Zel's Fleet Blog - BX, Jag XJ-S, Sinclair C5, Mercedes 208D & 230TE, AC Model 70.

[MattBLancs]

Volvo economy: I'll guess same as what 2.2 HDi C5 Tourer generally gets over a tank full in less than ideal traffic conditions, 43 MPG?

[bobins]

I think I'd be tempted to break it down to major component parts (engine, genny, ancilliaries, bedplate) and shift it that way. I don't think they pose too much of a problem as individual items, though they're collectively still too much for a Volvo

Many moons ago I visited an old council bunker up in Scotland (with permission !) and there was a twin cyliner Lister genset sitting there - hadn't run for many years I was given permission to see if it'd start - it did with little effort

[Zelandeth]

I reckon so long as the fuel pump/injector aren't totally gummed up she'd be off and thumping away in a cloud of black smoke as though nothing had happened most likely.

The biggest worry would be on the generator side of things without properly inspecting it. Though I could remove that from the equation just by removing the belts that drive it.

This does indeed use the generator also as a starter motor. I believe this was a setup you could buy direct from Lister as one unit, and I think this one is *largely* original aside from the radiator and original cast iron silencer.

[MattBLancs]

Oh, I'm with you on a nice old engine to play with, definitely!

I think the generator that's also an electric starter is a "dynastart" unit, not sure if any direct correlation to the dynastart that's in an Invacar, but same principles anyway.

Harness the heat from the engine (and with greater complexity, the exhaust) and you've a remarkably efficient CHP setup

Ignore me, think talking out of my bottom.
Lister gensets were Start-O-Matic rather than Dynastart

[MattBLancs]

Looks to be some good data here:
https://www.stationaryengineparts.com/L ... gine-Data/

[bobins]

It might be worth finding a suitable second hand alternator and doing away with the one that comes with it. Newer ones will be smaller..... though not necessarily as reliable ! The one that's on there can't be rated for many kVA ??
You could get creative and have an alternator on one side of the engine and a compressor on the other

[Zelandeth]

Have looked at a few more pictures and it's definitely not a JP1. Intake/exhaust are on the wrong sides of the head, and the JP engines don't have the exposed pushrods.

Reckon this is actually a CS6/1 Start-o-Matic generator set based on what I've found. So 2.5KVA it looks like.

The original generator would absolutely be staying. It also wouldn't be getting painted up all pretty. The fact that this one looks to be pretty original is part of the attraction of it. That output actually is plenty to be useful if we did have a blackout. More than enough to keep the essentials going. Only things it would struggle with would be the oven, kettle or air conditioners. Fridge/freezer, boiler, lighting and the IT kit it would be absolutely fine with.

[bobins]

Without wishing to be Mr Doom-monger.... there's a chance there'll be some asbestos in the electrical side of things Not necessarily a show-stopper if there is - if it can be encapsulated with multiple coats of PVA then you might be able to sidestep any issues. Worth bearing in mind though.

[Zelandeth]

Without wishing to be Mr Doom-monger.... there's a chance there'll be some asbestos in the electrical side of things Not necessarily a show-stopper if there is - if it can be encapsulated with multiple coats of PVA then you might be able to sidestep any issues. Worth bearing in mind though.

Yeah, that's a hazard I'm not unfamiliar with from resurrection of valve radios and TVs. I'd likely be planning on replacing a fair amount of the wiring either way as the other thing I'm sure there will be is old style rubber insulated wire which I'm sure has pretty well decomposed by now. So that will want to go, along with anything asbestos (or suspected to be) asbestos sheathed.

Given that the wiring is an obvious safety factor both with regards to electric shock and fire hazards so that's one area I'm willing to sacrifice originality for functionality.

[CitroJim]

That'll be a lovely old thing to play with Zel.. As said, it's a diesel and as long as it was last run on diesel and not some veggie concoction, it'll start no problem at all...

I have a bit of experience with Lister gensets - the later twin cylinder HR series. Used in many of our Embassies as a standby power source. Diesel always as a start could always be guaranteed when needed. And if desperate measures were needed for fuel, they could run on anything vaguely oily and combustible.

[Gibbo2286]

Lots of info here: https://www.stationaryengineparts.com/L ... gine-Data/

[Zelandeth]

Should certainly be an interesting project if I can figure out the logistics of getting it moved and find somewhere for it to live. Added incentive to get the garage sorted I guess.

Still not sure what the best solution might be for getting it actually transported. I'll need to have a think on that.

Will definitely be interesting to see how much it takes to actually get it started. There is part of me that does really want to see if it was as simple as going over the various pre-start oiling points, removing the coffee jar covering the exhaust, turning on the fuel tap and cranking it over.

For those interested, the economy figure for the run up here: 47mpg. Which for a 2.4 litre engined car of this size, especially given the congested traffic for a lot of the run just seems incredible to me.

[bobins]

If that's a diesel filter that feeds to the injector then I think I'd want to check it out to make sure it hasn't decomposed if it's a paper element and water's been trapped in the bottom of the filter bowl. If it's just a separator then a quick drain off should suffice.

It looks like a lovely project that requires just the right amount of pottering and fettling around to make it good. What a wonderful way to turn diesel fuel into noise

[MattBLancs]

Looks to be some good data here:
https://www.stationaryengineparts.com/L ... gine-Data/

Lots of info here: https://www.stationaryengineparts.com/L ... gine-Data/

Eeee, that was a slow echo!

Edit: ah, slightly different links on the same site

[MattBLancs]

47 mpg is excellent!