, or a Petrol running on LPG, would be a viable alternative source of electricity. (1kW of electricity needs an engine of about 1.5 HP with a modern generator)

Plus they are fun to own and tinker with and gets you into Steam Rallies and Country Shows etc free !!

I once restored a lovely 1939 Kelvin Norton Diesel Narrow Boat engine for a friend

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Re silencing - don't forget that the air intake makes nearly as much noise as the exhaust, so a big filter with sound insulation on it, pipe lagging and an input difuser make a useful difference. ( As does mounting the motor on big soft rubber bushes as "feet" btw )

Post by **airhead** » 24 Aug 2006, 10:37

I love those old stationary engines. Thats the main reason I got the generator. I wanted to see if my abilities were enough to allow me to rebuild it and get it fully working. And for €35 if it all went horribly wrong I wouldnt be too out of pocket. SO I think Ill try and get a small lister engine next!