Generator question

If you want to check frequency , Amazon sells freq. meters . Some are less than 20 bucks .and they can be hardwired in so that you have a volt/Hz display on the genset . You could also use a ope tachometer . Most lawn mower type 4 strokes fire every revolution just like a 2 cycle . Keeps the ignition timing simple .

 

Just to give an answer to my original question, so as to not leave this thread hanging...

Carb was clean. New spark plug made no difference. I'm leaning towards the generator being underpowered compared to what it advertises, like
brenndatomu mentioned.

After more testing, I'm tripping the breaker on one of the two circuits for unknown reasons. Same one every time. Circuit should be good for 2,400 watts, but won't trip with 3,750 watts on it. At least right away. When I walk away and come back, one of the breakers is often tripped, even if it only has 1,500 watts on it, well below what it should handle.

Since I only use the 220 outlet when powering the house, I hadn't noticed that I was losing one leg this way. And the remaining leg was powering the few things in the house that I was using. I didn't notice any dead lights or plugs, so a tripped breaker never occurred to me. But I wasn't looking for them either.

Thanks for all the good advice, all.