Fixing a rubbish petrol generator

[greg_in_london]

Does anyone have any expertise with petrol generators ?

 

A few years ago I bought a Pro-user G2300 2.3kW petrol generator. I finally used it on a camping weekend last summer and then a couple of times to power a drill in the garage. A couple of weeks ago a friend borrowed it to play some music at an event and it stopped working - the motor runs, but it doesn't generate electricity.

 

I haven't done any electrical tests yet, but when taking off the vent cover from the generator I also took off a black box which seems to contain a capacitor and the plastic backing bit which should weather proof it has been pushed out and maybe a component inside is erupting, so it's either very poorly made or the capacitor has popped. I presume that that would stop the generator from producing electricity, even if I'm not sure exactly how that would work.

 

I'm just wondering if anyone has experience of generators could tell me if the cpacitor is really likely to be the problem. Presuming that it is, can I just replace it with another capacitor of around 19uF ? is there anything I need to avoid ?

 

Or is the problem likely to be something else so the part will pop again unless I sort it ?

[RedRider]

It isn't made by Lucas by any chance?

 

RR

[Flyinfool]

I found this that may help a bit.

http://www.justanswer.com/small-engine/3q7n9-bought-pro-user-g2300-generator-engine-works.html

 

 

I could not find a schematic or parts diagram online to see what its internal circuits are.

If the capacitor looks like it may be damaged, it is easy to replace and not very expensive. There are other things that can cause the cap to fail.

If you replace the cap, what is important is the 19uF and the 450V AC. The voltage can be higher but never lower. Most of those type capacitors are round metal cans, it may be tricky mounting it.

[greg_in_london]

I've ordered a couple of capacitors - 19 and 20uF. The ones with the highest specs are the cheapest as they're coming from China, the ones in the UK seem okay. Either way I'll have one to try in a couple of days and spares on the way.

 

I found a place that seemed really good on generators, if quite expensive. They recommended an AVR (automatic voltage regulator) instead of a capacitor (at extra cost), which I was going to spring for until they tried adding extra taxes between checkout and paying. I HATE that - generally they're not allowed to add prices to what is displayed over here, so it's a really stupid practice. Hopefully the capacitor will do the trick.

 

Thanks for the link, flyinfool - I saw that page, but the gennie stopped working in use, so I thought a lack of charge was unlikely. I'm going to use the multimeter tests on the brushes though when I dive in with the capacitor. Another site suggested checking the generated voltage without the capacitor, which they said would be about 5v (as the capacitor provides the energy to excite the coils). I'm a bit nervous of that, but could do it so long as I can make the connections before I start the engine...

[greg_in_london]

Follow-up: I bought a cheapie capacitor which was the same specs, but bigger, and fitted it. Apart from soldering a wire to a switch and taking a bit off the end of the HT lead to make it start more reliably, fitting the capacitor seems to have done the trick.

 

Unfortunately I won't know for sure until we're surrounded by friends, drinking beer and powering a PA system for our party, but it will all add to the fun ;-)

[yamagrl]

Now I thought you were talking about a generator that makes petrol out of rubbish. That would be the ticket, Mate.

Edited June 18, 2016 by yamagrl
spelling

[Flyinfool]

Glad you got it, I would find something that will load it to near capacity like a space heater or small window air conditioner, and test it out at home before relying on it.

 

 

Now I thought you were talking about a generator that makes petrol out of rubbish. That would be the ticket, Mate.

 

That was actually my first impression also.

But then I looked at where Greg is located and translated the English to American and all was good.............