Honda Generator

[Ramper]

I picked up a Honda EN2500 generator at an auction for $19. The engine (gx160) runs great put the unit does not produce power. The push button switch did not seem to work so I opened up the cover and jumped the switch. Still nothing. I put a voltmeter in place of the switch and it read 2.2 volts. This is higher than the 0 volts it read before I started the motor. Do you guys have any ideas? I plan to replace the switch so do not worry about my safety. THANKS

 

[Streetbu]

First thing to try, reassemble it, plug in an electric drill to one of the outlets. Start the engine. Grab the drill, depress the trigger, carefully spin the Chuck as quick as you can while holding the trigger down. This will energize/excite the field in the generator and it may just start working. Generators have a tendency to lose their charge if they've sat for an extended time. Be careful, if it does take off you don't want to get your hand cut or clothes caught in the chuck....

 

[aknawful]

Reverse the polarity. My fathers Honda 3500 did the same thing.

 

[Ramper]

Reverse the polarity. My fathers Honda 3500 did the same thing.

How do I do that?

 

[Ramper]

I am seeing that the "switch" is labeled a protector circuit 20A. The want $50 for a new one. Can I just use a 20 amp fuse?

 

[reader2580]

That sounds like a 20 amp breaker. Are you getting power to the breaker? If you have no power to the breaker it won't help to replace it.

 

[Ramper]

When I replaced the breaker with my multimeter it read 2.2 volts.

 

[aknawful]

How do I do that?

http://www.endtimesreport.com/dead_gen.html

 

[Rookie2]

Touch a 9v battery or 12volts to the slip rings, the outer slip ring is positive.

 

[TractorJeff]

This doesn't make sense nor seem safe? "I put a voltmeter in place of the switch and it read 2.2 volts."

 

[reader2580]

One side of the breaker should be the hot side coming from the generator head. If you still have low voltage there it is probably not the breaker. You could disconnect the hot side from the breaker and then test again just to be doubly sure if it is the breaker or not.

 

[Ramper]

I ordered a new circuit breaker. I tested the capacitor and it read 13uF like it should. I tried the drill backwards and that did not work. I assume that I can replace the outlet with a standard 120V outlet. If after changing the outlet, changing the circuit breaker and it still does not work (I will try the drill again), what more can I do?