Coleman Powermate Generator repair

[Bill Jeffrey]

I have a Coleman Powermate Powerbase 2250 watt generator. During a
power failure last week, I started it up and started running the furnace
and the refrig. It ran fine for 10 minutes, then suddenly stopped
generating. The Briggs and Stratton engine continued to putt along just
fine, but electric power stopped coming out of the outlet.

I have popped the end bell off the generator end, and confirmed that the
circuit breaker is closed and has continuity. The outlet is good, the
brushes are good, and the coil that is powered through the brushes has
continuity. I cannot see any corrosion or broken wires, although that
is a possibility since we live near salt water.

The remaining parts in the end bell are a pair of diodes, an
electrolytic cap, and of course the big stator coils which appear to be
connected to the rest of the apparatus with 5 wires.

I am an electrronics engineer by trade, so the basic concepts are
familiar. But I have never worked on power-generating mechanisms. If
anyone has any suggestions, I would be glad to hear them. A generic
diagram of this kind of generator would be great.

Thanks, all

Bill Jeffrey

 

[Bill Jeffrey]

After pondering some more, I rechecked my measurements. Turns out one
of the diodes is shorted - somehow I missed it before.

Still would like to have a schematic of the internal workings of a
generator, if anyone can point me at one.

BTW, the stator coils are connected with 6 wires, not 5.

Bill Jeffrey
======================

Bill Jeffrey wrote:

I have a Coleman Powermate Powerbase 2250 watt generator. During a
power failure last week, I started it up and started running the furnace
and the refrig. It ran fine for 10 minutes, then suddenly stopped
generating. The Briggs and Stratton engine continued to putt along just
fine, but electric power stopped coming out of the outlet.

I have popped the end bell off the generator end, and confirmed that the
circuit breaker is closed and has continuity. The outlet is good, the
brushes are good, and the coil that is powered through the brushes has
continuity. I cannot see any corrosion or broken wires, although that
is a possibility since we live near salt water.

The remaining parts in the end bell are a pair of diodes, an
electrolytic cap, and of course the big stator coils which appear to be
connected to the rest of the apparatus with 5 wires.

I am an electrronics engineer by trade, so the basic concepts are
familiar. But I have never worked on power-generating mechanisms. If
anyone has any suggestions, I would be glad to hear them. A generic
diagram of this kind of generator would be great.

Thanks, all

Bill Jeffrey