Coleman 5,000W Electric Generator

 

Does anyone have any bad experiences with the Coleman 5,000 watt electric
generator?  Its technical specs include:
Control panel with two 120V outlets, one 120/240V twistlock, and circuit
breaker protection
Full perimeter, one inch steel, wrap around carrier protects generator from
damage
5,000 rated watts with 6,250 surge watts of power
Large 5-gallon fuel tank for 6 hours of run time at 50% load
10-hp Tecumseh engine with low oil shutdown
Features a low oil red light alert indicator
Weight: 147 lbs (66.7kg)
Model No. PC0525302.03

 



I used to do warranty work on them 10 years ago.  As long as you pay
attention to the loading they work.  If you get close to max very often they
tend to go  "poof"

I personally would not deal with that motor. But that is my preference not
yours.

 



electric

Specifically, what "poofs"?
I am interested in the failure modes of cheapies.
I have a 3600 RMP "silent diesel", in baffled enclosure, full pressure lube
aircooled, made by DEK, rated 5 kw continuous with a brushless alternator.
What would be the most likely failure point?

 



circuit

The power side of the generator would quit. We built up kits for the models.
Since most of the generators were 10-40 miles one way we would just replace
all of the generator controls.
The people that bought these machines had not a clue what it took to run a
home. Typically they would come home. Fire up the generator. Water pump
would start, then the clothes washer, next came the lights, then appliances
for dinner and poof. Mostly they had propane for stoves, heating water and
heat.  Service calls exploded when cold weather set in.  I went to one house
every week until Coleman said no more. The genny was less than 5 months old.
I was so glad then the utility company finally decided to run some lines out
there.  Most just did not understand what they were doing. One guy bought
his at the box store connected it wrong 3 times and shorted it out. The box
store kept giving him a new one. It was obovious on arrival that the genny
was not going to run for long nor was it installed correctly. Hence no
warranty from Coleman.


I would try to maintain the load at 80% of rating.  Especially when starting
motors.

I have no experience with your unit.

Keep to an oil change schedule
Put a hour meter on the unit and check all the connections every ?? hours.
See the manufacture about recommendations.
Make sure it is grounded properly and connected to the loads properly.  (
tight and water proof )

Higher rpm motors and gennys tend to not last as long as their slower rimed
cousins.

Check to see the air temp rise in your cabinet.  Make sure the engine can
breath as well as keeping the alternator cool when running.

 



generator

models.

replace

appliances

alternator.

starting

[snip good advice]
I am fanatical with respect to doing the right thing. It's on breakin, but I
will switch to Mobil Delvac.
What surprises me is -- I assume the Coleman had a circuit breaker. Yet the
performance envelope is so poorly calculated -- or perhaps Coleman doesnt'
care -- that they still blow like popcorn.
You say the controls went, but these things have passive regulators.
Do you have any post-mortem memories -- fried regulators, burnt wiring,
sockets, diodes?