Electric Choke for Onan 4K (BF) Generator [message #368882] |
Mon, 21 February 2022 20:00 |
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SteveW
Messages: 538 Registered: June 2005 Location: Southern California - Ora...
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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Greetings from Southern California !!
I had some issues with my electric choke failing. Grounding out / occasional sparking and not pulling (to close) the choke on the carb.
Upon removal and inspection - it appears to be missing some internal isolation / insulation.
I sourced a replacement from a spare parts generator and installed it today. Found the wire to it to be fried too - yikes !!
On the carb - choke closure requires about 90 degrees of arc. The electric choke puller arm seems to swing 45 or so - so I’m not getting complete choke.
Actually - I’m not really sure if a completely closed choke is what we want…
And I’m naively assuming that all Onan 4K / 6K electric chokes are the same.
Any comments are completely appreciated. Fully closed choke desirable ?? Electric choke needs attention to get more arc ?? Fiddle with “re clocking” the pivot arm on the electric choke to optimize movement ??
Thanks in advance.
Steve W
1973. 23. Yellow
Steve W
1973 : 23'
Southern California
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Re: Electric Choke for Onan 4K (BF) Generator [message #368883 is a reply to message #368882] |
Mon, 21 February 2022 21:33 |
Jim Miller
Messages: 501 Registered: March 2008
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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SteveW wrote on Mon, 21 February 2022 21:00Actually - I’m not really sure if a completely closed choke is what we want…
You want fully closed - but with the adjustment on the pivot arm such that it is just barely fully closed when the engine is cold. The automatic choke body contains a bimetallic spring which, when heated by the exhaust manifold, prevents the electric solenoid from having the authority to close the choke plate.
Also - it is a good idea to run a separate ground wire to the choke mechanism instead of depending on the ground return path through the rusty manifold.
If you are electrically oriented then the solenoid terminal should measure about 1.5 ohms of resistance to the choke mechanism body IIRC.
Usually you can take the mechanism apart and clean up the linkage to make it work correctly - there is very little to go wrong with the choke actuator other than rust on the shaft or crappy electrical connections.
--Jim
Jim Miller
1977 Eleganza II
1977 Royale
Hamilton, OH
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Re: Electric Choke for Onan 4K (BF) Generator [message #368886 is a reply to message #368885] |
Tue, 22 February 2022 10:45 |
Jim Miller
Messages: 501 Registered: March 2008
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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SteveW wrote on Tue, 22 February 2022 09:19 Do you have a favorite place for picking up ground - or all the way back to the battery bank ??
I don't see any reason to go back to the battery bank for the ground, just pick it up off somewhere on the engine near the choke actuator that isn't going to corrode and rust like the exhaust manifold does. Maybe under one of the 1/4-20 bolts that holds stuff to the block would be a good place.
--Jim
Jim Miller
1977 Eleganza II
1977 Royale
Hamilton, OH
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