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2018/05/01 21:31:33

Kneed2No

Where is my generator starter motor?

Hi,

I have an older unbranded natural gas and gasoline powered 8 HP generator with a Tecumseh engine. There was a problem with it in which the engine seized. I was trying to start it with the 12 volt motor for too long and probably burned it out. I want to find the motor and evaluate and either fix it or replace it. Could the motor be in any other place than behind the flywheel?

The switch is mounted in the generator portion. Could it be in there? I would rather not have to open that up.

Thanks.

Kneed2no

8 comments Leave a comment

Roy

It likely has a gear drive starter bolted to the side of the block. If no external starter the generator must have a dc winding which is not good news.

2018/05/01 22:17:32

AVB

As Roy said most engines have a starter that engages the flywheel ring gear. Try tracing the positive battery cable through the starter relay (solenoid) to the starter.

2018/05/02 08:13:48

Kneed2No

More Information:

The generator portion had Model 4PTH-3E/I.39 on it. Maybe the whole thing was made by Tecumseh.

I attempted to attach a photo of the unit as an edit to my original post.

The positive battery cable goes to the generator portion. But it is also charged from there. I tested and when the generator is running there is about 15 volts DC across the cables when they are not connected to the battery.

There is a plate in the rear of the flywheel housing that I removed and looked through it at at the flywheel. It appears that that is where a starter could be installed. But, the gas regulator is attached near that and would have to be moved somewhere, maybe on the rails. Also, the flywheel would have to be replaced since there are no gear teeth there to be engaged.

So, we are back to the possibility of a DC winding which Roy said is not good news. Can that be fixed or replaced? How can I attack that if I go that route? I do not want to break the generator. I could just use the pull start.

Lastly, Is there such a thing as a low oil shutoff switch that could be put into the oil check tube.

Thank you all,

Kneed2No

2018/05/02 11:16:28

Roy

If the winding is fried the stator would need to be replaced or rewound if you can someone to do it. This will likely cost more thaan the generator is worth. Re an add on low oil shut down, I have never seen one.

2018/05/02 12:32:39

AVB

That is an old Winco generator and yes the starter winding is part of the generator according to the L9 version that I have a wiring diagram for. Check brushes and commutator ring for damage too as it may be just fried brushes.

2018/05/02 12:37:15

Kneed2No

If the brushes were bad would it still be able to generate electricity? Is that wiring diagram available anywhere?

It sounds like I might have to carefully open the generator portion. I think that there are long bolts going the length of the generator, an small ones where the two sections of the housing are joined as well as bolts holding the starter switch in place. Would I have to remove all of these to see what the problem is?

Many years ago I had replaced the brushes.

I would have considered replacing the generator before I had the seized engine problem repaired but I could not find any reasonably priced natural gas generators around. I found that if I converted a gasoline generator into a natural gas and gasoline generator the manufacturer would not guaranty it.

That's all for now.

Thanks,

Kneed2No

2018/05/02 14:16:22

AVB

Winco_4pth-3e-l9_pl
https://drive.google.com/...Ctvu9MH9CKA8sSQdswb7qn

2018/05/02 15:40:32

Kneed2No

AVB,

Thanks for the link.

2018/05/03 09:31:11

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Where is my generator starter motor?

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