Who knows about generators?

[V8Ian]

I have a non-running Honda genny. It has been attacked by a dog, who chewed off the spark plug lead, and is siezed. I have never heard it run, but the symptoms described to me make me suspect big end/crank failure. The motor is a Honda 8 hp. Specifically I would like know:
1)Is this motor worth spending money on?
2)The alternator is old, and presumably not pure sine wave (what ever that may be), as such, is it suitable to power a computer or domestic fridge?
3)Is the alternator worth re-powering?

[Bigbjorn]

Ian, if you need major OEM parts for anything with a Honda nameplate you are going to be ripped off mightily. Also, Honda practice ruthless obsolescence programmes and parts for older Honda equipment are removed from the system around the 10 year mark. Why not open it up and see what is needed. You may be able to acquire from after-market and pirate suppliers at much better prices than from Honda dealers.

[V8Ian]

Yes Brian, a Land Rover muffler is cheaper than a Honda mower one!
I know nothing about the generating end, and was wondering if it was worth repowering. Much of Innisfail is still without power and as far north as Deeral.

[isuzurover]

I know nothing about the generating end, ...

Mecc Alte S.p.A is one of the largest generator manufacturers - so should be good quality.

I would open the motor and see what is needed.

[Tank]

Last time I owned a honda powered anything was a long time back, 25 years ago. they were a throw away motor, my Honda pump had a bottom end knock so I decided to replace the big end bearinig. trouble is Hondas didn't have bottom end bearings, the con rod ran directly on the crank and to replace you had to buy a new rod and piston as a unit and it was more than the price of a similar size Briggs and Stratton. Ended up scrapping it , Regards Frank.

[V8Ian]

Mecc Alte S.p.A is one of the largest generator manufacturers - so should be good quality.

I would open the motor and see what is needed.

Being able to generate in excess of 4 KVA, it should have no difficulty in powering a house, but is it the right type of power? I've heard of fridges blowing up on generators. What is 'pure sine'? Is it essential for certain appliances?

[bee utey]

Last time I owned a honda powered anything was a long time back, 25 years ago. they were a throw away motor, my Honda pump had a bottom end knock so I decided to replace the big end bearinig. trouble is Hondas didn't have bottom end bearings, the con rod ran directly on the crank and to replace you had to buy a new rod and piston as a unit and it was more than the price of a similar size Briggs and Stratton. Ended up scrapping it , Regards Frank.

My Honda powered mower is still going, 16 years after I filed down the big end cap to correct the clearance. Previous owner had run it with a sump full of petrol. Which is why I got it for nothing.
You may be able to break the engine loose with some CRC down the bore, but don't waste too much time on making it perfect. Unless you find a matching motor off a burnt out genny you won't do it cheaply.

[Redback]

Being able to generate in excess of 4 KVA, it should have no difficulty in powering a house, but is it the right type of power? I've heard of fridges blowing up on generators. What is 'pure sine'? Is it essential for certain appliances?

Yes it is, especially for medical devices and delicate electronics, it esentially doesn't surge, which will kill things like computers and the like.

Baz.

[V8Ian]

I'm thinking a new Honda may be the go. Where's Fluids?

[isuzurover]

Being able to generate in excess of 4 KVA, it should have no difficulty in powering a house, but is it the right type of power? I've heard of fridges blowing up on generators. What is 'pure sine'? Is it essential for certain appliances?

Any good quality generator should produce a pure sine wave, as that is inherently what alternators produce (car alternators produce AC, which is then rectified to DC).

It is inverters that often produce a "Square wave" or "modified sine wave"

This image shows the difference. Proper 240V AC cycles between -240 and +240 V 50 times per second. Cheap inverters clip the dc and invert the voltage 50 times per second.

So in short, your generator should produce a pure sine wave. The only issues will be how close the governer and the genset can keep the power to 240 V and 50 Hz. AFAIK that is the main problem with gensets, not the waveform.