Powermate Generator (pm0544202)

[iwannadie]

A friend of mine gave me an old generator that I know nothing about but would like to get it up and running. It has sat outside for a number of years but seems in great shape other than the weathering.

I am having a hard time finding parts or information on this thing though, not sure if I am just looking in the wrong places or what. Google the model number brings up a few sites with parts diagrams but they do not seem all that in depth. It has no air cleaner, the exhaust is rusted pretty bad and fuel lines are long gone but I haven't seen those basic parts on any of the sites diagrams even. I would just like to do all the basic maitenance stuff on this thing before trying to fire it up. It spins free so its not seized at least.

There such a layer of dirt on it I am not even sure where the oil comes from or goes right now ha.

Is this thing even worth bothering with, do generators like this simple die/rot when left out in the desert for a few years? It seems really solid and well built but who knows what the electronics and wiring are like inside...

 

[cal]

they're not bad generators, how old is it?

they're not very quiet, but you can run a welder on it if you have to.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v066rQ254ss

 

[machinisttx]

Coleman got out of the generator market several years ago and as far as I know, they offer no support on them. The upside is that Coleman never actually made generators, they just put their name on someone else's product.

I have a coleman generator. I don't remember the model, but it's a 5000 watt with a 10hp Briggs and Stratton on it. If yours has a B&S on it, then you'll have no problem finding engine parts. You will need to find the model, type, and code numbers. They will normally be either on the top or side of the blower housing, or if it's got an overhead valve engine, they'll be on the valve cover. There is a chance that they'll be stamped onto a separate tag that is riveted to the blower housing or elsewhere on the machine. If you can find those numbers or post a picture(of the engine), I'll give you a link for the Briggs and Stratton service manual for the engine. Most of them are about $25. Also, for what it's worth, the first two digits of the "code" are the year of production.

Most likely the carburetor will need to be cleaned, a new needle and seat installed, and a new float bowl gasket to replace the one that will inevitably be destroyed when you remove the float bowl. Usually less than $10 for parts and maybe 45 minutes of time. Fuel lines are a generic part. I recommend using tygon fuel line, and it probably uses 1/4" I.D. line. When you say that it spins free, do you mean there is no resistance when you pull the starter rope, or that it turns over with compression? If there's no resistance, then you may have a number of other problems. If all of the air filter parts are missing, water may have gotten inside.

As far as the generator side of it, I would recommend that you locate the brushes and slip rings to give them some attention. The brushes will sometimes stick in the holders and the machine won't generate power. The slip rings will oxidize over time and again, can cause problems with it not producing power. Use scotchbrite to polish them. There is also a chance that the rotor has lost residual magnetism and that it won't produce power. This can usually be corrected. To do so, start the engine and plug in a reversible drill. If the drill is set to rotate clockwise, hold the trigger and use your other hand to spin the chuck counter clockwise.