benjamin said:
Is that black thing I see an oil filter? That's a good sign.
Yep-that should be easy to find as it seems like a lot of small engines use the same one.
benjamin said:
What's the story on the starter? Did the FIL convert it to a wind up or is that rope just all that's left?
It was recoil start to begin with and the spring mechanism that winds the cord back up broke so he took it off and was starting it just by wrapping the rope around the pulley. I found a manual for it online and apparently you could get these in electric start as well with wheels, a handle, etc... I'll find some wheels and a handle to throw on it but if I can just get a new recoil starter I'll be happy.
benjamin said:
I'd do whatever it takes to get it started and run a couple of gallons of new gas though it, then decide if it needs anything.
My dad is retired and buys, sells, and repairs lawnmowers as a hobby/side business. I'm going to have him go through the fuel system and clean everything out, adjust the valves, etc...because I want to make sure that it's going to start easily when I need it. I opened up the fuel tank and it has "that smell" that indicates varnish so I'm sure there is gunk and sludge throughout the lines, carburetor, etc...just due to leaving old gas in it for too long. All that and an oil change/new filter ought to have it running like new. I just wanted to get a handle on parts because I'd rather not order a new recoil starter as I'm sure they're $$$. My dad has tons of parts laying around and if there's something that will interchange that I can just slap on there that would be ideal.
zapny said:
It's been a great little generator for us, we have the microwave,fan for the propane fireplace & the fan for the woodstove, outlets on the island, the well pump some lights plus the furnace on the generator transfer panel. We added the fan for the woodstove on the generator box from the original setup and never had any problems with it.
Can you elaborate on the transfer panel? I'm getting a little ahead of myself but I was trying to figure out the best way to get the power where I need it. I'm going to take a guess that you're using a NEMA L5-30 plug to bring the power to a small breaker box? Is that hardwired to the outlets in the house or does stuff plug directly into that?
Essentials:
Sump pump (2) - I could cycle them if need be-they run a fair amount, but we lost power for five hours in a heavy rain once and we were still ok.
1600 watts total/2400 watts surge (but they wouldn't likely start at the same time)
Wood furnace blower - In cold weather of course-in the summer we'll just make do because there's no way this thing could run our central air unit.
800 watts/1300 watts surge
Chest freezer - I store a lot of ice in this one so I could cycle it every few hours if needed.
500 watts/1000 watts surge
Refrigerator - Again, it could be cycled.
800 watts/1600 watts surge
Extras:
Lights - If we just wanted to be able to have some light in the kitchen and living room.
500 watts
TV/satellite box - You have to pass the time somehow!
500 watts
Laptop/modem/wireless - What better way to pass the time than on Hearth.com?
1000 watts
So my constant load if all of this stuff were running at once (highly unlikely) would be 5700 and the generator capacity is only 4200 constant. Total surge is 6300, but again, the likely hood of both sumps, the wood furnace, the chest freezer, and the refrigerator all kicking on at once is slim to none. I think I'll be ok as long as I don't try to overdo it, but having a box in the house where I could turn breakers on and off so that I could easily cycle things would be great so if anyone has any ideas on how to do that I'll all ears.
webie said:
That craftsman looks Identical to my Generac 4000 xl which is also a 7.8 hp . Its a great unit . I have only had to replace the low oil sensor and the breaker last year for the 30 amp outlet . The motor was built by Generac in Waukesha Wi . I was able to get a part for mine last year and I be willing to bet this is a generac rebadged for craftsman . Now here is the tricky part Generac was bought out by briggs.
It's funny-the numbers off of the engine were "ENG 98912" and "90466". When I enter those on Generac's website it tells me that they are industrial engines and I need to contact an industrial dealer. However, when I look online at the GN220 engine it looks identical to what I have.
kenny chaos said:
There's plenty you can do to try to get it running no matter what make it is. I salvaged an old kawasaki years ago that was doomed because of lack of recoil.
The best thing about outdoor power equipment is other people's unwillingness to maintain it when it's running and troubleshoot it when it's not. So far I've gotten a John Deere LX170 lawn tractor, a 6 HP self propelled bagging Craftsman push mower, a McCulloch 610 chainsaw, a 2 stroke Troy-Bilt leaf blower, and now this generator for free! I would say that I spent about $100 total fixing all of it.