[K3PZN-List] Generator Update

[Heath, Rob]

I got some time to "play" with the generator this weekend.  I was able to
perform a general cleanup and inspection to come up with a list of items
that need to be addressed and the required materials.  I will be organizing
some sessions to work on the generator in the near future.  Anyone
interested in helping should let me know which tasks you can help with and
give me an idea of your availability in the evening during the week or in
the morning or afternoon on the weekends.   Does anyone know the history of
the generator?  Where did it come from, how long has the club had it, what
maintenance (other than an oil change) has been performed in the past?  Any
chance there is any documentation around for it?

 

Materials

=======

Deck Stain

Stripper/Rust Remover

Automotive Primer/Paint (Rob)

Red Spray Paint for Gas Cans

Olive Green Paint for AB-101 Mast

Yellow Touch-Up Paint

Tarp

Spark Plugs - Champion HIOC or Champion H8 or Onan #167-0237

Plug Wires

Air Filter - Onan #140-1907? (6.5" Long x 1.5" Wide opening)

Oil Filter - Onan #122-0185/Hastings LF142/Fram PH-16 (Spare in the tool
box)

Points/Condenser ?? - For WICO model X Spec XH-2686

Head Gasket

 

Maintenance Tasks

===============

-- I pressure washed the trailer and it looks much better.  The wood appears
to be in good shape, but it will need to be stained and sealed.  I would
rather not have to purchase stain as it can get expensive.  If anyone has
some extra deck stain they can donate, I will collect it and mix it
together.

-- The trailer needs to be painted.  I was planning to sand blast it, but
have reconsidered since it would take considerable effort to seal up the
generator to keep the sand out.  I will strip it using chemical stripper and
rust remover instead.  I have some primer and black automotive paint to
repaint it.

-- That tarp has to go.

-- The wheel hubs need to be pulled and have the bearing repacked with
grease.

-- The platform that the generator is sitting on is sagging.  We need to
lift the engine up to take some of the weight off it.  We can then put some
wood under the platform to reinforce it.  I should have some 4x4s in the
basement for this.

-- The AB-101 tilt over mast is rusted.  We need to clean it up and repaint
it.

 

-- The biggest concern is a possible bad valve on cylinder 3.  I got 110 -
125 psi on cylinders 1,2 and 4.  I was only able to get 60 psi on cylinder
3.  Pulling the head for cylinders 3 & 4 looks easy enough, providing we can
find a head gasket for it.

-- The air filter needs to be replaced.

-- Plugs look OK, but should get replaced.  The plug wires could be replaced
as well.  -- The oil looks good, but might as well be changed.  I pulled the
valve cover to check the valves for cylinder 3.  The top end of the engine
is extremely clean with no sludge.

-- The carburetor (Carter Model N) needs some work.  We had to run during
field day with the choke on indicating that it was too lean.  I had to
adjust the mixture screw out 2 additional turns to get it to run without the
choke.  I removed the carburetor bowl and it was all crudded up.  I think
the mixture screw is out further than it should be.  The jets may be dirty.

-- I adjusted the governor and got the frequency down to 60 hertz.  I want
put a tach on the engine and double check the governor setting with the RPM
rating listed on the generator.

-- I opened up the distributor and it looked real good inside.  I removed
some deposits from the contacts on the distributor cap.  The points look
good and are set to 0.015" as specified.  We don't have to, but we may want
to replace the points and condenser as long as we are working on it.

-- We need to open up the control box and check the voltage adjustment
control.  We should also see if we can fix the current gauges.

-- Some bear spots on the gas tank and engine need to be painted to prevent
rusting.  I have to go to the paint shop.  I will take the air filter up and
get a pint of touch up paint matched.  I have reducer and hardener to mix
it.