Powermate generator again.

DonNOhio

Member
I posted last week on getting a Coleman Powermate 4000. I found the voltage to be high, 138 volts. I discovered the idle screw to be tightened down to run at a high R.M.P., not being controlled by the governor.
I cleaned the carb. And adjusted it to get it to run on the governor, and set the speed to get 117- 119 volts. Question is. Is the frequency correct? Thanks.
 
That should bring it around 60 with no load. I always set mine at 125 no load which will put it around 62 hertz. Because the hertz will drop a little. When the load comes in.
 
Hello DonOhio,

Either you set the rpm's to get the voltage that BYLLY stated, or set the rpm's to obtain 120volts with a load on it,

Guido.
 
I have the exact same model. When the engine is set at 3600 RPMs, the voltage measures 108-110 volts and it make 60 cycles Hertz. I wanted 120 volts and raised my RPM to 3800. Hertz cycle is not a little off but it does not effect anything I use. Most stuff does not care. I needed the higher AC voltage to run a shop battery charger.
 
(quoted from post at 16:11:05 05/25/19) I posted last week on getting a Coleman Powermate 4000. I found the voltage to be high, 138 volts. I discovered the idle screw to be tightened down to run at a high R.M.P., not being controlled by the governor.
I cleaned the carb. And adjusted it to get it to run on the governor, and set the speed to get 117- 119 volts. Question is. Is the frequency correct? Thanks.
My generator is pto powered, so I have to set the throttle every time I use it. I like a kill-a-watt because it is inexpensive and serves more than one purpose. I always set it for 60-ish hertz and don't worry about the volts.
 
There are some inexpensive Volt/ Frequency meters on Amazon. Any suggestions?
Thanks.
PS: I have added a muffler and got it quieted down considerable.
 
Yup... these work really well. You can buy them on Ebay too. All of my generators are adjusted to between 60 to 62 hz. You need to remember todays electronics are very sensitive to messed up frequency. They have quartz frequency controled circuits and if things are too out of wack they committ suicide. Here is an old fashion tester that works very well and is fun to play with. You can use two 120 volt bulbs or one 240 volt bulb. You plug the one end into your house outlet and the other into your running generator. The bulbs will wink on and off till you get the rpms just right and the frequencies match up. Mr science stuff but fun.
cvphoto24267.jpg
 
Be very carefull with the cheeper meters with HZ reading. They do not auto range down far enough to what is commimng out of a wall socket. They start around 1000 cycles and up.BTDT. I have a FLUKE 179 digital meter that cost around $300.oo way back when. These new little boxes from china are just fantastic.
 
Consider buying a "Kill-a-Watt" meter, which will measure both frequency and voltage.

It's most important to get the right VOLTAGE UNDER LOAD. If the frequency is off a few hertz, that's less of a problem than too high or low voltage. If you are getting less than 120 volts with no load, you probably need to speed it up a bit to get an acceptable voltage under load.
 
(quoted from post at 12:19:56 05/26/19) Consider buying a "Kill-a-Watt" meter, which will measure both frequency and voltage.

It's most important to get the right VOLTAGE UNDER LOAD. If the frequency is off a few hertz, that's less of a problem than too high or low voltage. If you are getting less than 120 volts with no load, you probably need to speed it up a bit to get an acceptable voltage under load.
What a great suggestion! (Same one I made yesterday)
 

The KillaWatt meter works good as others have posted. If you want to use something you should have on hand a old style plug in wall analog clock with a second hand will work. The clock runs off of 60 cycle power from the grid - if your generator puts out 60 hertz the clock will keep accurate time. If it loses time the generator is running slow, if it gains time the generator is running fast.
 

not to steal the post, but what items are not working correctly due to the frequency being off...

The only thing I can think of, it the older electric clocks were sensitive to frequency for correct time. Most newer stuff doesn't seem to care. Even further more it will operate fine on USA 60 cycles and operate fine on Europe 50 cycles. Any item with its own crystal will operate at the crystal frequency so it will not care.. Most computers have double conversion power supplys so they dont care. Lots of items even work as dual voltage, ie 120 or 220.

Motors might spin faster or slower, but in most applications thats not a problem as the motor speed loads down anyway.

I guess an old record/tape player would sound off????
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top