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Operation

Starting

Empty generator
  1. Check that all parts of the generator are properly installed (combustion chamber ring, air nozzles, etc.)
  2. Fill the combustion chamber carefully with good quality and evenly sized (20 - .40 mm) charcoal. The upper surface of the charcoal layer shall be 100 - 150 mm above the air nozzles, with another words up to the lower end of the funnel. The space between the hearth and the combustion chamber ring must be filled with extreme care with charcoal.
  3. Fill the fuel reservoir with wood chips. If the wood is wet (over 15%) fill only half full to make the starting easier.
  4. Close all lids and hatches carefully. The generator is now ready to be started.
Used, cold generator
If there is charcoal and wood chips in the generator the starting is done in the following way:
  1. Open the ash removing hatch and remove all ash and charcoal dust below the hearth.
  2. Check visually the condition of the hearth and its moving mechanism. Check also that the hearth moves work properly.
  3. Open the fuel reservoir lid.
  4. Take a two meter long steel rod with a diameter of about 10 mm and stroke it once downwards into the fuel reservoir and up to the combustion chamber. This breaks the arch in the combustion chamber if there is one.
  5. Draw the steel rod out.
  6. If needed refill the fuel reservoir, it should be half full when starting.
  7. Close all lids and hatches carefully.
  8. Check that the intake air flap moves freely.
  9. Remove all ash from the spark trap. Close the maintenance hatch carefully.
  10. Remove all ash from the filter housing. Check the condition of the sealing on the hatch, it must be gas tight.
  11. Check that all pipes, hoses and connections are tight. The generator is now ready to be started.
Igniting a cold generator
  1. Close the flap between the gas pipe and the filter.
  2. Open the flap on the starting gas output pipe.
  3. Start the fan.
  4. Open the cap on the ignition opening and place a suitable kindling, for example a piece of cotter waste soaked with oil, into it.
  5. Light the kindling and let it burn for 3 minutes.
  6. After 3 - 10 minutes try to ignite the gas coming out of the starting gas output pipe. If the gas does not ignite, let the fan keep on operating. There comes first whitish wet gas out of the pipe. This gas is not suitable for the ICE. When the gas becomes drier it can easily be ignited with for example a match. If the gas burns with a weak flame with a light core let the fan keep on operating. When the flame becomes almost invisible or slightly violet and steady the fan can be stopped.
  7. Set the flaps to normal operating position. The gas can now be used in an ICE.
Normally a starting period of 5 - 10 minutes is needed.
 
Igniting a hot generator
A vehicle equipped with a wood gas generator must not be let idle for longer periods, but the engine and the gas generator must be stopped. The generator stays in operable condition for about 1 - 2 hours depending on the ambient temperature. During this period the generator can be started by letting the fan operate for a short 1 - 3 min period. The quality of the gas produced can be checked by igniting the gas coming out of the starting gas output pipe. If the lid of the fuel reservoir must be opened the following points must be noticed:
Actions after use
After stopping the engine do the following:
  1. Close the flap on the gas pipe and the flap that controls the mixture that goes to the engine.
  2. Open the lid of the fuel reservoir and let it be open for about 20 min. This lets the moisture from the fuel out and makes the next start easier. The best possible amount of fuel in the reservoir is about 1/3-1/2 full when stopping the unit. Therefore the reservoir must not be filled just before stopping the generator.
  3. Drain all tanks for condensed liquids. In cold ambient temperature this must be done immediately after stopping the generator to prevent the liquid from freezing.

Translated by Olli.

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