Onan generator - 1947 vintage - type WC2 / W3S - 3kw

Video of an Onan generator set, made in the U.S. in 1947 - type WC2 / W3S

This genset was probably made for the U.S. military and left behind after the U.S.
military was stationed in NZ, after the second world war.

The video shows a 3kw load test. A standard 3 position 3kw rated electric fire with a
fan is powered by the genset and the output voltage measured.

An additional 1kw load was added to "overlaod" the genset (2 x 500 watt halogen
lights) and the voltage measured.

This genset is believed to have been unused for many years, but ran fine for this video.

To get it running required just a few minor fixes to the ignition and valve gear, and the
addition of a silencer. Assistance was received from the US based "smokstak"
stationary engine forum with getting the genset running.




Rated 230 volts AC and 3000watts at 50hz
150 watts DC available for battery charge at 15 volts.
Engine RPM 1500
Fuel - petrol
2 cylinders approx 660 cubic centimeters
Water cooled cylinder jacket, gravity circulation, fan cooled radiator
Pressure oil feed with gauge
Standard car type AC fuel pump sucks fuel tank from below the genset
Electric start using 12 volt battery
Remote start capability (via remote located start/stop switch)
Holds approx 6litres/quarts of API 20 grade oil
Weighs approx 220kg

New Zealand standard mains voltage is 230 volts 50hz

Load Performance observed in video
======================
250 volts no load (genset is set at 250v at no load via the governer adjuster)
223 volts at 1kw load (approx)
215 volts at 2kw load (approx)
207 volts at 3kw load (approx) 3kw is the rated maximum load for this genset
190 volts at 4kw load (approx) 4kw is an "overload" for this genset

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Onan
• generator
• WC2
• W3S

[turboslag]

These little Onan's seem to be coming out of the woodwork !! I have one in the UK and until the advent of the internet and youtube was struggling to find any info ! Now there are 3 including yours on youtube ! I have a copy of the manual if you need it ? Smokstak is a really good resource.

[byrnestuff]

Many thanks for the offer of a manual, I'd certainly take you up on the offer but I have found a manual on a UK internet site,

I lived in the UK (Denham ne Heathrow) until 1999. Does the voltage vary on yours as much as mine does ?

[byrnestuff]

Yep, thanks for the comment, I know the voltage/rpm could be made to regulate better when load is applied....and I would prefer that it did ! ....but there is no adjuster on this genset that will do this that i know of......when I get time I need to experiment with different governer springs and/or change the throttle linkage....to try to get an improvement

[wind4watts]

Good demonstration Thanks, you cannot buy quality like these Military Generators now, would cost Thousands £ to make. The governor - tick over setting on mine had to be altered gradually with small adjustments, but works great now increases speed under load, was a bit unstable-fast initially caused by over rich mixture & slightly retarded timing.

[OldHowlingHound]

Try adjusting for a bit less speed droop (slowing down) when under load. The Voltage drops more than it should going from no load to 1000 Watts.  It will do better at 2000 and 3000 Watts too.