Portable generator not generating power

[Tom N MS]

Brother is working on one--I told him about the "spin the drill backwards trick but that did not make it start genning.. Yrs ago I "bumped" one with a 12 volt battery but don't remember Zactly how and I know it's a little risky..Any other thoughts? Suggestions? Thanks
 

[Ultradog MN]

There was a thead on Tool Talk a while back and someone suggested slight oxidation on the slip rings.
I would ask or look through the archives there.
I don't often see you guys from the N Board over there or on Tractor Talk.
Both boards are great resources and not to be despised.
Tool Talk

 

[Tom N MS]

Thanks--did it-will see what happens..
 

[Den N Ms]

TO RE-EXCITE GENERATOR
1. If no output, rev engine to full throttle for no more than 3 seconds. This will usually reexcite
the genhead if it has lost its residual magnetism.
2. If still no output, shut engine off.
3. Remove end cover screws and end cover from genhead. Remove capacitor leads from capacitor.
NOTE: On the GHC6510 and H650CS remove the two pink capacitor leads from the wire harness
not the capacitor. Attach one capacitor lead to one pole of a 6-volt battery (lantern battery) and strike
the other capacitor lead across the other pole of the battery so as to cause an arc. Reattach capacitor
leads to capacitor. Reassemble end cover. Restart engine to check for output.
 

[Den N Ms]

TO CHECK CAPACITOR
(if generator will not re-excite)
1. Remove end cover screws and end cover
from genhead. NOTE: The capacitor on the
GHC6510 and H650CS is located in the panel
assembly, see To Remove Panel Assembly for
this unit and proceed.
a. Remove capacitor leads.
b. Connect VOM to capacitor and watch for
low ohms reading that slowly progresses
to an open circuit. Open circuit from beginning
indicates bad capacitor.
TO CHECK STATOR
(if generator will not re-excite and capacitor is
OK)
1. If the capacitor checks okay, check for open
circuits in stator.
2. To check for open circuits in stator,
attach VOM to the following leads:
A. Black- Orange
B. Red- Green
C. Pink capacitor lead- Pink capacitor
lead
Open circuit indicates bad stator.
3. If open circuits are not found and there is
still a problem, check for circuits grounded
in stator. Attach VOM between:
A. Black- Stator laminations *
B. Red- Stator laminations*
C. Pink capacitor leads- Stator laminations*
No reading indicates good stator. No reading
will be indicated on meter as OL.
4. Attach Vom between black and pink capacitor
lead; and red and pink capacitor lead.
Your reading should be infinity or OL. If you
read zero or above, this indicates bad stator.
Most commonly caused by lacings meshed
between windings as shown.
* Varnish on the laminations must be
scraped off to make contact with the
metal surface for correct readings.
TO CHECK ROTOR
(if generator will not re-excite and Stator is OK)
1. If stator checks okay, then check rotor for
open circuits. If the rotor has two diodes,
remove one diode and attach VOM to solder
junction of removed diode to solder junction
of the remaining diode. Open circuit indicates
bad rotor. If the rotor has one diode, remove
the 1/4"-20 nut above the 1/4" female connector
and remove from diode bracket.
Attach VOM to female connector and solder
junction on diode. Open circuit indicates bad rotor.
 

[Tom N MS]

Den, thanks for the info--if some of the easy tricks don't work I'm going to tell him to return it to its owner and let them get it to a shop. Have you seen the one where u make a cord up apply 110v?
 

[Tom N MS]

Thanks-he"s gonna try the revving and the 6 volt battery tricks..I relayed your info to him about an hour ago and have not heard from him since then--it might have bit him...
 

[Den N Ms]

You mean hooking it to 110 volts?
NO! DON"T DO THAT!
 

[Tom N MS]

I"m not telling others to do it but sounded interesting and if I was having trouble I"d try it..