Coleman generator Quit working.

[wildmaninal]

I bought the 88 model Coleman 1500 generator for a "good price", only been used 3 times. This older lady had it at a yard sale. I got the thing home it hadn't been ran in a long time it still had old gas in it, I took and cleaned everything carbs and gas tank. I broke the carb were the float pin goes through, well instead of buying a new carb for the Kawasaki engine I adapted briggs n straton carburetor to it. I got it running, I plugged in a power tool (don't know if that was smart) to test it and it worked for a moment then it quit putting out power. I had my brother check it out and he took the volt meter to the AC output and it wasn't reading but 7 volts if I recall that correctly. There is a reset button on it but it may be shot I don't know, from what I can tell the cap is missing off of it and it only pulls out but momentarily. What can you guys suggest to fix it or test it? Or am I wasting my time, just take the motor off and sell it, then how much is the motor worth?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Coleman generator Quit working.

Does it have a low oil cut out switch? Is it level when running?

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Coleman generator Quit working.

Does it have a low oil cut out switch? Is it level when running?

Hey Bob, sounds like the engine is running ok, it's the generator not putting out the voltage.
Push the reset button and see what happens. Can't be worse than it is now.
Sounds like maybe rust on the windings maybe where it's been sitting around.
Don't know, not much help on them things.

 

[rwise]

Re: Coleman generator Quit working.

take a look at the brushes also make sure they move freely. For a test you could jump out the reset long enuf to see if its bad or not.

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: Coleman generator Quit working.

Hey guys I appreciate your advice. Bob I'm sorry I was tired when I posted the thread and wasn't completely aware that I didn't add "that it is running". Pays to be alert and aware when posting threads and post lol.

SBN I tried pushing, pulling, cursing , at the button and doesn't help. The only thing I just thought of is that the button may be froze up, so you might half to push it in but it won't push in. Maybe I can spray it with something to see if it does anything. Not to say that it is rust free but it was stored inside for years in the ladies utility room, which I know it still can rust because moisture still can get to it.

rwise. If I end up checking the brushes I hope they aint as big of a pain to get to as they are on these smaller motors, I may end up having to do that. I might try to jump the reset button out, the only thing that worries me is it may be more like a small breaker, instead of a switch if that makes any sense.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Coleman generator Quit working.

I think it will still be 2 wires that you can bridge to check.
Also might take a meter and check to see that you have voltage on both sides of the reset button.

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: Coleman generator Quit working.

Well I tried bridging the wires of the reset button by locking one in on the other, this didn't do nothing but disable the shut off switch so I had to choke the motor to kill it. I tested it with the volt meter (witch I need to learn more about). I honestly don't know much about reading a needle version, barely remember how to read a digital. That is one reason I let my brother check it because he uses a volt meter on a daily basis. I have a GE meter with a needle Gage on it, I put it on ACV (10amp I assume) and it reads around 100 to 150 off of the shut off switch not the reset button. The reset button doesn't read a thing. I went to borrow my father's digital meter and it must be dead. Under ACV on my meter I have a 500, 250, and 10 setting. Under 250 it just barely moves the needle when I checked the main shut off switch. One theory I have is that I might of blew something when I changed the carb on it because i had to adjust the throttle, and the RPM may of went to high and blew or burnt something up. I'm going to get my father's digital out again and replace the battery, see if I can't test again with that meter then I'll report back.

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: Coleman generator Quit working.

Average 122 mA reading at the main switch but the digital meter was going a little nuts and I had it set on V AC 200m. I'm no expert with these meters.