Coleman Powermate 1500 Watt Mega Pulse Generator

I have had my Powermate for a few years now, and it has more than 1100 hours on it (every new toy I buy gets an hour meter, since this has 12vdc out, makes it easy to add hour meter for maintenance). A B&S engine with this many hours is doing pretty well, and I have no problem with the engine itself.

The generator part is the issue. There is no active voltage regulation, just a feedback capacitor. This means that at no load, your voltage will be high, as well as the frequency (128vac @ 65Hz out of the box and warmed up). Half Load and frequency stabilizes @ about 127vac @ 61Hz, which isn't too bad once the governor stops hunting (which isn't bad either). Full Load is where problem lies, 110vac @ 57Hz. Most appliances will be affected by the voltage changes, it's just a matter to what degree they are affected.

I use my generator for power tools, remote battery charging (with a dedicated charger I designed for this generator), and running lamps and a heater in the chicken coop when have eggs hatching.

I perform the maintenance religiously. I get about 5-6 hours per gallon, closer to 5. Yeah, the engine is starting to wear- after this many hours, it is expected. I also abuse this generator. I don't use the stock fuel tank for a number of issues (see below), but I have connected an outboard engine marine tank (10 gallons) that I place above the generator. When the fuel runs out, it's time to go through the routine and do the maintenance. The carburetor style (float and bowl) allows this without having to worry about the engine flooding. A fuel pump is not required.

The vent in on-board fuel tank allows moisture (dew) to get into the fuel. High engine heat also heats the tank, and one can see the fumes coming off the vent when generator is running. The 12v DC sockets are a joke, they wear out quickly with little use as do the 120v AC sockets.

Air Filters are fairly easy to find, you can find them on clearance each fall. I buy them by the case. The same goes for spark plugs. Buy them on clearance, pre-gap them before you need them, and just replace the plug when you need to. (Don't clean the spark plugs- it's not worth the effort on this generator.)

Cold Temperature starting leaves a little bit to be desired, but I also run 10w30 oil, vs a synthetic oil. Still, after the 2nd or 3rd pull (if you remembered to choke it and turn fuel on) it fires right up. Warm Temperature running yielded some interesting smells when running full load for long time. Part of my housing softened from the heat, but no other problems except for fuel (see above).

I bought my generator to run power tools, resistive loads, light inductive loads. It does that pretty well. I would not put anything with an electronic display on it though. Would I buy this generator again vs. one of the newer inverter generators? Who knows? If I knew that I was going to use it for the same purposes that I am now, I probably would. For future planning & the proliferation of electronic devices, probably not. Then I would go with an inverter-generator.

I have had my Powermate for a few years now, and it has more than 1100 hours on it (every new toy I buy gets an hour meter, since this has 12vdc out, makes it easy to add hour meter for maintenance). A B&S engine with this many hours is doing pretty well, and I have no problem with the engine itself.

The generator part is the issue. There is no active voltage regulation, just a feedback capacitor. This means that at no load, your voltage will be high, as well as the frequency... more

I've had mine for about two years now, and only had to use it 6 times due to power failure. The average use was 8 hours each time. I ran it in my garage (with the door open), just to keep the noise down for other residents.

The only complaint I have is it searches a lot when not on medium to heavy load. I love it otherwise- when everyone on street had their lights out, I was running Internet, tv, fridge, several lights, Playstation3 (yes, I was gaming while power was out), and my small beer fridge. No law against drinking and generating :)

It is a very convenient size, not too loud, easy start every time, with no weird smells after use (I'm very anal about keeping things clean and do store it in my basement).

It is just a tidy package, and seems to do more work than 1500 watts.

I've had mine for about two years now, and only had to use it 6 times due to power failure. The average use was 8 hours each time. I ran it in my garage (with the door open), just to keep the noise down for other residents.

The only complaint I have is it searches a lot when not on medium to heavy load. I love it otherwise- when everyone on street had their lights out, I was running Internet, tv, fridge, several lights, Playstation3 (yes, I was gaming while power was out), and my small... more

Starts right away every time. Good, consistent power for our RV. I have used only maybe 5-10 hours but has been a great generator so far. Negatives: kind of heavy to lift into my truck camper

This product worked very well during my last 11 hour power outage and only refilled the tank two times and used half of the power.

Electric Generators Direct is Very Profesional I live in Miami and have recomended it to all my family and freinds very knowledgible staff kind careing No problems I did not expect that high of service. If you are going to buy a generator buy it from electric generators direct since service exceded my expectitations i am going to buy another generator i need from yall.

Thanks

And to think this idiot was miffed because it cost him a moose. I would have been worried about my son.

I can't believe that after 5 minutes in an enclosed space he wouldn't think something is wrong. Some people shouldn't have kids...

John Billingham!...it is not Coleman's fault you don't have any more brains than a rabbit. I "strongly advise" you slap yourself silly for taking your own stupidity out on your son. What did you THINK exhaust fumes (from anything!)in a truck would do??? Be glad you are still alive...many as stupid as you don't get back home. buy yourself an 'I'm with stupid' tee shirt and make sure the arrow points UP at yourself!

JON BILLINGHAM, you would run a gas power engine in a closed truck, lmao

JON BILLINGHAM,

Would you run your car in your garage with the door closed? Why would you run a gas generator in your truck? It's people like you that the Warning labels can't be big enough for. What makes it worse it that you had a kid in there with you.

You are not qualified to write a review because you are not qualified to operate this machinery with any common sense.

i have had my little toy abought and hour now.brought it home and pulled the cord to start it and bam it fired right up. i t is a bundle of joy i would sleep with it if i could. thanks to the colmen company for making my life simple.......... god bless''

When you think of camping, you think of Coleman.

I've used this generator for camping with my air conditioned travel trailer and as an emergency power source during the Florida Storm season. It will power a small air conditioner (9000 btu) and a refrigerator which is a real life saver in the summer heat. It uses far less gas than the bigger generators and it is significantly lower priced than similar sized Japanese generators, the trade off being that it weighs approximately 20 lbs more and is not as quiet.

When you think of camping, you think of Coleman.

I've used this generator for camping with my air conditioned travel trailer and as an emergency power source during the Florida Storm season. It will power a small air conditioner (9000 btu) and a refrigerator which is a real life saver in the summer heat. It uses far less gas than the bigger generators and it is significantly lower priced than similar sized Japanese generators, the trade off being that it weighs approximately 20 lbs more... more