Generator: to fix or not to fix?

This is more of a cost/benefit/hassle question than a repair question...

Got a 4800 watt Champion generator, about 2-3 years old but only used about 4 times. The engine runs fine but it stopped generating electricity. Tests pointed to the stator, and sure enough when I took it apart the stator was fried. I ordered a new stator from Champion for around $230 but when I got it, they sent me the wrong one!

So they said they'd send me a new stator along with a shipping label to send back the wrong one. But by then I had it, and decided I'd just buy a 5550 watt Briggs & Stratton generator from work, which I can get at a great discount, and I can get B&S parts from work at a discount too (I can't get Champion parts from work). Figured I could use the extra power too. So I told Champion I just want a refund on the stator and shipping, and they agreed.

But now I have a generator in pieces on the garage floor, that my wife wants me to get rid of before I pick up a new generator. So I'm wondering:

Should I have gotten the right stator re-sent, fixed the old generator, and sold it for as much as I could get for it? It cost around $600 new. If I paid for the new stator, that's $230 into it and maybe I can sell it quick for around $300. That's of course, if the stator is the only thing wrong with it.

Or should I just try to sell it for practically nothing for parts, or to someone who's willing to replace the stator themselves. It's not so much the money, I just want to get rid of it and I don't know if anyone's going to want to take a nonworking gennie off my hands. What's it really worth as-is? Got a running 9HP motor on it. I'm thinking I'd try to sell it broken for $50-100.

If I try to sell it broken, should I put it back together broken? Seems a shame to reassemble if someone's willing to pay to put a new stator on themselves. But right now it's got an engine supported on blocks, hanging by the motor mounts on one side only, so not easily transportable.

Re: Generator: to fix or not to fix?

Sell it as it sits. You'll be lucky to get 50 bucks, but it'll be out of your way.
I had the same problem last year. Those generators are not worth fixing unfortunately.
Just move on to your new one.

Re: Generator: to fix or not to fix?

I have heard these stories before with these cheaper generators. That's why I ended up buying a Yamaha. Super quiet too.

Re: Generator: to fix or not to fix?

If you were prepared to put $230- to buy and install a stator and then sell it for $300-, you are going to a lot of trouble for $70-.

Why not just run an ad and take the best offer as-is?

Re: Generator: to fix or not to fix?

check eboy for cheap stator.....engine may be handy to keep or not depends on you

Re: Generator: to fix or not to fix?

Thanks for the replies, I kinda figured the generator wasn't worth fixing.

Tim Frank said:

If you were prepared to put $230- to buy and install a stator and then sell it for $300-, you are going to a lot of trouble for $70-.

Why not just run an ad and take the best offer as-is?

Click to expand...

Like I said, wasn't so much the money, I just want to get rid of it as easily as possible. And I almost want to fix it since I've gone so far into it. Since it's already taken apart, it's not too much trouble to put a new stator in and put it back together. But still more trouble than it's worth, it sounds like. Dolluper has a good idea, maybe I'll take a look on ebay and see if I can get a deal on a stator. Otherwise, I'll sell it for parts.

Re: Generator: to fix or not to fix?

i got 4400 watt coleman that needs a motor,water got into the crankcase through exhaust.and it froze my bad. if you have pictures maybe can get it to work. i'll sell you what i have or buy what you have.but need to see if it will fit.

Re: Generator: to fix or not to fix?

stylesabu, I'm done trying to get my generator to work since I bought a new one with more power, and given the replies here- convinced me it wasn't worth fixing just to sell it. If you want to buy mine for the motor I'll pm you pics of it tonight when I get home from work. Not sure off the top of my head what brand of motor it is but it's a 9HP.