You can try field flashing the generator. Get a corded electric drill and plug it into the outlet on the gen. Start the gen, squeeze the trigger and turn the chuck by hand being careful not to get your hand caught in the chuck. The gen should start producing voltage and the chuck will then turn by itself. If not, try turning the chuck in the other direction.

 

I'll give that a try, thanks.

In the meantime, I'm wondering what may have caused that to happen?

 

Most of the time, it happens from just sitting. They should be started and run with at least a small load every month or two. I usually run mine every three months and after twenty years, so far I haven't had that problem.

 

The slip rings draw moisture and get dark, this won't let the brushes make contact. it don't take much.--I cleaned up 2 non-running units and found this to be the problem on both! also had to clean my Linc. 150 weld-an-power welder, same deal , dirty slip rings! thanks; sonny

 

Appreciate the additional replies.

Right, once it's going again I'll be sure to run the electrical power every time I start the engine.

This is my first generator and I never knew the power also needs maintaining, like the engine does.

That said, a friend of mine just used his generator for the first time in 10 years the other day and once they got the engine going good, it ran just fine.

But not mine, lol.

 

Bill, that doesn’t happen to every generator that has been sitting, but it is still a fairly common occurrence. Let us know if you get it working.

 

I'll be trying the above procedure that you have suggested this week-end. In the meantime, I called Troy-Bilt and, as figured, they couldn't tell me a whole lot, but gave me some names of local Authorized Dealers in case I need one. One of them I know and like.

 

I tried to Field Flash my Generator this week-end but it did not work.

I did some further research online, but with my limited Electrical knowledge, it's a little beyond what I want to get involved with, so in the shop it goes.

Luckily one of the Authorized Dealers is someone I know and like and who has always been reasonable.

As, my luck, the 2-Year Warranty just ran out in December.

 

It was worth a shot. Sorry it didn't work. Let us know what they find.

 

OK, thanks.

Although I may take me a week or two to get it down there.

 

I'm retired Air Force. We used to have 40 generators in my shop.

We had to start each one and run it under a load every month. We used 2 or 3 of the 1,000 watt quartz/halogen worklights for a load. A large motor would be even better because it would surge to start.

Most of these worklights are now LED, which would be no help at all. But you may still be able to find the quartz lights for a while.

Cal

 

These newer generators like to blow voltage regulators. Lots of YouTube videos about them.

 

Appreciate the additional info.

Thanks

Bill