Possible to convert 110v generator to 220/240v?

[Smouser]

I have been given a small 110v only Honda petrol generator.
It is of no use to me while it has got a 110v output only hence the question if it can be converted.

There are 4 wires coming from the 'alternator' (blue, black, white and brown).
My initial thoughts are that this is a 115v only alternator as it looks like blue and black are 'jumped' together to form the neutral side of the output and the red and brown are also connected together going through the overload switch as the live side of the output.
The two yellow wires coming out of the alternator are going to a capacitor.

Any thoughts?

 

[GRW]

It's probably a dedicated 110v for site safety, so it has 2 55v windings and a CTE "centre tap to earth" arrangement (so same arrangement as a 110v safety transformer output).
Those can't be altered to 240v I'm afraid - you'd need to replace the whole alternator (which can be done no probs, but whether it's worth the cost or not....)

 

[Smouser]

It's probably a dedicated 110v for site safety, so it has 2 55v windings and a CTE "centre tap to earth" arrangement (so same arrangement as a 110v safety transformer output).
Those can't be altered to 240v I'm afraid - you'd need to replace the whole alternator (which can be done no probs, but whether it's worth the cost or not....)

Thank you.

By looking at the wiring I suspected that it might be the case that it can't be rewired/converted.
I will probably sell it on as I don't really have a need for a generator anyway. The Electricity supply is just too reliable in this country (not that we can afford the electricity, but that is another matter).

 

[Barking Mat]

What would happen if you got a 240 to 110 volt site transformer and wired the 110 output from the genny to the 110 volt side ? Would you get 240 out ?

No idea ? Probably a silly idea.

I'd probably try it....

 

[Memmeddu]

What would happen if you got a 240 to 110 volt site transformer and wired the 110 output from the genny to the 110 volt side ? Would you get 240 out ?

No idea ? Probably a silly idea.

I'd probably try it....

That's exactly first thing I've thought

 

[Smouser]

What would happen if you got a 240 to 110 volt site transformer and wired the 110 output from the genny to the 110 volt side ? Would you get 240 out ?

No idea ? Probably a silly idea.

I'd probably try it....

It could work in theory, but then you need to lug the transformer with you too and because I don't really have a use for the generator it sounds like too much hassle.
However, I tried to reverse wire a site transformer to take 240v and output ~380v ( but it immediately tripped the MCB).

I am not 100% sure if all of the site transformers can be reverse-wired.

 

[voipio]

If the windings are connected in parallel, as they appear to be, and give 110V, then connecting them in series should give 220V (or 0V if the connection is the wrong way round).

 

[GRW]

If the windings are connected in parallel, as they appear to be, and give 110V, then connecting them in series should give 220V (or 0V if the connection is the wrong way round).

They should be 55v windings x 2, and wired in series giving 110v, and 55v between either output leg and the centre tapping - so no chance of getting 220v

 

[Smouser]

Now I am intrigued....

I will probably have to get in there with a multimeter and carefully do some measurements.

The generator is an old Stephill generator (can't find the manual/wiring diagram) but I have found the wiring diagram for the newer version which I attached.

If I am reading the wiring diagram correct it looks like it might be possible to wire for 220v.......

I could possibly add a changeover switch and a 240v 16A plug so that it is a dual output generator.......

 

[GRW]

Now I am intrigued....

I will probably have to get in there with a multimeter and carefully do some measurements.

The generator is an old Stephill generator (can't find the manual/wiring diagram) but I have found the wiring diagram for the newer version which I attached.

If I am reading the wiring diagram correct it looks like it might be possible to wire for 220v.......

I could possibly add a changeover switch and a 240v 16A plug so that it is a dual output generator.......

I think the drawings you're looking at for the dual voltage... are based upon the standard 2 x 115v windings - not 2 x 55v winding alternators done to meet Site Safety 55v-0-55v requirement.

On the dual voltage ones, the 115 is provided off one winding and the centre-point only, while the 230v socket is fed by both Legs, so has 2 x 115v windings in series, giving it it's 230v.

 

[Smouser]

Thanks @GRW.

That makes sense. Think I will still get a multimeter on there just to 100% confirm.

 

[Memmeddu]

The drawings shows sockets connection not windings
All through, the sockets are connected in PARALLEL

 

[Matrixx]

it a 115VAC unit, if it was dual voltage it would say .

 

[MCKDAVID]

I'd flog it to someone needing to work on sites (110V) and buy a 240V one, way easier.....but then again I'm a lazy tart...

 

[voipio]

The wiring colours and positions in the 4-way socket, shown in the original posting image, correspond to the plug wiring colours shown in the PDF circuit diagram. In the dual voltage variants, the 115V and 230V outlet sockets are not wired in parallel. Indeed, in the 230V switch position, the L and N on the 115V sockets are shorted together by the switch, though this doesn't happen to the 230V socket when the switch is in the 115V position.

 

[GRW]

..... the 230V switch position, the L and N on the 115V sockets are shorted together by the switch, though this doesn't happen to the 230V socket when the switch is in the 115V position.

Yeah, I was looking at too. Kinda an odd way of doing it, had me head scratching.
I'm thinking maybe the 2 coils are used in parallel in this setup... on the 115v side only perhaps ( as in the centrepoint becomes N, and both Legs feed the sockets)? The c/o switch setup has 2 x 115v outlets v 1 x 230v, suggesting that you're getting equivalent power on either voltage (as opposed to half on 115v if tapped off 1 coil only)

 

[voipio]

In the dual voltage setup, the 115V setting puts the two generator windings in parallel. This allows double the current that is available on the 230V setting, when the windings are connected in series. The available power output will the same e.g. if the rated current is 10A at 115V ie 1150Watts, then 5A will be the rated output at 230V ie 1150Watts.

 

[Smouser]

I can confidently say that I am now more confused than ever

What is the final consensus?
Is it a 115v only generator or not


Here is the link to the newer version of my generator. In the specifications, there is an option to select a single-voltage version of the generator.

However, the question remains if they actually swop the generator out or if it is all just different wiring methods.

 

[GRW]

I can confidently say that I am now more confused than ever

What is the final consensus?
Is it a 115v only generator or not


Here is the link to the newer version of my generator. In the specifications, there is an option to select a single-voltage version of the generator.

However, the question remains if they actually swop the generator out or if it is all just different wiring methods.

View attachment 382412

I remain pretty certain it's 115v only.
You can check easily enough though by measuring at the multiplug.
If you can pick up 230v then you're up and running (but I can't see you will).

 

[Smouser]

No more speculation!
I went outside to get evidence.

I jumped the two wires in the plug as shown on the 230v drawing.

I then jammed the multimeter's leads in the two remaining spaces in the socket.

I then closed my eyes and pulled the starter
The engine roared into life and there was no smoke and no sparks

This is what I got

So, finally, we know.
Stephill only uses one engine and generator on these models and the voltage outputs and sockets are customisable through the wiring.

Thanks all for your input.