Author Topic: Anyone know about old generators? (Read 4967 times)

hoodellyhoo · « **on:** August 17, 2008, 03:04:10 PM »

My dad got this generator a few years ago to run our sump pump when the power goes out and I'm trying my best to find info on it. It was used for years at my dad's fire department for powering equipment on-site. It does run and work but the gas tank has a leak and the carb should be gone through.

From the little I found online today it is a 2 stroke Hoimelite model 23A 115 that was last produces in 1955 according to here: http://www.oldengine.org/members/diesel/Misc/HomeliteGen.htm. It possibly dates back to WWII era. I saw one a few years back at a tractor show that had a lightbulb where the newer outlets are on top. I bought a photocopied manual off ebay today that might be able to tell me more.

Anyone know anything?

scunny · « **Reply #1 on:** August 17, 2008, 03:07:52 PM »

ride it like you stole it

hoodellyhoo · « **Reply #2 on:** August 17, 2008, 03:15:58 PM »

Never thought of that! And it's even a hybrid! (just have to hook up that old sewing machine motor I have) Watch out barstool racing here I come!

bill440cars · « **Reply #3 on:** August 17, 2008, 06:03:28 PM »

Never messed with one like that. I used to work on military generators when I was at Fort Chaffee in the Civil Service. I have worked on the 1.5, 3, 5, 10, 15, 30 45, 60 and 100 KW Generators with 4 cycle engines from a little 2 cylinder up through 6 cyl Cat Diesels I've never even seen a 2 cycle generator, much less messed with one and it's been about 12 yrs since I've done anything with one though. That IS a unique piece though.

rbmgf7 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 17, 2008, 07:15:19 PM »

what era is that from? jurassic, turassic...? lol

my dad aquired an old 1 or 2HP briggs (from the 20's) from my grandfather. still turns and has compression (may run if we tried to get it to). the only way we found info on it was to write briggs.

hoodellyhoo · « **Reply #5 on:** August 17, 2008, 07:27:08 PM »

My dad sent an email to Homelite with the info from the tag and they said they didn't have any info on anything that old. Bummer.

mattcb350f · « **Reply #6 on:** August 18, 2008, 04:15:07 PM »

If you need a back up generator in a hurry to run the sump pump when the power goes out, I'm not sure I'd want to count on that old gem

Just Kiddin'

As long as you can get er' to start ok it should work great

I've got an old Eaton's generator - 1950's or 60's era. It's very heavy.

When I finally got the engine running well, the generator didn't work. All I had to do is sand the 'communicator?' and the brushes and it work great.

I don't know anything about the Homelite's though, but I would bet the generator part is pretty genaric.

Matt.

Jonesy · « **Reply #7 on:** August 18, 2008, 05:21:46 PM »

Homelite made a trash pump with the same motor setup (the boxy tank at the bottom with the oil measuring cup inside) Runs like a typical 2-stroke, might need to clean/replace the points and go through the carb. The key thing- does it put out juice? If not, the field coil may need to have the brushes cleaned and be reflashed. If not, you may not be able to fix it. If it runs, try to get electricity from it. If it puts out power, only then bother going through the engine.

Steve F · « **Reply #8 on:** August 19, 2008, 09:47:16 AM »

Quote from: hoodellyhoo on August 17, 2008, 07:27:08 PM

My dad sent an email to Homelite with the info from the tag and they said they didn't have any info on anything that old. Bummer.

That thing is older than most, if not all, of the work force at HOMELITE!

eldar · « **Reply #9 on:** August 19, 2008, 12:00:10 PM »

It would commutator, matt. It is a common part of the armature shaft. the brushes ride on it and that is how electrical transfer takes place to or from the armature.
Very common to have to clean those parts and replace brushes.

hoodellyhoo · « **Reply #10 on:** August 19, 2008, 04:45:16 PM »

The last time my dad started it (about 2 years ago) he plugged a drill int the outlets and it worked so it still makes juice.

heffay · « **Reply #11 on:** August 19, 2008, 04:56:32 PM »

dayum hoodel... nuthin' but muscle there!
i like the rides that don't have all that flashy plastic but they really went minimalist with that one, huh?!
might wanna upgrade those mags.

so, you say just tie myself on with this... and steer w/ this?

ok. where's my goggles?

DarkRider · « **Reply #12 on:** August 20, 2008, 06:51:23 AM »

Quote from: heffay on August 19, 2008, 04:56:32 PM

dayum hoodel... nuthin' but muscle there!
i like the rides that don't have all that flashy plastic but they really went minimalist with that one, huh?!
might wanna upgrade those mags.

so, you say just tie myself on with this... and steer w/ this? ok. where's my goggles?

Heffay you are great for different sig quotes!! lol

heffay · « **Reply #13 on:** August 20, 2008, 07:05:57 AM »

tis ok... i yoinked your avatar a long time ago.

DarkRider · « **Reply #14 on:** August 20, 2008, 08:16:19 AM »

Quote from: heffay on August 20, 2008, 07:05:57 AM

tis ok... i yoinked your avatar a long time ago.

Lol didnt even notice

heffay · « **Reply #15 on:** August 20, 2008, 08:19:26 AM »

thats just cuz i simply have it... i don't use it here.

just thought it was pretty cool and right clicked to copy.

DarkRider · « **Reply #16 on:** August 20, 2008, 08:56:58 AM »

ah ok lol

333 · « **Reply #17 on:** August 20, 2008, 09:36:26 AM »

I got this when I Googled "Homelite 23a".
http://www.oldengine.org/members/diesel/Misc/HomeliteGen.htm

The home page is cool as well:
http://www.oldengine.org/members/diesel/Misc/front.htm

mattcb350f · « **Reply #18 on:** August 20, 2008, 04:06:30 PM »

Quote from: eldar, Master of the K8 Thunder! on August 19, 2008, 12:00:10 PM

It would commutator, matt. It is a common part of the armature shaft. the brushes ride on it and that is how electrical transfer takes place to or from the armature.
Very common to have to clean those parts and replace brushes.

Commutator!

i thought communicator sounded wrong, thanks eldar

+1 on the mag upgrade suggested by heffay. Perhaps some old school ground effect lights since you have the juice to spare

Matt.

hoodellyhoo · « **Reply #19 on:** August 20, 2008, 04:12:16 PM »

Quote from: 333 on August 20, 2008, 09:36:26 AM

I got this when I Googled "Homelite 23a".
http://www.oldengine.org/members/diesel/Misc/HomeliteGen.htm

The home page is cool as well:
http://www.oldengine.org/members/diesel/Misc/front.htm

Those are the only pages I could find about this thing. I couldn't even find an old generator forum. I guess I'm spoiled with SOHC4.net and expect to much.

mattcb350f · « **Reply #20 on:** August 20, 2008, 05:56:24 PM »

Quote from: hoodellyhoo on August 20, 2008, 04:12:16 PM

I couldn't even find an old generator forum. I guess I'm spoiled with SOHC4.net and expect to much.

I just found this one: http://www.smokstak.com/forum/

They have a 'generators & motors' thread near the bottom.

Matt.

hoodellyhoo · « **Reply #21 on:** August 20, 2008, 07:06:02 PM »

Quote from: mattcb350f on August 20, 2008, 05:56:24 PM

Quote from: hoodellyhoo on August 20, 2008, 04:12:16 PM
I couldn't even find an old generator forum. I guess I'm spoiled with SOHC4.net and expect to much.

I just found this one: http://www.smokstak.com/forum/

They have a 'generators & motors' thread near the bottom.

Matt.

near the bottom! NEAR THE BOTTOM!

FOOEY I say. I want to experience the entire subculture of vintage generator enthusiasts that MUST exist. I want to join the official Homelite model 23a owners registry. I want to post in the shameless generator post boost thread. I want to vote in generator of the month. I want to start a thread called "Resurrection of a Homelite Model 23a 115 1" and post pictures chronicling my work. I want to be warned never to shop at Old Generator Barn or purchase from the member "Brimmerator" because he didn't ship someone their "commutator".

I am a child of the generation of instant gratification and I want it NOW!

333 · « **Reply #22 on:** August 20, 2008, 07:21:54 PM »

Ooooo, perhaps a bounty hunter thread?

DarkRider · « **Reply #23 on:** August 20, 2008, 07:30:17 PM »

Quote from: hoodellyhoo on August 20, 2008, 07:06:02 PM

Quote from: mattcb350f on August 20, 2008, 05:56:24 PM
Quote from: hoodellyhoo on August 20, 2008, 04:12:16 PM
I couldn't even find an old generator forum. I guess I'm spoiled with SOHC4.net and expect to much.

I just found this one: http://www.smokstak.com/forum/

They have a 'generators & motors' thread near the bottom.

Matt.

near the bottom! NEAR THE BOTTOM!

FOOEY I say. I want to experience the entire subculture of vintage generator enthusiasts that MUST exist. I want to join the official Homelite model 23a owners registry. I want to post in the shameless generator post boost thread. I want to vote in generator of the month. I want to start a thread called "Resurrection of a Homelite Model 23a 115 1" and post pictures chronicling my work. I want to be warned never to shop at Old Generator Barn or purchase from the member "Brimmerator" because he didn't ship someone their "commutator".

I am a child of the generation of instant gratification and I want it NOW!

Ooooookkkk time to step away from the SOHC crackpipe there man lol

Steve F · « **Reply #24 on:** August 21, 2008, 04:44:31 AM »

[/quote]

near the bottom! NEAR THE BOTTOM!

FOOEY I say. I want to experience the entire subculture of vintage generator enthusiasts that MUST exist. I want to join the official Homelite model 23a owners registry. I want to post in the shameless generator post boost thread. I want to vote in generator of the month. I want to start a thread called "Resurrection of a Homelite Model 23a 115 1" and post pictures chronicling my work. I want to be warned never to shop at Old Generator Barn or purchase from the member "Brimmerator" because he didn't ship someone their "commutator".

I am a child of the generation of instant gratification and I want it NOW!
[/quote]LOL! LOL!

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Author Topic: Anyone know about old generators? (Read 4967 times)

eldar