swan generator

finally got to collect the generator.
photo's below.



the engine has no compression, I think its just a stuck valve.
more pictures to follow, once I get started.
Richard..

It's dinky isn't it?

Any idea on voltage & what it was used for? I see what looks like a throttle lever, which seems odd on a generator as most will require a governor to help regulate voltage. Makes me wonder if it's a battery charging set. (unless the lever is for choke or just a throttle governor override for warming up).

Watching with interest.

it came with a bank of battery's.
Richard.

Yeah, it's for charging 12v batteries. Might have a slide-along variable resistor thingy which you're supposed to set when the batteries are connected so that the amp meter goes to a certain level, or it might be a volt meter, or some other system of regulation.

Easy enough to run something off it, probably lights. Looks like a Villiers lump, so you're in familiar territory there.

A nice little compact unit.

Nice little genny. Judging by the paint work an oily rag resto might be enough as it look's good condition
Andrew

an afternoon with no rugby led to a quick strip of the swan.


it's a Villiers engine and I found a date stamp of 1967 on the flywheel.
Richard..

Richard, I see the batteries that came with the genny in one of the pics. Are they the old alkaline batteries? If they can hold there charge great but if they need to be overhauled, new alkaline solution then your talking big ££££'s that's if you can still get your hands on the stuff.

Stu.

the engine came with paperwork saying that the engine was last serviced and checked in 1992, so i'm guessing that the batteries are no good.
Richard.

You could charge them & test them, but you'd need to know what voltage to charge them up to.

Thing is, a big battery bank like that could make a little engine into a very big & heavy exhibit!

Would be interested to see what type they are. I expect they're lead acid, they look like 2v traction cells, so could be AGM or gel, in which case they could take a charge. Nothing lasts for ever though, & one dud cell would pull the whole lot down.

got the mag sparking, a strip and clean of the flywheel mag resulted in a nice big spark. next is the carb hopefully just a strip and clean will be needed.
Richard..

Great work Richard, sounds as if you'll have it up and running in no time.

Stu.

cleaned the carb added some clean petrol and away it went, then stopped. fault found in on off switch so I removed it and it now runs well and produces a decent voltage, next job is to strip the old paint and repaint it. need to find some new engine mounts before I remount it in the carrier.
Richard..

Turns out to be a good little buy then Richard .

Matt

I didn't think I would get it running so quickly, and at no extra cost.
Richard..

Has your daughter not claimed this engine Richard, I thought she wanted a genny at first.

I know a lot of gennys etc fitted the old mini exhaust bob ins so maybe you could check them out first.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Classic-mini-exhaust-mounting-cotten-reel-New-/400326473669?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item5d355137c5

Stu.

she's got her eye on it. what you gonna do with that then dad, is the question i'm hearing most at the moment.
Richard..

How could I guess that was coming Richard, looks as if you could be lossing a few of your engines, it's to a good cause and you can never say no to your kids, well most of the time.

Stu.

spent the morning re welding the frame, with it being sat for so long the base bar on one side of the frame had rusted through in places. I was thinking of leaving it as found but now I have a section of frame that looks new. so unless I can think of a way to make it match the rest of the frame i'm going to have to repaint it.
does anyone know of a way to replicate rusting on new metal?..
Richard..

That's easy Richard, just put a Ford sticker on it, should rust in no time

Sorry the only way I know is let it stand somewhere damp after you rub it down. There may be a chemical to help but not sure what it is.

Stu.

There are distressing chemicals, but I can't remember what they are either. I've been using battery acid to clean parts up & I can tell you that plain water would probably be quicker to age a piece of steel. Battery acid isn't what I thought it was, it's actually quite mild & takes a long time to act, which is probably a good thing.

i'm going to try salty water to see if that has any effect, otherwise I will try to copy it with paint. because the new weld is on the bottom I won't be that visible. a few tins of humbrol enamel in various rust like colours and some small bits of sponge apply the paint.
whats the worst that can happen.
Richard..

I left the frame to rust today in salty water, its started to change colour nicely. so I have no need to do anything too quickly to make it look original.
Richard..

I never thought about salty water, another thing you could try is road salt (if there's any left in roadside bins LOL) but that's very corrosive so use with care.

Stu.

the rusting worked well and the new vibration mounts arrived in the post. the engine is running well and producing a good voltage. now I just need to decide what to do with it.
Richard..

earlsinclare wrote:the rusting worked well and the new vibration mounts arrived in the post. the engine is running well and producing a good voltage. now I just need to decide what to do with it.
Richard..

We will wait to hear your shocking news on what you decide to use it for.

Stu.