Kohler Generator

[TheLastColdBeer]

Craigslist is an addiction, I view it everyday & force myself not to respond to ads. This one I couldn't resist. Kohler K181 powered 3kw genset. Gave it a tug, it had compression, knew it would run. Threw away the sediment bowl, replaced the fuel lines, filed the points and it was purring like a kitten. All terminals powered a drill, haven't put the multi-meter to them yet, but it responds to it's solenoid, and idles down. Ordered a carb kit, the o-ring & gaskets are dried up junk. Already have friends wanting the engine, we'll see.

 

[Smeggie]

35 minutes ago, TheLastColdBeer said:

Craigslist is an addiction, I view it everyday & force myself not to respond to ads. This one I couldn't resist. Kohler K181 powered 3kw genset. Gave it a tug, it had compression, knew it would run. Threw away the sediment bowl, replaced the fuel lines, filed the points and it was purring like a kitten. All terminals powered a drill, haven't put the multi-meter to them yet, but it responds to it's solenoid, and idles down. Ordered a carb kit, the o-ring & gaskets are dried up junk. Already have friends wanting the engine, we'll see.

 

Nice find, they don't make them like that anymore!

Did you have to pull the flywheel to get to the points?

As they say, one man's junk is another mans treasure!

[lTplkey336]

Nice find. I too am addicted to craigs list. Look at it everyday wishing I have gotten stuff but abstain from buying. lol

[J3st3r]

I bought a 1964 3500w Winco Maxi-Watt with a 7.5hp Wisconsin S7D for $75 last fall. Damn thing runs absolutely Perfect after going through the fuel system and cleaning the gen head up and replacing 1 of the regulator Capacitors. I will change the other one out as well because it's most likely Electrically Leaky after 60+ years.

Being on the ground side of the regulator if it does go bad all it will do is cause 10-15v higher voltage.

 

This thing has had very very little use over the last 60 some years. Starts in 1 pull and purrs like a kitten.

You can not beat the older stuff for Dependability.

I'm a sucker for the small Kohler and Wisconsin engines. They can dead dependable with very little maintenance. That's alot more than I can say about any of this newer shit.

 

Edited July 21, 2022 by J3st3r

[J3st3r]

Engine will need the Crankshaft replaced to be usable on anything but that genny. The crank will be short and Specifically Tapered for that particular gen head.

I can get you part numbers for a  K141/K160/K161 Std journal 1" x 3.75" Crankshaft if you are interested.

If you want Easiest way to pop the Stator/Commutator off. Pump 5-7 pumps of Grease in the bolt hole and push the bolt back in until it contacts the grease. Then Hit the end of the bolt square on the head with a Heavy Hammer 3-4 times.  The Hydraulic Pressure of the Grease compressing will force it to release from the Taper. 

 

I'm a small engine mechanic and I've had my ESA (Engine Service Association) Certification for over 30 years. I try to know my shit when it comes to small engines.

 

Here are crankshaft specs from 1 of my binders. Sorry it's kinda washed out I'm inside with the sun coming through the window lol. I'll get you a better copy if you want.

 

 

 

 

Edited July 21, 2022 by J3st3r

[J3st3r]

8 hours ago, SGTSmeg said:

Nice find, they don't make them like that anymore!

Did you have to pull the flywheel to get to the points?

As they say, one man's junk is another mans treasure!

 

Should be Magneto Ignition under the flywheel and Points under the cover near the Cam Cover on those. A little hard to find Magnetos for if it does not have spark but I've converted them to run aftermarket Tecumseh Mags.

Tecumseh 30560a works well with a new condenser.

Old K161 Mag

 

 

Old K161 with Tecumseh 30560a Mag.

Edited July 21, 2022 by J3st3r

[TheLastColdBeer]

9 hours ago, SGTSmeg said:

Nice find, they don't make them like that anymore!

Did you have to pull the flywheel to get to the points?

As they say, one man's junk is another mans treasure!

The old K-model Kohlers had external points & condensers, very nice to work on. If you treated them nice, they almost never needed attention. The solenoid is an electromagnet. Attracts a steel plate attached to the governor. Had to rev up the hand drill numerous times just to watch the plate swing back & forth. Fun for all ages.

[J3st3r]

Mine has that as well. Winco calls it the "Conserv-er" lol. Mine is under the small square box on top of the old Zenith carburetor.

Basically what it does is control engine idle. When power is not being used the engine will Idle. As soon as it detects voltage draw it clicks over a relay in the control box which de-energizes the electro magnet and allows the engine to go full throttle 3600rpm or 60hz which ever comes 1st.

Some of the older Winco units were unregulated and used a Bridge rectifier to regulate voltage and operate at a fixed RPM of 1200rpm @60hz.

 

Got any Pics of the Conserv-er on that Carter model N carb? Would be interesting to see how they mounted it.

 

Edited July 21, 2022 by J3st3r

[TheLastColdBeer]

Spilled a little gin walking over, thirsty Thursday y'know.

[major-mark63]

Old generator maybe ac power  is too glitchy not regulated  good enough to put sensitive stuff to run on it...

 

[J3st3r]

They are regulated with a Regulator/Rectifier that is bolted to the bearing plate under the rear gen head cover.  I still wouldn't use it with anything that has Modern Electronics in it though without having someone go though it.

I had to buy a cheap but decent multi-meter to get mine usable after it sat unused for so long. It was running @ 147v and over 70hz before I replaced 1 60 year old blown Capacitor and did a few adjustments on the governor to get it to hold a steady load @60hz with 2 older 1500W space heaters acting as load banks.

Mine is 115v 230v 60hz 3500w genny. It will easily run a 3000W load but once you dump the load off, it runs a little high @ 117V 63hz until the Conserv-er pulls the throttle down to an idle. Works for a backup power for lights and the blower on the wood furnace. That's what I use it for when the power goes out. I'm sure that if I replace the other capacitor that it could run a Microwave or Refrigerator without blowing up components. Wouldn't trust it to run my PC though No Way lol.

 

 

lol @TheLastColdBeer mine has a box on it as well (it's like being Mooned eh?) but it pulls the throttle on the carb instead of the Governor arm. Looks like someone was "tweaking" the plate a little.

 

Anywho they are really neat to see and work on. 

Check this Youtube channel out. Mike helped me find a couple Capacitors and get mine setup and Load Bank tested without having any Fancy Hi-Tech equipment. I talked with him back and forth Via Email for a couple weeks to track down a few parts. Come to find out that his shop is pretty close to where my brother lives.

He's got some really decent and some really huge stuff in his "collection" He is a full time Emergency / Stand-By power generation technician by trade.

https://www.youtube.com/user/SmallEngineMechanic/videos

Edited July 22, 2022 by J3st3r

[loaderXI]

Great read guys...My mothers husband was a small engine mechanic his entire life...He worked for Sears and then Ace before he retired so I spoke with him often about his tinkering with everything "small"...About as small as I ever got was a 72 1.3ltr Honda engine lol

[rexbowan]

Great info! Nice find.