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Coleman Generator Problem

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Tom_NC

05-04-2003 20:14:22

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I have a Coleman Powermate 800 generator that is giving trouble. When running with no load the voltage checks 130 with a frequency of 125 Hz. Is there a control module that is bad and does anyone know how to get to it? Any and all help will be greatly appreciated.

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Milton Godwin

08-31-2003 14:38:00

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Re: Coleman Generator Problem in reply to Tom_NC, 05-04-2003 20:14:22

I have a 1850 serge coleman generator runns great, when I plug a 120v light into one of the recepticals it barely make the element burn, but when I plug a second light in the socket it burns both bulbs almost full bright. what do you think the problem ?

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Tom_NC

05-06-2003 20:57:14

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Re: Coleman Generator Problem in reply to Tom_NC, 05-04-2003 20:14:22

To all that posted responses, thanks. After doing some more checking I have come to agree with several of the post that my meter is being thrown off on the frequency reading by noise/harmonics. I did adjust the governor to get the voltage down a bit to 126 at no load. Bottom line it is a small inexpensive generator with very basic to none in the filtering/regulation categories. It will be fine for lighting and non sensitive (voltage/frequency) applications.

Thanks again,
Tom

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G Taylor

05-07-2003 08:45:05

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Re: Re: Coleman Generator Problem in reply to Tom_NC, 05-06-2003 20:57:14

Keep looking around in the recitfier circuit that supplies DC to the rotor. There maybe a trim pot hidden there. 60htz and 125v together under load is good to have. Most electrical equipment loads can handle +/- 10% of nameplate voltage values.

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MarkB

05-05-2003 19:34:39

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Re: Coleman Generator Problem in reply to Tom_NC, 05-04-2003 20:14:22

I agree with the posters who say you have an instrument problem. Your generator is going to be quite "dirty" compared with line voltage, which would add harmonics to the output. You might also be picking up noise off the line, which would double your frequency.

I've used one of these generators, and I'd never use one with a true ac motor if I had a choice. They work OK with brush-type motors like Skil saws and drill motors, but I couldn't even start my wife's big fridge with the one I used. The 800 watt rating is pretty optimistic. I now have a 2500 watt Army surplus generator (circa 1953) that will run the whole house.

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Bob

05-05-2003 10:35:18

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Re: Coleman Generator Problem in reply to Tom_NC, 05-04-2003 20:14:22

I would suspect your meter is responding to electrical noise in the output of the generator and giving you an erroneous cycle reading. The voltage is within reason for an unloaded alternator. Load the generator with a RESISTIVE LOAD such as a small heater, or several 200 watt bulbs to 1/2 to 3/4 rated load, and then plug an ordinary 120 volt powered analog wall clock into it. If the clock keeps pretty close to accurate time you have 60 cycle power.

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Bill

05-05-2003 10:10:35

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Re: Coleman Generator Problem in reply to Tom_NC, 05-04-2003 20:14:22

If you think- the engine probably isn't turning twice the rated RPM. It's probably a harmonic or the meter. If you are not going to use anything but universal motors or resistive loads you won't have a problem anyway. If you do have a synchronous motor that you plan on using I would apply power carefully, twice the RPM is very noticeable.

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John

05-05-2003 08:48:49

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Re: Coleman Generator Problem in reply to Tom_NC, 05-04-2003 20:14:22

Since the frequency is twice what is expected, the measuring device might be incorrect. The polarity does change 120/second.

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G Taylor

05-05-2003 07:22:20

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Re: Coleman Generator Problem in reply to Tom_NC, 05-04-2003 20:14:22

The Coleman is best used as a standby or disposable machine. They are good cheap machine but there i$ better. You get what you pay for. The regulation is fixed, set with a screwdriver adjustable pot hidden between the air vent fins. Rpm should be 62.5 to 65 htz at no load to get 60 htz when loaded down. A 800W machine is too small for anything except electric razors and such. 1500W continous is a minimum. For cheap running durable generator try the aircooled Yanmar diesel's. Some at the airport have over 10,000hrs with just filters,oil changes and a fresh injector. Just let them run without load on standby/intermitant duty in the dead of winter. They will run too cold. Plug something in to keep them loaded.

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Kevin

05-05-2003 17:37:16

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Re: Re: Coleman Generator Problem in reply to G Taylor, 05-05-2003 07:22:20

Anyone want to buy my Yanmar? I don't need it anymore since the power company hooked up my cottage! Barely 100 hours on it, which means only 1% life used! LOl!

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RayP(MI)

05-05-2003 06:32:54

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Re: Coleman Generator Problem in reply to Tom_NC, 05-04-2003 20:14:22

Not sure about yours, but the noload voltage doesn't seem that high - put a load, such as a electric heater on it and see what happens. There is probably an adjustment for the throttle/governor - you may want to set this a little lower, that would bring the down a little bit. HOWEVER< I'm curious, when we're looking for 60 cycles, why 125? Are you sure of your instrument? Is that an accurate reading? How and with what are you taking that reading? Is it possible that your meter is reading wrong? Can you take a rpm reading directly from the motor? It ought to be running at 3600 rpm. More details please!

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Tom_NC

05-05-2003 08:53:44

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Re: Re: Coleman Generator Problem in reply to RayP(MI), 05-05-2003 06:32:54

I checked the frequency with a R/S Volt ohm meter that has a frequency function. I also did a check on the (Duke Power) line and it checked 60 Hz. I also checked my Honda EM5000 and it checked 60 Hz and 119V with no load. I will try loading it and preform the check again.

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Eddie

05-05-2003 04:45:53

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Re: Coleman Generator Problem in reply to Tom_NC, 05-04-2003 20:14:22

I don't have any technical advice but from personal experience I would take the thing and drive over it with my truck. We use generators everyday in our business and could never get Colemans to run or work right. Nothing but Hondas for quite awhile now.

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Robert in W. Mi

05-05-2003 15:24:32

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Re: Re: Coleman Generator Problem in reply to Eddie, 05-05-2003 04:45:53

I have a friend that bought a new 5000W Coleman. The power went out, he took it out of the box got it ready and started it up. It seemed to run good, so he plugged it into his elderly mom's house and she started turning things on. When he went in, she had already blew out several lights in the house, and the TV!! He had quite a run a round before he finally got it replaced, and got rid of the new one!! That's the second one that i know had problems out of the box. They are cheap for a reason!!! Robert

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G Taylor

05-06-2003 14:19:44

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Re: Re: Re: Coleman Generator Problem in reply to Robert in W. Mi, 05-05-2003 15:24:32

I tested my Coleman before using it and found the voltage at 126V and frequency slow at 52htz. After cranking up the no load rpms to 62.5 htz I had to back the voltage control down from a equipment frying 145v to 132.0vac. Now it lugs down to 125 and 60 htz when loaded to 3000w-4000w

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Robert in W. Mi

05-06-2003 20:35:39

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Re: Re: Re: Re: Coleman Generator Problem in reply to G Taylor, 05-06-2003 14:19:44

I don't buy tools to work on out of the box, i buy them to use!! I'd rather pay more and get QUALITY!! Robert

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G Taylor

05-07-2003 17:17:40

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Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Coleman Generator Problem in reply to Robert in W. Mi, 05-06-2003 20:35:39

Check everything before putting it into service. Seen too much "new" stuff from every manufacture to trust something fresh from the factory. It wasn't a tough job check the rpm and voltage. 10 minutes from looking for a full gas can and my tools/meter till it was finished. Have a cheap generator for when the power goes out and it won't smoke anything plugged into it.

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It's Starting To Make Sense Now, by Robert in W. Mi.

05-07-2003 20:44:46

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Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Coleman Generator Problem in reply to G Taylor, 05-07-2003 17:17:40

You have to work on those new deere's when there new too.... Now i see where you are comeing from!! :>)

Like i've seen YOU post here before, "you get what you pay for"!!

Robert

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Woodbeef

05-07-2003 18:49:23

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Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Coleman Generator Problem in reply to G Taylor, 05-07-2003 17:17:40

Hey G....cheap kinda like those 5000 Deeres,eh?

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G Taylor

05-07-2003 22:03:30

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Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Coleman Generator Problem in reply to Woodbeef, 05-07-2003 18:49:23

Yah get what you pay for. The Coleman 5000W was $20.00 with a few hundred hours and a broken connecting rod on the Tecumseh engine. The previous owners had run it with the choke 1/3 on for days at a time. A gasket set, polished crank and a rod and she was away. No surprise the rpm was off being taken apart. And yes the Jap generators are superior to the Coleman. Already said they are disposable, only good for once a year standby use or places where stuff gets stolen. And Deere since Wm.A. Hewitt left the company to the corporate jackals has slipped. In the old days they would have said sorry and pulled the 5000 series and replaced then quick like the 2010 was. Now they keep trying to polish a turd.

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Tom_NC

05-07-2003 22:18:54

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Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Coleman Generator Problem in reply to G Taylor, 05-07-2003 22:03:30

Actually as a very wise man once told me .... You don't always get what you pay for....but..... You always pay for what you get.

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05-05-2003 08:02:09

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Re: Re: Coleman Generator Problem in reply to Eddie, 05-05-2003 04:45:53

You might injure a tire on your truck, harm the undercarriage or scratch the underpanels. Othwerwise, good advice. I worked on one for my neighbor for two days and couldn't get it to run right.

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