Generator Repair, and Mods-Sportsman 2000 watt generator.

A friend was having trouble with his generator so I went over in the dark to work on it, and while I was able to make SOME improvement, I couldn't get it working right. I asked to take it to my house, where I have all of my tools, and a few good space heaters to use as loads to tune it. I was able to improve it quite a bit, but it is still a piece of junk...

Category:

Education

Tags:

• generator
• electric generator
• portable generator
• emergency generator
• hurricane irene
• emergency power
• backup generator
• sportsman generators

[DeepFriedFuzzball]

Well it was running a lot better by the end of the video, is that an 87cc engine?? I think it's like other honda clones just a bit smaller, the carburettors on them are horrendous if they get any dirt in them at all. I'm not sure if those governors should have a dampening spring on them, but as this is on a generator maybe the spring is used in place of a throttle linkage system to set the engine speed, the valve rockers are meant to be a bit loose, great video :]

[themarkfellows2]

@DeepFriedFuzzball I think it was always meant to have a dampening spring on the governor, and that was the main problem.. I do believe you are right, that it is in fact a honda clone. Thanks for watching!

[Ehow67]

I just bought this very generator about a week ago... then to find this video knocking the benefit of this specific one... I'm not saying that this one that needed fixed didn't have it's problems... I'm just saying that I set mine up the right way and it fired up correctly the first pull of the cord. Beautiful running! Very satisfied! Ran great for a heavy draw of a electric chainsaw and lights all at the same time on a splitter for the 110 plug. Very happy with this piece of equipment.

[themarkfellows2]

@Ehow67 Hey, I know how it feels when you make a decision, and you get home, and you find bad reviews. It kind of makes you doubt your decision. FOR THE MONEY, IF IT RUNS RIGHT, it is not a bad decision, for 200 dollars, The generator is cheaply made, but hey it's cheap in price too, so that's to be expected. His generator was missing parts off of the governor, so that was the biggest issue. Other issues are the seal around the valve cover(look for oil leaks), and the vent on his gas cap.

[themarkfellows2]

Thanks pooper! If I ever work on the generator again, I will set the valves to .007 to .009. I thought the governor might be missing a piece. So you are saying the air/fuel mixture is a low speed adjustment only eh, makes sense.What you say about the spring loaded gas cap makes sense, but I don't think it was working, when the fuel was empty, and I opened up the petcock it pulled in a bunch of air. It is my friends generator and I went over there late one evening to try and make it better...

[themarkfellows2]

HA! good one. Yeah, I think it will be okay from now on, although definitely not the best generator you could have in your garage.

[pooper3911]

i wanna help you so bad. The valve clearance is .007-.009 and they are supposed to be sloppy.. The governor is missing a piece. in the film you can see it broken off. it goes near where you tried to put a spring. The mixture screw is for idle only. The gas cap is spring loaded so it vents only when the fuel expands.(fumes) I have one of these and its been great, but i did have a rocker fall off 2 hours after out of the box. (PUT LOCK TIGHT ON IT) call 1 866 460 9436 for buffalo customer serv

[adoynowknows2]

Excellent diagnosis Dr.

It appears that your patient, although genetically lacking, will survive!