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Jonnygsx's avatar
Jonnygsx
Explorer
Jan 10, 2014

No power from Honda Ex650 generator

Been searching the internet for the last 20min or so but can't find much specific to my generator, hoping someone here has some advice.

I purchased a non running honda ex650 recently. The seller told me it had not been run in a number of years. On disassembly it looked pretty clean on the inside, but the carburetor was assembled all wrong and some parts were missing. After ordering the correct parts and assembling everything correctly it started right up. But when i plug a saw into the 120v output its dead. I tried connecting a volt meter to the 12v output and it shows zero output.

I have read that some generators loose magnetism in the coil and need to be "flashed" by a quick DC source. But that that is only on generators without an inverter. I'm not positive but I think this generator has an inverter to create the 120v?

Any help is appreciated.
  • Jonnygsx's avatar
    Jonnygsx
    Explorer
    Jan 10, 2014
    MrWizard wrote:
    maybe this web page will help

    http://www.endtimesreport.com/dead_gen.html


    Hrm but would this work on my generator. WIF says above that it will not. I'd be willing to go buy a cheap harbor freight plug in drill if that might fix the issue. But if my generator doesn't work like that and theres no point then i guess theres no point.

    I just did some tests with a multimeter and there is no voltage coming to the front panel at all, so I guess ive narrowed down that its not a panel/circuit breaker issue.
  • Jonnygsx's avatar
    Jonnygsx
    Explorer
    Jan 10, 2014
    2oldman wrote:
    Try youtube. They have everything.


    They don't have this.
  • Tin_Pusher's avatar
    Tin_Pusher
    Explorer II
    Jan 10, 2014
    Jonnygsx wrote:
    Sounds easy enough, if only I had a corded drill!


    No problem, just use your circular saw :)

    (NO, really, DON'T)
  • Jonnygsx's avatar
    Jonnygsx
    Explorer
    Jan 10, 2014
    wif wrote:
    The EX650 doesn't have brushes or a commutator. It uses a small magnet on the rotor to induce a small current in a sub-winding in the stator. This current charges a condenser which is used to kick-start the generation process. You could have a bad sub-winding or main winding in the stator or a bad magnet on the rotor (sometimes a sharp knock can ruin it). Could also be the condenser itself or the wiring connections to any or all the above. Because it's not a conventional type generator (brushes, etc.), you cannot "flash" it. Try the EX650 pdf here: EX650 troubleshooting


    Ah thank you for this link, all I could find up to now was the basic manual. I will check this out with a meter tomorrow.
  • wif's avatar
    wif
    Explorer
    Jan 10, 2014
    The EX650 doesn't have brushes or a commutator. It uses a small magnet on the rotor to induce a small current in a sub-winding in the stator. This current charges a condenser which is used to kick-start the generation process. You could have a bad sub-winding or main winding in the stator or a bad magnet on the rotor (sometimes a sharp knock can ruin it). Could also be the condenser itself or the wiring connections to any or all the above. Because it's not a conventional type generator (brushes, etc.), you cannot "flash" it. Try the EX650 pdf here: EX650 troubleshooting
  • nevadanick's avatar
    nevadanick
    Explorer
    Jan 10, 2014
    We had that problem with a 5000 watt honda years ago and we used a cord from another 5000 with bare ends to get it going
  • Jonnygsx's avatar
    Jonnygsx
    Explorer
    Jan 10, 2014
    MrWizard wrote:
    I've only done this twice
    The last time I used a 3/8 electric drill
    I started the generator, plugged in the drill, put on leather gloves
    Squeezed the trigger and spun the drill Chuck with my hand
    The drill has brushes and residual magnetism and can out put a small current when manually spun
    You have to be very careful as the excited genset can cause the drill to start running at full speed


    Sounds easy enough, if only I had a corded drill!
  • MrWizard's avatar
    MrWizard
    Moderator
    Jan 10, 2014
    I've only done this twice
    The last time I used a 3/8 electric drill
    I started the generator, plugged in the drill, put on leather gloves
    Squeezed the trigger and spun the drill Chuck with my hand
    The drill has brushes and residual magnetism and can out put a small current when manually spun
    You have to be very careful as the excited genset can cause the drill to start running at full speed

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