Generac engine,what is it?

[Arthur]

A friend just gave me a 4000/5000 Watt Generac that was in a camper. It is a belt driven Alternator with a vertical shaft 1 cyl.cast iron engine.It has a starter and is wired to use the camper battery system I guess. This is my first Generac, so I'm at a loss as to what kind of engine this is,I can't find an engine tag.
It is model -6120 -1, Watts 4000,...serial no.-0299347,... rpm NG 2440 .
Everything looks and feels like it just needs a little TLC,I'm not usually that lucky,here's hoping.Is the engine made by Generac? and what is the HP? I also don't understand the rpm,The alt. seems to turn a little faster than the engine. A little help would be much appreciated with this one. Best regards to all, Arthur Also the year built.?

[Joe Romas]

Generac is a subsiderary (sp?) of Briggs and Stratton Corp. The current crop of Generac units, at least at Home Depot, are labled B&S engines. But I've got one 2 or 3 years old and it's a "Genreac" engine. I found a link once saying it was a joint venture between Genrac and a Japeneese sounding name. But these are direct coupled 3600 rpm overhead valve engines and don't sound like what you have. They do have a website and you might be able to find something there.

Joe R

[Rob vds]

A belt driven generator could have any size of any brand motor. If the motor is powerful enough it can be run slower than required generator speed and thereby reduce noise and wear. I am sure if you post a picture of the motor somebody here will ID it for you! Rob

[Arthur]

Thank you Joe and Rob, I can use all the help I can get. Maybe I'll find a manual and that will be a great help. I talked with an RV dealer today and he didn't help my smile much. Good equipment sometimes get a bad name because of different reasons.Not necessarily the equipment's fault. I appreciate your help and anyone else that has any thoughts about this unit. The starter was off and taken apart so,I figure it was probably ok mechanically,just having trouble with the starter. I have plenty of time,so I'll enjoy finding out something about it. My Grandad to tell me,( everybody is ignorant,just at different things ).. Best regards and a big thanks to Harry.
Arthur

[Arthur]

I forgot to mention that the engine is packed in this unit like a sardine.A picture wouldn't help much unless somebody had experience with taking it out for some reason. You can't see much but the cooling fins and carb..I'll post again when I find out more about it. Arthur

[Arthur]

Me and the Generac will try you fellows again. It's so cold,I can't do much checking it out. I did get a few pic's today and that might help even though it's hard to see anything. I will also try to show a pic of the starter since it's already off and apart. It is an American Bosh with SMH 12 on the brush end cover. I've tried to find information,but haven't had any luck yet. I don't know if I mentioned that I found, May 1972 date on the air cleaner cartridge. If you know something about this compact unit,I sure would appreciate you sharing it with me.I will probably find some way to crank this booger,can't stand it much longer. Thanks for any help. Arthur
Ps. I forgot how already,hmm,must be age

[Arthur]

Every photo I send is a test.

[Arthur]

I'll try again.

[Arthur]

If this don't work.I'm going to bed.I resized to 50 and below and it goes back up when I up load.

Arthur

What you have is a genuine genrack engine, I have one near the same age only it is attached at the crank shaft ... but is made by genrack, I have found it near impossible to get any information on these units. they will give you some from BS but it is rather limited. as long as you can adapt another engine with belt that would be a way to go. that is unless your unit can be made to run, if so then run it till it drops ... My unit needs a trigger or exciter, they call it both, it is available for around a hundred bucks but I will not invest that much into a unit that is as old as it is. will just part it out or throw it in the back room as a dust collector. hope this helps.paul

[Arthur]

Hello all,
You might not want to hear about it,but let me tell it anyway. I found a place yesterday that repairs several makes of gen's,so maybe I can find some parts close to home.

The starter being pointed up on this vertical generac engine,had taken on water somehow. This water made it's way down to the lower end cover and ponded in the Oilite ? bearing. It built up until it rusted the head of the bolt that the starter cable is attached to and disconnected 2 brush wires that were welded or soldered to this bolt. The end of the armature shaft was rusted too. After checking for shorts and opens,everything checked good. I thought about turning the end of the shaft and pressing a thin sleeve on. After putting the armature in the lathe and polishing it up,I don't think I need a sleeve.I can always do that later if I need to. My next plan is to disconnect the belt in case the alternator needs attention and see if this booger will talk to me. My Grand Pa used to say, measure twice and cut once,it slows me down, but it saves a lot of work and regret. I still plan to post a picture or two if I can. I enjoy reading how you fellows get out of a corner,so I thought you might have some tips for me. Thank Y'all for the good responses. Best regards to all.........Arthur

[Raymond]

What you are experiencing is the reason you should stay away from GENERAC. They don't manufacture anything. They have stuff made by oem's with their name on it. Parts and identification have always been a big problem, but the main ones are the stuff ain't heavy, breaks easy, hard to find parts. Save your self some money and lots of time and find an old ONAN DJC 12KW, or DJE 6 KW also built as gas, natural or LP,or gasoline. Theres tons of them out there and the ID and parts are readily available, and they're very sturdy.

[Arthur]

Hello Ramond, Thanks for the tip. I wouldn't have bought this thing,it was given to me and curosity caused me to bring it home. You have helped satisfy the curosity part. I was more interested in the 2 bearing gen than anything else. Since I don't know much about generators,I reckon stuff like this is good to learn on, and I have an engine I have never seen one like it before,especially the base. Could you tell me what it means by ...rpm NG2440 ? Is it a 36 or 1800 rpm Alternator ? I do appreciate your response, and I understand what you are saying. Best regards ....Arthur

[Arthur]

Hello Raymond, I realized I had spelled your name wrong as soon as I submited. Excuse please ,It was just a mistake. Thanks again,and if you know anything about the rpm and hp,would you post that or e mail it. regards Arthur

[Arthur]

Originally Posted by rockytopp

What you have is a genuine genrack engine, I have one near the same age only it is attached at the crank shaft ... but is made by genrack, I have found it near impossible to get any information on these units.

Hey Paul,thanks for the info. If the spark plug is a true indication of it's condition,I want to go far enough to maybe learn something from it. Could you tell me what weight oil to use and what it means by....RPM - NG 2440 . You must have had a 3600 rpm if it was directly coupled. Is Generac known for 3600 on their small stuff ? Maybe I'll luck up and find a manual somewhere. I have several engines and tractors that would handle this alt. even at 3600.
I can't find out what that,RPM- NG 2440 applies to.It must be engine rpm. The alt. is ratioed a wee bit higher than the engine. Would it mean natural gas ? It has an electric fuel pump and carb. If you don't mind,I would appreciate you helping me with these questions.I thank all of you for helping me,and I'll help you if I can. regards Arthur

[kchmn]

Hi Arthur,
I have an old Generac too. Mine is a model6244-2, but sounds very similar to yours. It has the upright or verticle engine and a belt drive to the gen. This one is a Wisconsin engine that was specially made for Genreac. I have had no luck at all finding parts for it. I have no spark, and this is an electronic ignition set up. I have to do more searching for a source. This engine has pressure lube and an oil filter that is near the bottom of the generator. I have the owners manual for my generator and may be able to help you with yours. This engine is rated at 12 hp. I dont see anything about rpm in the book but it says it is a 230/115 vold gererator. Let me know if you have any luck finding parts. Sincerely , Kirk Hoffman

[Arthur]

Hello Kirk,thanks for responding. I was beginning to think I had the only one like this that Generac built. I am trying through a service center,to get a manual,but I don't know yet. Telling me about your's,does help since I have nothing at all. Is your Amp. rating the same as mine ---24.8/17.4 ? and was it an RV unit ? I guess we can arrive at the rpm by checking the cycles and Volts. At least we will be in the ball park. My oil filter hangs under the bottom and the air filter lays horizontal on the side. I will send my e mail address so you can contact me and if you can,send me a pic of your unit. I am going out now and see if I can learn more about mine,I'll send a pic of my unit shortly. Anything that you think would help,will be greately appreciated. I will remember you if I can find any info over my way. Best regards, Arthur.......( edwards@beaufortco.com )

[scottingvaldsen]

I worked on these generators years ago and if i remember corectly the engine is a wisconsin engine that generac bought just as a short block and generac made the rest of the parts. The engine runs faster than the generator to get more hp out it a the higher rpm range. I dont think there are any parts avalible for this unit any more thay were form the 1970s
What parts thay have are very fragile and break easily becarefull.
Generac is still in business in Waukeeshs Wisconsin only thay make large gensets now.

[Arthur]

Thank you Scott,although the responses indicate I have a real LU,LU this time,maybe I can use one or the other for something. Your help is much appreciated,everybody knows something that I don't. I did find that a good starter and generator service center can get starter parts. Best regards, Arthur