Old two cylinder generator value.

[Martin Hocking]

Farmer I work for has been asked if he’s like to sell his old generator.

He’s had it nearly 30 years and the gypsy’s he bought it from had 20 years before him.

It’s 5kva which is probably weedy by modern standards but it’ll probably run for another 50 years.

He hasn’t a clue how much to ask for it…anyone have any idea?
Sorry terrible pictures.

 

[Memmeddu]

This thing it's not going to be just 5KVA ...
The engine is most likely a 20HP at least

 

[dieselsamurai]

This thing it's not going to be just 5KVA ...
The engine is most likely a 20HP at least

if its anything like a petter PH2 or lister twin its 16hp max

 

[George A2Y]

Looks like a Petter or Lister, Listers are mostly green coloured. Probably is 5 Kw, my twin cylinder Lister Start O Matic is 6 Kw. Don't know about value.

 

[Martin Hocking]

Thanks all.

Better pictures, dogs are out at lunchtime and are very nosey!

10hp it would seem.

It’s a lister.

I can’t find a plate for the generator yet.

Is a startomatic a type of generator?

 

[chrismac]

The start o matic has a motor-generator combined, it senses a load and two 12v batteries spin the motor getting the engine up to speed before a few clicks and clonks and now your generating power. There is a separate square control box which goes with that type of generator. Is there a starter switch on that or hand start with half compression.

 

[Martin Hocking]

Thanks @chrismac it’s a crank start with decompression.
Apparently there’s a space for a starter but apparently they are like gold dust that’s what he was told anyway…

 

[OJCar]

A Lister 10HP motor.

Could you wipe the dirt off the number plate so I can read the serial number?
or just type it onto the thread?

Then we should be able to tell you which model of twin cylinder Lister you have.

 

[frank horton]

I'd be happy to own /occ use it but then I like old stuff.......
The starter should be a wind up clock work thing.......they have been rare for over 30 years.....
dif to say a price but running it could be worth a couple of hundred to an enthusiast.....
not many would want it.....and even fewer modernistas could start it.....hahaha...
for me it'd have to be a bit better than scrap.....

 

[Erie Fred]

Price is based upon:
1. It starting
2. it keeps running
3. it moves electrons properly and safely.

 

[Martin Hocking]

A Lister 10HP motor.

Could you wipe the dirt off the number plate so I can read the serial number?
or just type it onto the thread?

Then we should be able to tell you which model of twin cylinder Lister you have.

I make it out to be:
863sr220

 

[Martin Hocking]

Price is based upon:
1. It starting
2. it keeps running
3. it moves electrons properly and safely.

I’d be surprised if it doesn’t do all of those things.

Edit: it only stopped being used because the farm got connected to the mains. Mind you that was a while ago!

 

[OJCar]

I make it out to be:
863sr220

863rd SR2 engine made in 1970

Limited to 1500rpm

 

[Erie Fred]

I’d be surprised if it doesn’t do all of those things.

Edit: it only stopped being used because the farm got connected to the mains. Mind you that was a while ago!

Might want to warm up the windings a bit to drive off any moisture, have a go at a megger on them.

 

[Trevorleach]

When I was a kid in Norfolk the lacal farm had a green one of these providing their power.

 

[Martin Hocking]

Might want to warm up the windings a bit to drive off any moisture, have a go at a megger on them.

I think you may be overestimating the the level of equipment we have to hand! The closest we’d get to warming the windings is lighting a fire underneath!
I do very much appreciate the advice though…

 

[Erie Fred]

I think you may be overestimating the the level of equipment we have to hand! The closest we’d get to warming the windings is lighting a fire underneath!
I do very much appreciate the advice though…

with all the rust, humidty must be very high there.
If you light this thing off, and it punctures the windings, your SOL.
If you bring it indoors, and try to dry it up a bit, it may work just fine.

If you've ever meggered motor windings, a humid day will make the readings drop pretty dramatically.

 

[brightspark]

been on a few farms that have a genny that run of the pto.they are fitted with small heaters in the alternator that plug in to the mains to keep them dry

 

[Martin Hocking]

When I was a kid in Norfolk the lacal farm had a green one of these providing their power.

Seems to have been quite common thing in norfolk. Chap I worked for ran the farm from it while duelling it out with the council getting permission to live there.

As an interloper in these parts I find it fascinating how much Norfolk life has changed in quite a compressed time. The other farmer who asked about buying the generator grew up washing in the river and horses did the farm work he drives a 200hp tractor now! Still prefers to crap in an out house though!

 

[Martin Hocking]

with all the rust, humidty must be very high there.
If you light this thing off, and it punctures the windings, your SOL.
If you bring it indoors, and try to dry it up a bit, it may work just fine.

If you've ever meggered motor windings, a humid day will make the readings drop pretty dramatically.

Sorry Fred you’ll have to excuse my ignorance.

Puncture the windings? You mean the insulation breaking down?

SOL? Significantly out of luck?