Club 80-90 Forums

Just been Googling to try and find a "funny shaped plug" for the 240v output on the back of my Zig CF9 (mains output to the fridge)...

And came across this pic... someone has replaced the original socket on the back of their Zig with a MALE "kettle lead" socket... deadly!

Others worry me - those with poor eyesight!

Zoom in on it - it is female, the clue is it has sockets in there not prongs.

So it bloody well is!! Really looked like it had pins when I first looked at it Think I'll have to go Specsavers

I shall stop ranting about things and continue my search for a plug lol

Most folks won't remember the very frequent power cuts in the mid 70's - I do

I had a 240 volt (well 220 actually) alternator. It was driven by a big 12 volt motor. I powered that with a lorry battery.

So, a power cut, switch off the main (isolating) switch on the meter. Connect the above generator to a convenient standard 13 Amp wall socket (in the kitchen) and we had power for that circuit = TV, lamps, fish tank, etc.

To make the job easy, I fitted a standard 13 Amp plug to the output lead of the genny - To be fair, I was always VERY careful when using it like that !!

Other locals often knocked on the door wanting to know how come we had power when the rest of the street was off ! (gennys where uncommon in domestic use then)

Hands up. I once connected a weatherproof connector to an extension lead to use garden tools and wired the bare, male end to the supply. I DID change it!

I have a lead with two males for flashing generators that need re energising. I have two and if they aren't run occasionally they tend to lose their residual magnetism and don't self-excite.

Oldiebut goodie wrote:I have a lead with two males for flashing generators that need re energising. I have two and if they aren't run occasionally they tend to lose their residual magnetism and don't self-excite.

Is this a quiz or a conundrum? I am intrigued ( and I have had a cr*p week of bureaucracy chasing, form filling cr*p)

I used to have a old Bedford ambulance that was converted to a mobile shop and the mains power input for the charging and workbench was via short lead that had a 13amp 3 pin domestic plug on each end and you just plugged it into any of the power sockets that were vacant.... No rcd or anything.... It focused the mind to remember to connect it be for switching the power on !

Oldiebut goodie wrote:I have a lead with two males for flashing generators that need re energising. I have two and if they aren't run occasionally they tend to lose their residual magnetism and don't self-excite.

Hi Oldie,
Could you explain a bit?
Ive got a 2.1KVA generator that doesent give any output.
It did work, then I tried it one day and nothing.
I've taken it apart, but couldnt find any obvious problems.

Ta.
T

I am looking for an aprox 1 to 2 KVA 240V alternator / generator (ie I don't want the engine bit) to use with my old Petter Diesel engine, if anyone has one they don't want.

NOTE, for sensible, careful people only! for sensible, careful people only!

The principle is to put some voltage backwards into the output coils. Some small generators can be done by just plugging an electric drill into the output and spinning the chuck by hand to rotate the motor - this gives enough voltage to excite the generator again. I haven't had any success by this method though.
The other way is to have two generators, one working, one not. Start up the them both, plug a lead with male plugs on both ends and three light bulbs in series in the middle into the non functioning one first then plug the other end into the other one carefully as that male could be live at any point! Run them both for a couple of minutes interconnected until the lights are steady and then shut them both down, remove the leads and test the non functioning one for output. It usually works! You could use mains power but have to be extra careful with the live male end if you don't have a switched socket.

Read this - ignoring the 110v references from our Yank cousins, http://www.endtimesreport.com/dead_gen.html

Which reminds me - it must be time to run them again to save having to reflash them.

ghost123uk wrote:I am looking for an aprox 1 to 2 KVA 240V alternator / generator (ie I don't want the engine bit) to use with my old Petter Diesel engine, if anyone has one they don't want.

I will have a look I may have something in the depths of the workshop if I didn't dump all the bits.

Thanks for that, I'll give it a try in the school hols.
I am reasonably sensible (except for my choice of daily drive vehicle)
I had almost decided to dump it / give it away, given that a house move is fairly imminent.

T

Aren't we talking about re-polarising as in re-aligning the magnetic field...like you used to do on old dynamo's etc.

Once had to do this to an old 'Indian' (Harley Davidson) motorcycle because it wasn't riden often and when it was used for the first time after a winter break, the battery wasn't being charged. 2 - 3 strokes (flash) and the dynamo was polarized and then started charging.



Martin

Chief or Brave?
Lovely bikes, my grandfather tried to turn at 30 mph on a gravel road on a Chief, needless to say he didn't make it! He had the scars to prove it.