QuestionQUESTION: What is the proper adjustment for the speed adjust screw on the gen? The gen runs fine but if I place a load on it the speed just reduces instead of picking up. Should the generator detect the load and automatically speed up, or do I have to adjust the speed adjustment manually for different loads? Should it function like an auto idle?
ANSWER: Hello Mike:
>>From your Description it Sounds like the Governor May be Stuck and Not Operating Correctly.
>>Can you Move the Governor Arm by Hand? If No, then Spray the Governor Shaft at the Engine Block with Penetrating and Lubricating Oil. Work the Governor Arm Back and Forth (it Does Not move Much. Less than 1/4" at the Governor Shaft Connection) Unitl it Moves Freely.
>>This Engine should Detect the Increase in Load and Compensate Accordingly.
>>You can View a Breakdown/IPL of the Mower/Engine at this Site Addy, http://hayward.arinet.com/scripts/EmpartISAPI.dll?MF&app=ASP&lang=EN&TF=Mainfram and Select the Catalog American Honda. Select the Correct Generator File and Scroll to your Generator and Select it. Now you can View the Generator in Breakdown Form.
>>The Governor System behaves like an Unending Tug of War between One of Two Governor Springs, which Pull the Throttle Toward the Open Position, and a Spinning Crankshaft, which Tries to Close the Throttle. When the Load on the Engine Increases - a Typical Example is when you Move your Running Lawn Mower from the Driveway to the Grass - Crankshaft Revolutions Drop. But the Governor Spring is Still Tugging, Causing the Throttle Plate to Open. In Response, a Larger Volume of Air-Fuel Mixture Enters the Carburetor, Increasing Engine Speed to Compensate for the Increased Load. The Crankshaft Speeds Up, and the Tug of War Resumes, until a New Equilibrium is Achieved. With Each Change in Load, the Tension Between the Governor Spring and the Load Brings about a New Equilibrium, known as the Engine's Governed Speed. Neither Side Wins until the Engine is Shut Off. At that Point, without the Crankshaft Spinning, the Governor Spring Pulls the Throttle to the Wide-Open Position. Two Types of Governors are Common on Small Engines - Mechanical and Pneumatic.
>>The Following is an Instruction File I Made for Setting the Governor Arm Correctly. Any Input is Appreciated. If you Removed/Loosened the Governor Arm from the Governor Shaft or Put the Linkage in a Bind when the Carburetor was Removed, then Reset the Governor. **To Reset the Governor; Loosen the Governor Arm Bolt and Turn the Governor Shaft Clockwise Until it Stops. Using the Governor Arm Hold the Carburetor to Full Throttle. Now with the Shaft Full Clockwise and the Governor Arm and Carburetor Held at Full Throttle, Tighten the Governor Arm Bolt. If the Engine Still Runs Full Throttle, then Reverse the Rotation of the Governor Shaft, but Still Hold the Carburetor at Full Throttle with the Governor Arm. If it Still Runs at Full Throttle, then Check the Internal Governor.**
>>Please, Do Not Hesitate, If you Hit a Snag, if I Missed Something or this Does Not Correct the Problem, I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Hope this Helps. Let me Know What Happens, Please. May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Thanks.
Good Luck
Respectfully
John
>>PS: I am Allowed to Answer 10 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Comments and Ratings are Greatly Appreciated. Thanks.
Respectfully
John
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thank you for the quick reply John. Your information helped me out. The generator has less then 2 hours use but it had old gas in it causing some "gumming" in the card. The choke had to be kept on for it to run and as a result the governer would function but with the choke limiting air the RPM's were limited. I cleaned the card and it's working great but I still don't know the proper adjustment for the speed adjustment. My manual states that it should not be tampered with but it does not give the proper setting and it has been tampered with unfortunately. If I make an adjustment to it while the generator is running and I have a fan for example hooked to it the fan will speed up or slow down depending on which way I adjust it. Do you know what the correct setting for the speed adjustment is? Thanks for your help with this issue.
AnswerHello Again Mike:
>>Most Honda Generators of this Size are Designed for Full Throttle Speed to be 3600 to 3800 RPMs.
>>Please, Do Not Hesitate, If you Hit a Snag, if I Missed Something or this Does Not Correct the Problem, I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Hope this Helps. Let me Know What Happens, Please. May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Thanks.
Good Luck
Respectfully
John
>>PS: I am Allowed to Answer 10 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Comments and Ratings are Greatly Appreciated. Thanks.
Respectfully
John
