portable generator burn

[Padre]

Just an FYI for anyone considering a portable generator.I bought a Generac 5000 watt generator.The brushes went bad. This should be about about a $15.00 fix.But NO! After 2 weeks of getting the runaround from these people I was told that they bought these generators from another company and can't get a simple set of brushes for them. Have to replace the whole generator. So I'm out of about $750.00 over a simple 3 screw, 5 minute fix.Corperate greed rules our world.

[DM]

If you can get the old brushes out, i don't see why you can't make a set to fit, out of something else? The brushes can be sanded to reshape them or make them smaller. I've made a set that way before...

BTW, i had a similar problem with a generator i bought from Sears... NO parts for it! It was built by Onan, and they didn't have the part either, and wanted the cost of a new gen set to make me one, as it would be a "one of"!

DM

[indyguy]

Unless it has changed you got the whole brush assy from Generac. They did not sell brushes alone.

To be honest I have never seen a cheap Generac last long enough to wear out a set of brushes. They are a cheap throw away generator.

[keydl]

Most brushes are avail by size from a full service auto electric shop - under $10, many will solder them into the holder for that. Check the slip rings for round and finish.

[Bones]

I was just looking for the rubber supports that hold the generator/engine in its cage. These reduced the vibration on the machine. Mine had gotten old and ripped in half when I tilted the generator on its side. These 4 rubber supports looked like something I could find at any small engine store but they were not available anywhere. I finally made my own out of some strong springs and bolts. I also made some out of some pieces of thick rubber I had laying around from a old loading dock bumper. Both worked good but the rubber worked the best.

[Padre]

Thanks for the help. I tried a local generator rebuild shop to get just a brush to solder back in and didn't get far. But I'm sure I can find a brush out of something that I can sand down to fit. Why didn't I think of that? The brushes didn't wear out but one got stuck in the holder. Thanks again for the help.

[DM]

Take the stuck brush out, and use sandpaper on it, until it slides easily in it's holder.

DM