Generator vibrates & moves along - normal?

Submitted: Saturday, Jul 05, 2008 at 10:37
ThreadID: 59510 Views:12083 Replies:11 FollowUps:5
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I've just abought a 2800kVA generator off Ebay (advertised as the "Tomahawk Sinewave 3000", marking on unit is "XG-SF3000ER". It works, however when it's running with a load attached it will slowly move along on the ground, due to the torque & vibration of the engine. It has rubber feet, and I have only tested it on a smooth pavement so far.

Is this kind of problem normal/expected with a generator like this, or should I be complaining? What are the easiest ways to prevent it from moving around?

Thanks,
John.
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Reply By: turbopete - Saturday, Jul 05, 2008 at 10:42

Saturday, Jul 05, 2008 at 10:42
skyhooks come to mind,,
AnswerID: 313967

Reply By: Member - Chucky S (QLD) - Saturday, Jul 05, 2008 at 11:09

Saturday, Jul 05, 2008 at 11:09
Try putting it on a rubber mat,That should slow it down.
AnswerID: 313972

Reply By: Notso - Saturday, Jul 05, 2008 at 11:16

Saturday, Jul 05, 2008 at 11:16
Bit like a few people I know, trying to get away from the work??

I suppose the harder it's working the more vibration it gets.

Try it on the lawn or a bit of dirt.
AnswerID: 313974

Reply By: skip100 - Saturday, Jul 05, 2008 at 11:24

Saturday, Jul 05, 2008 at 11:24
I hope the rubber mat works.

I think it probably would be ok on lawn, however the manual warns that the underside should be kept clear for ventilation. So, I'd only want to use it on very short grass I think.

Thanks,
Greg.
AnswerID: 313975

Follow Up By: Bob Y. - Qld - Saturday, Jul 05, 2008 at 12:43

Saturday, Jul 05, 2008 at 12:43
John,

If it moves about on hard floor, then it will dig its way into anything soft, like grass or dirt. Try the rubber mat as suggested.

You can put them on a tyre, but I'm always hawky that they'll fall off, or operate at an extreme angle.

Have heard of these small Gennies picking up dust off different soils that have a high iron content, which short out the windings, or something, and they have had to be re-excited.

You always google some heavy duty rubber mounts to put under it. The better ones will take almost all movement out of it.

Hooroo,
Bob.
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Can't remember most of it.

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Reply By: skip100 - Saturday, Jul 05, 2008 at 11:27

Saturday, Jul 05, 2008 at 11:27
Sorry - forgot my own name.

John.
AnswerID: 313976

Reply By: skip100 - Saturday, Jul 05, 2008 at 11:36

Saturday, Jul 05, 2008 at 11:36
Hmm - I just tried it again and it stayed put! I'll see how I go over time.

Btw I have to wonder about the noise specs. IMHO the noise level is a "somewhat quieter" than a 4-stroke lawn mower. There is no way I would call this thing "silent", which is how it's advertised.

John.

AnswerID: 313979

Reply By: DIO - Saturday, Jul 05, 2008 at 11:44

Saturday, Jul 05, 2008 at 11:44
Obviously you haven't reinforced the training. You will have to be a lot more authorative with the 'SIT' & 'STAY' commands
AnswerID: 313980

Reply By: Member - extfilm (NSW) - Saturday, Jul 05, 2008 at 11:49

Saturday, Jul 05, 2008 at 11:49
Hi John,
buy a few, put numbers on each, have a start and finish line, get a few mates over and bet on which one crosses the finish line first...... it would make for a good drinking game and party.......lol
AnswerID: 313981

Follow Up By: Stephen M (NSW) - Saturday, Jul 05, 2008 at 12:31

Saturday, Jul 05, 2008 at 12:31
LOL extfilm. Regards steve M
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Follow Up By: On Patrol (Project TONI) - Sunday, Jul 06, 2008 at 09:29

Sunday, Jul 06, 2008 at 09:29
Peter,
any excuse for a BBQ and a Bourbon Eh mate.
Colin
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Reply By: Bonz (Vic) - Saturday, Jul 05, 2008 at 14:32

Saturday, Jul 05, 2008 at 14:32
Umm a 2800kVA generator would have come on a semi trailer, just leave it attached to the prime mover that should stop it moving
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Follow Up By: On Patrol (Project TONI) - Sunday, Jul 06, 2008 at 09:36

Sunday, Jul 06, 2008 at 09:36
Bonz,
2.8 max kw
2.6 rated kw
Noise Level: 59 Db (4m)

"Running at an amazing 59 decibels, the S3000 operates at less than common speech level, making it the quietest generator available". according to the spiel.

Common speech must be shouting by skip100's description of the noise level. LOL
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FollowupID: 580140

Follow Up By: Bonz (Vic) - Monday, Jul 07, 2008 at 17:57

Monday, Jul 07, 2008 at 17:57
hahahaha you mean 2800W not 2800kW, that DOES make a small difference
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Reply By: ross - Sunday, Jul 06, 2008 at 11:15

Sunday, Jul 06, 2008 at 11:15
Ive seen the Honda Dunlites do this. We use to tie em on a leash to a star picket and they wouldgo round in circles like a mad dog.

You could bolt it to some plywood. Drill 4x holes in plywood and put tent pegs into the holes and hammer pegs into dirt.

But IMO ,your better off learning from the experience and getting a Yamaha or Honda(new type)

I had my Yamaha efs1000 on for 4 hours on friday while western power replaced the power poles in my street.
I had the computer and lights running off the gen.
The yamaha is so quiet I nearly forgot to turn it off when I went out
AnswerID: 314095

Reply By: skip100 - Sunday, Jul 06, 2008 at 14:43

Sunday, Jul 06, 2008 at 14:43
Re: the noise level, I've just watched this clip on the Yamaha EF1000iS: Yamaha EF1000iS (Aust. Gear Guide review) and it's not really all *that* quiet - I don't think my cheapie Ebay unit is all that different to it really.

John.
AnswerID: 314108

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