Generator Maintenance

[Loren]

Our generator has busted engine mounts. I want to replace them before it becomes a problem.

The only place I've found that lists the exact part is here:
http://generatorguru.com/engine-mounts- ... -77384440/

They are expensive ($45/set plus shipping), not in stock, and just as cheesy as the busted originals.



Here's how they mount to the generator:


Looking at the photos, all four are the same, and the way the rubber is offset would make it easy to just cut out the old rubber and drill the brackets for a generic industrial replacement vibration isolator, like this:
http://www.amazon.com/JW-Winco-351-3-51 ... P5RS664M9Y

I can get a set of those for $28. (could probably get them cheaper somewhere, but pay more for shipping)

Anybody got any thoughts on this?

[Native]

45-28 = 17.
Is it really worth the work to save 17 bucks?

[Loren]

Considering that the standard replacements are currently on back order from the only place that has them, and going this route allows us to use commonly available generic industrial replacements that look like they might be better made?

Yeah, probably worth it.

[twistedwankel]

No wonder there's so many Chinese. They can't make a decent rubber.

[Loren]

Yeah, but the engine in that generator fires right up every time!

[Native]

It's japanese.

[Solar]

Looking at the photos, all four are the same, and the way the rubber is offset would make it easy to just cut out the old rubber and drill the brackets for a generic industrial replacement vibration isolator, like this:
http://www.amazon.com/JW-Winco-351-3-51 ... P5RS664M9Y

Anybody got any thoughts on this?

That was my thought, just cut out the old rubber and drill holes through the mounts, and connect them with left over poly bushings from a set of endlinks with bolts washers and lock nuts.

[twistedwankel]

Looks like a job for "racer's tape". Red Green has some.

You guys will come up with a proper solution I'm sure. Little yellow koni's? Or just use yellow tape?

[twistedwankel]

Yeah, but the engine in that generator fires right up every time!

They invented fireworks.

[twistedwankel]

It's japanese.

Pretty sure it was farmed out to China in exchange for some more rare earth by the Japanese.

I have a '79 Yamaha generator and it is still like new other than replacing the plastic gas cap the ethanol ate up. Ethanol also ate up my son in law's 2012 Ducati Gas Tank cause they don't use ethanol in Italy I guess. He's been waiting 6 months for a new one as they are proprietary. Or farmed out to China?

Maybe just put some plastic wheels on the thing and let it jiggle on them? Or an old Harley frame would be cool?

[twistedwankel]

https://www.google.com/search?q=using+3 ... 66&bih=663

I just googled "using 3d printer to make engine mounts".

Someone on this board has access to one certainly?

Don't they only cost $1500 each now?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsmfkXHF4Ts I want one of these.

[Loren]

Update:

I ordered the round shock mounts, acquired some bolts and washers, and had Drew remove the mounts from the generator for me to play with this week.

We found that two of the mounts were still good (from the "compressed" side), and as you can see, the replacements are a bit larger. So, I opted to only modify the two broken ones and left the two good ones for now.

Johnny Lambert did a little bit of welding to make the mounting flange large enough to put the bolt hole in the right place and fixed them up to match the originals as much as possible. If all goes well, they'll fit well enough and they are WAY larger and higher quality than the originals. Should last forever.

We'll find out how it goes on Saturday.


closer

[Loren]

This plan worked okay except that there wasn't as much extra space in the generator frame as I thought. The taller mounts were a tight fit, but Drew managed to fight with it enough to get them in.

We're okay for now, but our next round will be to mod the other two mounts the same way, and then replace all four of the mounts with a thinner version of the same vibration isolator.

These are definitely the right solution, btw. They have enough give to do their job, but are much more substantial and will last much longer. If they don't last "forever", replacing them in the future will be a lot easier and cheaper.

[Loren]

Bingo:
http://www.amazon.com/JW-Winco-352-2-51 ... PDKIKX0DER

Same mount, .75" height rather than 1.63" height. Package of 5 for $18.xx shipped.

[Lava Speed 05]

Poor Drew bled for nothing... Ready for round two? ;-)

[Loren]

Drew bled? Was his blood red? I've always wondered about that.

[Lava Speed 05]

I can not confirm or deny the color of his blood as I fear for my own well being...

[dbeng]

I can not confirm or deny the color of his blood as I fear for my own well being...

So do we have to refer to Drew as freaky Drew instead of freaking Drew from now on?