Re: Got KIPOR genset?

Just plain "Dusty" wrote:
G'day all;

Some months back I let myself get roped into getting a little Kipor (Chinese knock-off of a Honda) genset. I just needed something small to run TV, computer, etc. As a little cheapie genset, it's okay. Unlike my Honda, when the Kipor was new, it burned almost as much oil as gas...and still needs oil...often...

But a word of caution, DO NOT pull the recoil starter cord all the way out! Did that the other day...not good! The cord is rather short, which you really won't figure out until it won't come out any further. I found that when it runs out of gas, it's a bit of a pain to restart. So-o-o...I found out that giving it one hefty yank allows the engine to spin a few times and then catch--saving a few strokes. We'll, the other day, I was in a hurry, and did just that. But I was in a somewhat advantageous position, and the pull stroke was longer than usual. Ping! Something inside broke...and the starter mechanism wouldn't engage any more.

Yesterday I disassembled the thing, thinking that if I couldn't fix it, at least being in smaller parts it would fit in the trash better...(:-o)! The simplified version of the problem would be: a small 2X3mm tang on a stamped, *** alloy basket engages with a pair of cast fins on the flywheel. My "hefty-pull" broke one of the fins, and bent the alloy tang up and out--rendering it unable to engage the fin-pair on the flywheel.

Fortunately, the flywheel had another set of fins opposite the first--either for a backup point or for balance--other than that, I don't know why they'd have another set in something this cheap. So I bent the tang back into place--here's hoping that the bending and forming didn't heat the metal up enough to loose any semblance of temper--and inserted it in the other set of fin tips.

Since the unit is a "jig-assembly", it's a pain to reassemble. NB: use the oil fill (starter) side as the "bottom-shell" for reassembly. If you do it right everything should fit back together and you shouldn't have any parts left over...(:-o)! I didn't. And lo and behold? It worked!

So, now, I'm a lot gentler with it...and hope it'll last until I can replace it with a new Honda. Better yet would be for ALL recoil starter vendors to do like the Stiihl tools that I have...and make the starter a cumulative ratchet type starter (or whatever you would call that feature). Now *that's* hot!


HTH someone...
Dusty -- enjoying the solitude and weather at "the Q"...


Dusty, are you doing a journal or something on line about you stay in Q.? I want to stay there a good spell as you are sometime and you seem to be the ultimate RORT expert on how to 'enjoy' it the most. Would like to pick your brain on the subject.


On the Original subject, I have a 6'+ foot boy, with 5'+ arms? <g> that can wreck the recoil [or bust the rope] on the best of em... I seem to be able to start the same motors with just a quick short pull. Hey, he's only 32.. Still a pup. He excuses himself out of most responsibility with the catchy little phrase.. "Your part of the boomer generation pop... I'm part of the boom-a-rang-er gen".. So far he's proven it in spades.... <G> gotta love the little fella though.. kinda fun to have him around in spite of the high maintence.. -Gar
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