Generator died

[Phill Tibbetts]

A friend gave me a Dayton 2200 watt Honda powered generator that had been setting for I don't know how long, maybe a few years. I cleaned the carb, put in fresh gas and it started right up. I used it that day with no problems. Next day I started it up and the generator is completely dead. Circuit breaker did not trip so no idea what to do next. Wondering it it has brushes that may be stuck in the holders from setting. it is a heavy little sucker so I think it probably has copper windings. Model 3W735 Honda GX160 5.5 HP motor.

 

[Billy Shafer]

I think it is all solid state. I will check. Carb may be clogged.

 

[timcasbolt]

(quoted from post at 15:33:21 06/19/22) A friend gave me a Dayton 2200 watt Honda powered generator that had been setting for I don't know how long, maybe a few years. I cleaned the carb, put in fresh gas and it started right up. I used it that day with no problems. Next day I started it up and the generator is completely dead. Circuit breaker did not trip so no idea what to do next. Wondering it it has brushes that may be stuck in the holders from setting. it is a heavy little sucker so I think it probably has copper windings. Model 3W735 Honda GX160 5.5 HP motor.

f you mean the engine is working but you have no electrical output, you might be able to excite it by plugging an electric drill into the outlet, squeeze the trigger and turn the chuck backwards by hand.

 

[Russ from MN]

I got an old generator that had been sitting for a long time and not used, and after I got the engine running I exited the generator with a drill, worked well. My understanding is that's usually only a problem when they haven't been used for a while. Phill said it worked fine the day before.

 

[Steve@Advance]

Could be mud dobber nests on the brush holders.

Slip rings may need to be cleaned and polished with fine crocus cloth.

 

[Phill Tibbetts]

It starts and runs just no electric output

 

[Billy Shafer]

Try what timcasbolt says. That sometimes works. I am Covered up so it maybe later. Before I get back.

 

[Billy Shafer]

Found my file. I will see what I can find.

 

[Charles in Aus.]

Look at the capacitor , see if it is bulging or leaking . A quick and easy fix if it has failed.

 

[MarkB_MI]

Here is a manual. It does not appear to have brushes. As Charles from Oz says, it's possible the capacitor has failed. It's a pretty simple machine and there's not a lot to go wrong.
Dayton 3W735B manual

 

[Phill Tibbetts]

Thankyou

 

[Billy Shafer]

I saw that but overlooked it because of the B. Thank you. Good place to look. Also, while you are in there. I would look at the windings.

Thanks MarkB_MI

 

[Phill Tibbetts]

I took the capacitor to an electrical shop today and it is bad. Guess I will have to throw almost $50 for a factory replacement unless someone knows of a reasonable priced replacement.

 

[MarkB_MI]

> Guess I will have to throw almost $50 for a factory replacement unless someone knows of a reasonable priced replacement.

The capacitance and voltage rating should be marked on it.

 

[guido]

(quoted from post at 23:33:21 06/19/22) A friend gave me a Dayton 2200 watt Honda powered generator that had been setting for I don't know how long, maybe a few years. I cleaned the carb, put in fresh gas and it started right up. I used it that day with no problems. Next day I started it up and the generator is completely dead. Circuit breaker did not trip so no idea what to do next. Wondering it it has brushes that may be stuck in the holders from setting. it is a heavy little sucker so I think it probably has copper windings. Model 3W735 Honda GX160 5.5 HP motor.

My guess it that the voltage regulator went south. Some of them will have the capacitor in the same package,

Guido.

 

[Charles in Aus.]

(quoted from post at 06:01:01 06/21/22) unless someone knows of a reasonable priced replacement.

I needed a new start / run capacitor for the Fiac air compressor I repaired with helpful advice given on this forum . A genuine replacement from the authorised service centre would have cost $135. Aus. A replacement of the same impedance and voltage from that big online market place cost $12. with post .

 

[rlp in Co.]

I buy my capacitors from sur plus supply. I buy a few extras when I order to fit my motors and air conditioners!

 

[guido]

rlp said he gets them from surplus supply?.

I think the capacitor is only part of the problem,

Guido.

 

[MarkB_MI]

If you're not familiar with capacitor markings, post a pic of the cap along with its dimensions and I'll bet folks here can come up with a reasonably-priced alternative. Although 50 bucks isn't exactly exorbitant.

 

[Phill Tibbetts]

More questions, I see a lot of capacitors but how do I know which one will work other than the 16 mf and 450 VAC? some are pvc cased and some are metal cased. Confusing to me.

 

[Phill Tibbetts]

< Here is a pic of a factory replacement

 

[Phill Tibbetts]

< Here is a pic of a factory replacement

 

[MarkB_MI]

Does your capacitor look EXACTLY like the picture you posted? Or just similar?

I don't think it should matter if the capacitor has a metal or plastic case. The main thing, other than the capacitor's ratings, it that it has to fit wherever it needs to go. If there's a chance the case can cause a short circuit where it's located, maybe a plastic one would be better, but otherwise a metal cap should work.

The capacitance rating is 16 microfarads, abbreviated as 16 mfd or 16 &micro;fd. Some motor capacitors actually contain two or three caps, which is why some will list multiple capacitances, e.g. '45/5 MFD'. The actual capacitance is probably fairly important, so stick with the &plusmn;5 percent tolerance.

The voltage rating, typically listed in ac volts, needs to be higher than the highest voltage the device is expected to handle. 350 VAC would seem to be a bit of overkill for your generator, except that the capacitor winding is isolated from the generator output so it might get pretty high. So I wouldn't try to skimp on the voltage.

The 40/70(85)/21 is the capacitor's climate rating. It can handle temperatures between -40C and +70C, and can handle the upper temperature for at least 21 days. I'm not sure, but I think the '(85)' means it can briefly handle 85C. I wouldn't worry to much about those numbers.

Note that motor capacitors come in both start and run types. The starting capacitors are smaller for a given capacitance, but can only operate for brief periods. For your purpose you need a motor run capacitor, or a capacitor intended specifically for a generator.

Here's one that looks like it will work, if the dimensions (1.57 inch diameter x 1.75 inch long) are OK. Note the slow shipping, though.
16 mfd 450V capacitor

 

[Phill Tibbetts]

I got it ordered Thank you very much. I'll post a message after I put it in and try it.