Kohler generator

[keith427]

My dad has a trailer mounted Kohler generator bought used in the 80's that we powered a house with before permanent electricity was put in. I got it running again in the mid 90's and it has sat since. I'm sure I can get it running again but I question how it would effect newer electronics if I used it for backup power at my house. It has a 4 cylinder water cooled gas engine. I only have a picture of the tag on the generator. Any thoughts?

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[Sean Feeney]

Theirs people out there using generators a lot older then that.

 

[Bill in IN]

It's not really big enough to carry most houses with starting
loads. If you're really worried about electronics, why not UPS
them which gives you protection from the power companys' problems
too, plus a bridge for generator run up and transfer.

Most electronics are powered @ 5vdc anymore without transformers
so harmonics don't usually hurt too much unless you have ground
issues.

 

[Mike M]

My back up is from 1945 ! Has a willys jeep flat head 4 cyl. I have ran a computer on it without any known issues ? your mileage may vary ?
Many of these old ones were rated to run at the rating all day long too. Not like the wimpy junk made today. So they actually seem to put out more than rated.

 

[Dean]

Agreed, Bill.

I use lap top computers so as to avoid the need for a stand alone UPS. The modem/router has an internal battery back up.

The back-up genset comes online within about five seconds so only the old devices with built in digital clocks need attention after an outage.

Dean

 

[buickanddeere]

If in good shape and properly setup . Those old Kohlers are a fine gender and will serve well. As with all generators , overload it and all bets are off .

 

[Billy Shafer]

That has the L654 engine. Those things are tanks. You have to really try to destroy them. One of the best units Kohler ever made.Very
nice unit to have.They don't like sitting around. They like to work.

 

[John T]

Its frequency is determined by its RPM and those gensets have pretty good governors so I wouldn't worry all that much about small electronics. However, a modern Inverter generator might be better in some circumstances. Id not be afraid to use it for emergency back up household purposes.

John T

 

[keith427]

Thank you all for the input gentlemen.
When I got it running in the 90's I cleaned everything including the brushes and everything worked fine. It seems like I remember the crankshaft having movement at the damper as if there was possibly a worn thrust bearing. It has sat since. I have a 5500 watt craftsman with a Briggs engine for back up power but I think I will bring the Kohler home for something to mess with.
Thanks again,
Keith

 

[David G]

Anything with a mechanical regulator will be noisy, but that said, I would not worry too much.

It is interesting, motors and incandescent lights should smooth the transients out, wonder how that will look as we move to LED lighting.