Unicor NF2D Light Tower/Genset

[Tinstar]

I didn't know about the slide out for maintenance feature until after I bought it.
Vey nice surprise!

I dont know about the power hookups yet.
Will cross that bridge later.
I can hook up my RV to it with an adapter cable right now to the outlet plug.


I know it's not a MEP series generator and won't pretend it can match those units. It can't.
.......but, it does have 30 amps at least and that can run some things for sure.
Still can't beat it for the price. Plus I wanted the lights.

Just hoping it runs and powers.
According to the records that came with unit, she's been silent since 2012.

 

[Tinstar]

She lives!!

Once fuel filters were on, I used the prime switch.
Wonderful feature!
Loosened the 10mm bleed screw and you could hear the air coming out.
Once fuel was present, tightened it back, cranked it over for about 5 seconds and bingo!!

Not bad for sitting for 5 years.
No smoke and purrs like a kitten.

Have it at about a 60% load now and it's not even breaking a sweat.
Lights plus some heaters plugged in.

Very happy

 

[Tinstar]

Replaced light bulbs in the gauges with new VDO bulbs.

Also ordered new main bulbs for the big lights.


These are the "white" light ones.
Bulbs in it now are sodium, which is more of an "orange ish" light.

That's not me holding the Bulb.
Just a stock photo from the website where I bought them.

Unit still running fantastic.
Have put about 7 hours on it so far.

 

[Tinstar]

VDO Type A 9/32"(7mm) Metal Base Bulb

These are the replacement bulbs for the VDO gauges on the NF2D.
P/N 600-802


Circuit Panel light:
#67 bulb

 

[Chainbreaker]

Congrats! You got a runner! I recall when I lit up my NF2 when it was still in original OEM condition before I repurposed it. It was a purty sight to behold!

 

[Guyfang]

Replaced light bulbs in the gauges with new VDO bulbs.

Also ordered new main bulbs for the big lights.
View attachment 698700View attachment 698701View attachment 698702

These are the "white" light ones.
Bulbs in it now are sodium, which is more of an "orange ish" light.

That's not me holding the Bulb.
Just a stock photo from the website where I bought them.

Unit still running fantastic.
Have put about 7 hours on it so far.

Polish up up the bulbs before installing them. The grease from your hands can cause them to fail early. Also, turning them on and off, without letting them come up to temp, will cause early failure.

 

[Tinstar]

Polish up up the bulbs before installing them. The grease from your hands can cause them to fail early. Also, turning them on and off, without letting them come up to temp, will cause early failure.

I already knew about both but thanks for the tip anyway!

I had forgotten just how much ligjt this thing puts out.
Definitely looking forward to the new bulbs. Not a fan of the sodium light color.

At least their not expensive.
I even bought spares.
Hate being without spare parts so I tend to really stock up.
NF2D is no exception.

Extremely happy with it.
Does exactly what I needed it to do

Will be definitely getting another one.

 

[Tinstar]

Information is limited on these at best.
Thats why I keep posting pictures and part numbers.

Hopefully it will help someone.

 

[boatman69]

Metal halide bulbs use a different ballast compared to a high pressure sodium. I have never seen one that does both.

 

[Tinstar]

The original manual that came with these units shows it originally called for Metal Halide bulbs.
Pictures of a page from it I posted earlier in this thread.

Also looked at all the pictures from GP of every unit they have sold. All 25
A few have the MH bulbs and were shining bright. Others were sitting in their cradle with MH bulbs installed.
I know the ballast are expensive. Over $300

The new bulbs arrive Tuesday.
Guess we'll see then.

 

[boatman69]

That would be good because metal halide is what you want.

 

[Tinstar]

Really looking forward to seeing the difference.

Several units that GP had sold had a mix.
One lamp sodium, the other MH.
Bet that looked weird.


Going to install a solargizer for the battery this week.

 

[Tinstar]

Thanks to Guyfang for posting the Kohler manuals in the TM section.
Was having trouble downloading one and he solved the problem and also combined all three into one thread.

I haven't given up finding the extremely elusive TO for this.

 

[Tinstar]

New bulbs arrived.

One was busted internally. Chunk of glass about the size of a very small pea is sliding around.
Bulb looks like it will work just fine, but with that small piece of glass resting on the inside, I'm afraid it will cause a temperature imbalance on the glass housing and fail.

Other was in correct sleeve, but totally wrong Bulb.
Last one was correct and Undamaged.

Company I bought them from shipped out two new replacements today.
So I will have to wait now until Thursday to see how the new bulbs shine.

 

[Tinstar]

Startup


Full strength.
MH on left Sodium on right


Ready to go.

 

[Chainbreaker]

Would also be nice to see a night time photo with the two different bulb patterns on ground/scenery along with your description of the perceived differences between the two.

 

[Tinstar]

I have some night photos of the sodium lamps.
Pictures don't relay very well just how far they throw the light
Very impressive amount of light, but I just don't like the color.

We watched deer come into the field from quite a distance, surprisingly not bothered by the noise or the light.
iPhone camera just not able to capture just how far you can see.



Will get some pictures of the new lamps working from same location tonight hopefully.

 

[Tinstar]

Label, ballast, capacitor and a lot of wiring inside the lamp housing.
The whole assembly is heavy.

 

[Guyfang]

We used this type lighting on BIG construction sites. I had to climb (30-55 meters) up a large crane, then hook them up on the side of the turret so we could work early and stay late. Also, even worse, sit in a trolley car, suspended from the arm, and then ride out on the arm and change bulbs. When the ballast assy failed, replace them. Oh yeah, are they heavy! And when your up that high, the old rule, "One hand for the ship, and one hand for yourself" becomes very real. The first time I did it, I lost control of the ballast. It would interest me to know how fast it was moving when it hit the concrete slab below. Didn't have to worry about fixing that assy.

 

[Tinstar]

Agree
First time I put them up, I used a ladder. Wrong!!
About dropped one with me close behind.
My Back still isn't the same.

Truck with tailgate down is now preferred method.
Plenty of foot room to handle the weight.
I bet they are over 60+ pounds each.