Lister engines

[Tim]

Hi Folks,

If you're thinking of getting a Listeroid engine, you might want to rate
your mechanical and electrical skills first. The typical engine available
today is nowhere near US production standards. If you want something that
will last, be prepared to completely rebuild it before you use it.

A few of the things you will need to do to:

*balance the massive flywheels by machining
*check and most likely replace rod bearings
*grind tappets by machining
*design and build a seriously heavy base
*pressure wash the crankcase to remove casting sand and metal shavings

These are just a few of the things that will need to be done before
starting off on generator selection, setup and gearing.

This is not a job for the faint of heart............

 

[Steve Spence]

Hi Folks,

If you're thinking of getting a Listeroid engine, you might want to rate
your mechanical and electrical skills first. The typical engine available
today is nowhere near US production standards. If you want something that
will last, be prepared to completely rebuild it before you use it.

A few of the things you will need to do to:

*balance the massive flywheels by machining
*check and most likely replace rod bearings
*grind tappets by machining
*design and build a seriously heavy base
*pressure wash the crankcase to remove casting sand and metal shavings

These are just a few of the things that will need to be done before
starting off on generator selection, setup and gearing.

This is not a job for the faint of heart............

Once that is done, running these things (not just listers) for any real
number of hours requires a lot of maintenance. Water pumps, alternators,
starters, valve jobs, etc. all become second nature after a while. We
live off-grid, produce our own power, and the experience has given me a
new respect for power companies. There's a lot of work involved getting
the electrons to a users light switch.

 

[RoughRider]

Sounds like someone really pee'd into your Listermint crankcase!?!

How recent (or when) would you suggest that the quality has deteriorated?

 

[Tim]

Sounds like someone really pee'd into your Listermint crankcase!?!

How recent (or when) would you suggest that the quality has deteriorated?

These are Lister clones, frequently called Listeroids. They are
frequently built in India and as far as I know, the quality is ever
increasing (mostly) but has not made it even close to US norms yet.

A modern Listeroid import might be right for you if you're comfortable
with rough casting kits for steam engines. The basic design is there but
if you don't have a home shop with machine tools and a decent welder, be
prepared to shell out some bucks to finish the motor.

Don't get me wrong, I love the engine. I just think it's important that
people understand the time and money commitment req'd to bring one of
these puppies online. I would love to see these motors made in the US. I
would gladly pay twice the price to have one built to US standards.....

 

[Steve Spence]

Sounds like someone really pee'd into your Listermint crankcase!?!

How recent (or when) would you suggest that the quality has deteriorated?

Since they stopped making them in the UK, and began in India?

 

[Me]

Don't get me wrong, I love the engine. I just think it's important that
people understand the time and money commitment req'd to bring one of
these puppies online. I would love to see these motors made in the US. I
would gladly pay twice the price to have one built to US standards.....

Then you should check out the Witte made in Tulsa. Yea, the Witte is
still in production, and can be had for your 2X, or maybe 3X price.

Me

 

[Vaughn]

Then you should check out the Witte made in Tulsa. Yea, the Witte is
still in production, and can be had for your 2X, or maybe 3X price.

http://www.arrowengines.com/aboutarrow.htm Neat stuff! 6200 pounds for a
5KW genny! Didn't see any prices.

Vaughn