International - ReadyPower

Does anyone have information, materials or equipment that has to do with International - Ready Power Units?

Ready-Power was a line of generators marketed by International Harvester during the thirties. They were offered in a number of voltages and wattage outputs, single and four cylinder engines. The singles were built on the trusty LA engine, and later the LB and were offered in 1 and 2 KW models. The four cylinder was offered in 1935 with an IH series 12 engine rated at 5 KW. They also offered other models up to 50KW

Gus : Would you have A picture of A Ready-Power unit using A LA or LB engine ? I would like to see one. Tom Jr. W. Pa.

Tom, Here's what they look like. The two in the photo I believe are LA's. The manual copy shows the Mod. LB. The LA's have extended hoppers, while the LB has a radiator which I presume is vapor cooling like Fairbanks used on most of it's generators.

The two units in the picture belong to me and my father.

Hey Gus, two questions. Do you know who built the generator assembly?

And how is the generator marked? If I find one of these generators I'd love to know, my LB is looking for a purpose in its life.

The only info I have is what is in the manual. The generators belong to Chris and his dad, maybe there is a seperate tag on them.

[John Newman, Jr.]

Hi. I just acquired what I now think might be a 4 cylinder version of this generator. The gen has a brass tag that says "The Ready Power CO Detroit, Mich USA" It also has READYPOWER cast in the exhaust elbow. Got a picture that shows the one you describe? I can provide pic of mine. Anybody got any books or literature on this?
My thanks for any information you might have,
John Newman, Jr.
Saint Louis, MO

[Ken Majeski]

Well... Here is a Pic taken of one at the Cedar Falls Iowa show.... Never knew they made these things untill I saw these... I had posted the pic in Harry's Gallery....