Abandoned Powermate Generator

This generator was abandoned on a rental property when the tenant moved out. The property owner donated this abandoned Powermate generator to the channel. The run condition is unknown. Let’s find out if it runs and makes power.
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[@BrucesShop]

OK it looks great Nice job. I live getting them going from priming first.

[@asgharnazautosmoterbaikewa7723]

There is a very easy way to fix it when the kick of generator repairing gets jammed, see in this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3jKd6Z4lMiUm6s

[@jcondon1]

Me too. I saw you running that Briggs on a can of starting fluid. Good little engine.

[@BrucesShop]

I think I meant love getting them going. LOL

[@randytorboli]

​​@@jcondon1the muffler on the engine looks exactly like the Subaru and Yamaha generator engines do

[@mattslimmer8633]

I watched through this whole video with my 2 1/2 year old son and afterwards, he was playing with his legos and told me that he was building a generator. Priceless. Thanks for another solid (and toddler friendly) repair video! :)

[@jcondon1]

Nice

[@PuertoRicanModz]

I live off a generator and watching you do repairs gives me the confidence to work on my own gen when needs be

[@alansmith4734]

3:21 Just like replacing a bicycle tube, place the tube in a shopping bag. Sprinkle some Baby Powder in the bag, and shake. A powder coated tube seats better in the tire. If a tube has a leak, simply inflate the tube and immerse it in a larger container of water. Look for air bubbles. If air bubbles are spotted, mark the spot where the leak is, and patch it using a tube patch. Plastic tire tools are safer, and less prone to causing damage to tire, tube, or rim.

[@Rev-D1963]

The baby powder trick is old school, and works every time! I was going to share that if someone else didn't. Thanks Alan! God bless. Rev. D.

[@jcondon1]

@@PabloDiablo682 it was beyond a patch. The valve stem was detached from the tube :(

[@AP-514]

@@jcondon1 Ah the plot thickens

[@abergbe1]

After having watched quite a few of Mr. Condon's videos, I dare say, that these machines are far too sensitive and complicated to maintain, to be offered to the general public as a solution to their need of a spare source of electricity. It cannot be expected that the common person has the ability of Mr. Condon, to troubles-shoot and adjust engine and power-head of the machine when it stops working.

[@adnacraigo6590]

Watching you is like viewing a surgeon at work.

[@lv_woodturner3899]

Sometimes you get an easy one to fix. I had not appreciated the big difference an AVR makes before this video. Thanks. Dave.

[@williamvaughan1218]

Although not an optimal solution with an avr you can compensate for voltage drop in a long extension cord run by increasing the voltage at the generator. It is not a solution for using a inferrior guage cord though.

[@darosa5741]

Not bad! You're basically into this 1 liter of oil, a can of spray paint, and a few nuts and bolts. Awesome... 🎉

[@Like0Butter]

Why would anyone give a thumbs down on any of James videos is beyond me. Anyhow, appreciate the how to on changing the inner tube but in the future I'd consider using some green slime. It's not meant for hi-speed tires but lawn mowers and gensets are a perfect application. Much easier solution and it lasts!

[@watermanone7567]

There are stupid people everywhere, and those thumbs down people are just plain stupid. As Ron White the comedian says "You can't fix stupid" Thanks

[@Fred2-123]

The thumbs down is right above the "view replies" button. Easy to miss with the mouse and hit it.

[@rossboyd2272]

Really why would anyone, if by chance if you just happen to read this and your one of those that gave 👎 give us a explanation please !

[@CarlGerlach]

I have been starved for more James Condon generator repair video. Thank you for taking the time.

[@tomseipert3755]

Another Great Video James, I always learn something new even its just a small things. Thanks for doing these videos. I really enjoy them. I have an older Generac generator that I now know how to troubleshoot and fix.

[@watermanone7567]

130 volts is o.k. , gives better starting current for refrigerators etc. Thanks for the video.

[@jcondon1]

I agree. Running then on the high side will only help it when starting a large load.

[@MelvinTheGrate]

130 volts is about what my utility power used to be when I first moved here. When it got up to 135 volts I would call and complain. A worker would come out and confirm my reading, then an adjustment would be made somewhere to bring it back down to 128 volts or so. The only thing it hurt was the lifetime on incandescent lamps, but the utility provided those "free". I put that in quotes because they were long-life lamps with low lumen output, but at 130 volts they were actually pretty decent.

[@throwbo]

@@MelvinTheGrate When and where was this? US spec is 120V +/- 5% which should be 126V max (114V min). Oddly enough, a lot of modern stuff with electronic power supplies (computers, LED lamps, etc.) are not that picky about voltage. Look at the power brick on your laptop and it will say something like 90 to 240V. Electronics runs on DC anyway and it's possible to design a AC to DC converter that puts out the same DC voltage regardless of what the incoming AC is (within limits).

[@MelvinTheGrate]

@@throwbo In a suburb of Chicago, about 20 miles west of the city. It's been at least 20 years since this was a problem.

[@DeadKoby]

Nice to get repairs that are straightforward. Sometimes challenges are fun, but for business purposes, the faster you reach the goal, the better.

[@jcondon1]

I agree. The tough ones make good videos, but not good for business.

[@blessedhands2535]

I like the way it fixed.

[@UhBuddy1976]

Been watching a lot of your videos lately because I’ve taken an interest in working on small engines and generators. 130 volts is acceptable. The tolerance for most appliances and electronics is between 110 and 130. As long as that range is maintained, everything should be fine. You can also add a voltage regulator to a generator if you choose to do so.

[@alancombe6083]

James If you spray the plastic parts in a vinyl spray on polish for about 10 hrs then just wipe it off, it will give the plastic that new look

[@oemytech]

James, I bought a Kill-O-Watt meter for my new 11,500/9,000 Generator. But, I found other uses for it. Thanks for the tip.

[@jcondon1]

Nice 👍

[@Silent-Lucidity]

Not sure what it is, but I love watching the wrinkles of a flat tire disappear when inflated! :)

[@zrkn1]

Bada-bing bada-boom cha-ching :-) Thank you for painting and cleaning it, I was concerned for a moment there. Have a great weekend.

[@billiebobbienorton2556]

FYI IMPORTANT - Let me add something since I own the same generator. You MUST check the *inside* of gas filler cap. The inside of the cap has a sort of plastic (?) "membrane" that I suppose is to give a better seal against gas fumes. Today (Aug 13, 2024) when preparing/checking the running condition, I noticed the "membrane" had deteriorated and was disintegrating ! ! It turns out many pieces of this inner cap fell into the gas tank. When the generator was leaning towards the gas line pick up the generator stopped. It turns out the pieces were blocking the filter that is in the gas tank where the grommet and fuel shut off valve are. I removed the gas tank, dumping it out and lots of pieces of this substance was inside the tank. I then washed the tank out with water several times and finally all the pieces of junk came out. Being anal and a touch of OCD I also removed the shut off valve and replaced it. There is a strainer/filter attached to the shut off valve that goes into the tank. It was something that would have been extremely difficult to figure out and fix if I needed the generator during a hurricane or blizzard. (I live on Long Island, NY)

[@butler386]

Now that was a good deal. Looks like it will be a great generator for someone. Great fix to bring it back to showroom condition.

[@renzcortado4597]

That exact same gen gave us power after typhoon paka on guam for 3 months. Brings some memories back when me and gramps wired it to the house etc.. then when we got it running we were the only house in the whole neighborhood that was lit up

[@RiverratGoRVing]

Lovely home, you have. As always you've saved something and turned it into something very useful.

[@dannyj5688]

Have same gen.. Purchased in 2003. Close to 200 hrs. on it....Great generator and no problems with it at all, so far....I attribute this to: Running 1/2 hr every 2 months, oil change every 40 to 50 hrs, keeping fuel tank empty until needed, running all fuel out of carburetor before storage, storing it out of the weather.

[@Plons0Nard]

James, my man, Still working on the floor. You're a smart guy, you know better. Cheers 🤝🇳🇱

[@matthewroot3939]

FYI they make a rust converter spray. Remove loose rust. Spray,and it converts it to a primer for paint

[@leodanryan966]

You got really lucky with that one James. 👍

[@dirtroadsailing6418]

Thank you for painting the muffler and stator! It really messes with my OCD when you leave parts rusty.

[@markphillips6154]

Glad to see some power tools coming into play

[@webmastercaribou7570]

So, generator detailing today. Nice

[@robertanderson2118]

You should always check the inside of your tire before installing a new tube or you might distroy the new tube the same way the other tube was leaking. Love your vidio's

[@Rev-D1963]

Another cool video James, thanks for sharing it with us. God bless. Rev. D.

[@JMassengill]

Take your ring off! If you ever see a degloving injury, you’ll never wrench with a ring on again.

[@eugenefredrickson8714]

And that's why they call me..."3 finger Joe"

[@scottdenhamrealestate7716]

I have to agree with that one. I used to work on copiers and the last thing you want is to get caught or spark some electric. the shredder repair guys stopped wearing ties for the same reason!

[@michaelbyoung1]

Indeed. I wear a silicone safety ring most of the time and only put on the gold when dressing up.

[@homeFall1]

@@eugenefredrickson8714 shakin' hands with danger eh?

[@semlohde1]

Wow- images of that poster in flight school started me with no rings. Stripped that finger solid. Whew.

[@davidhelmuth6654]

Reminds me of a grind of mine and an old bike he had. Got it running good but it still looked like crap. He told me if you want to cover up something that bad you paint it flat black and give it some jewelry. 😂 Kinda what you did with that muffler. 😬 It’s a shame that someone didn’t take better care of it in the first place. Turned out great. Thank you

[@asgharnazautosmoterbaikewa7723]

In this video see very easy way to do generator repairing kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3jKd6Z4lMiUm6s

[@wildefox1478]

Nice work on this one James, at least it didn't need much, it already ran and made power!

[@deangentles4966]

Hi james nice sitting in your class today great to have a gene with no issues for a change a drop of paint and as good as new

[@jcondon1]

Thanks Dean

[@rayshutsa6690]

Thank you for another great video. Always learning something new. Always you do awesome work. 🇨🇦

[@kpdvw]

when it runs a nice as it looks now then you have another winner !

[@franleck]

Great save and awesome end product.

[@joeyveres4633]

Love your professionalism !

[@jackieohio9486]

very knowable

[@Jim-ie6uf]

Sometimes ya get an easy one. Great video as always.

[@Mike95inNJ]

Nice score. Love your videos James. Just fixed a trash picked continous 5000w that I fixed with help from one of your videos. Thanks!

[@jcondon1]

Great to hear that another one was saved! Hopefully it was not too bad.

[@scottdenhamrealestate7716]

Good work as always James. I think the renters just didn't have any place to take it. I would have tried to clean it and sell it. I'm now in a condo and will try to sell mine or just keep it for a future house flip. Sometimes hard to leave a house and have power equipment you just can't use anymore.

[@jodymcrae4830]

I have the same generator and suddenly the 110 receptacles on one side only stopped working. I believe you touched on this in one video but I don’t recall which video it was. Could you please refresh my memory on that ,I very much enjoy your channel

[@markwiley9516]

James you really need to get a table lift would make your life easier and a great job again 👏👍

[@douglasthompson2740]

PS: Use Rusty Metal Primer by Rustoleum first to convert that flash rust. Then top coat with whatever. I have had good luck with much heavier rust than that using the Rusty Metal Primer after just blowing it off with air.

[@asgharnazautosmoterbaikewa7723]

In this video see very easy way to repair generator kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3jKd6Z4lMiUm6s

[@larrykelly2838]

Nice generator to get, some tlc and ya got a great running generator.

[@joshg1244]

I have this identical generator! Super excited to see you work on one. My voltage isn’t quite that high however, but my UPS’ don’t like when it’s above 128v so it’ll bounce on and off a lot lol

[@throwbo]

Many (most) cheap "offline" UPS's don't really like generator power. The quality of the power is ALMOST good enough for them so they will bounce back and forth between line power and battery every few seconds. It's a known issue. Either you can get a very expensive double conversion "online" UPS or else just don't use a UPS with a generator.

[@melkiorwiseman5234]

@@throwbo Getting an "inverter" generator will generally fix that problem, especially if it's a "true sine wave" inverter, although sometimes a "modified sine wave" will also work. I gather that it's the THD which makes a UPS go "nope, I'm not accepting this" and inverters generally seem to have a lower THD. (And sorry for necro-posting but I thought this information would be useful)

[@mjg263]

It’s nice to get an easy one once in a while!

[@jackieohio9486]

very knowable young fellow you need to build or have built a stand to put gen sets on AM NOT trying to tell you what to do but my back at 70 and yours's will be the same if you don't start working at waist high . I know i was young once ' worked on those CATERPILLAR FOR 38 years and now my back knows it . keep up good work

[@jcondon1]

Thanks Jackie. Starting to look at some tables.

[@jimdavenport4484]

Getting one in that great of shape doesn’t happen much you deserve a break today 👍

[@Bill-xc8le]

Another excellent video james, I love your passion and mechanical skills. To bad that small engine guy on the other channel would do more fixing instead of live chatting every Sunday!

[@asgharnazautosmoterbaikewa7723]

In this video see very easy way to do generator on generator kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3jKd6Z4lMiUm6s

[@mafosa8519]

this just makes me want to go "hand pick!" a generator set and build it from scratch!

[@Rochesterhome]

You'll forget more than I know about generators, but, always check inside the tire to make sure there's nothing sharp poking in that may have taken the tube out in the first place.

[@jaycahow4667]

A little Armor All on the plastic and tires would make them look much better.........

[@eugenefredrickson8714]

I keep waiting for ya to tighten a bolt and say "click". Throw a jab at Ave for fun.. Love your vijayos.. K

[@jcondon1]

It has happened. Or just do what most KZbinrs do. "I will torque this to factory spec and turn you back on in a second". Video comes back on "all torqued". Sure it is...

[@AZVIDS]

Great score James, you deserve it (I saw a 4H emblem on your shirt once)👍👍👍👍

[@donaldelrod9172]

you notice the plates in the stater are welded together? eddy currents can't magnetize thin strips of metal so change in magnetic field at 60hz doesn't add drag of reverse emf switching and diminish the limited hp efficiency. other wise, great presentations j.

[@andyanaoutdoors2487]

Just repaired same one in same condition. Amazon carb and an oil change is all it needed.

[@thomasguilder9288]

As it‘s a brushless the capacitor might be on the upper range of its tolerance and thus the output voltage is a tad high, you might consider checking the cap next time to adjust the volts

[@Art-jl6pt]

Thank you for showing us how to troubleshoot and fix equipment -please pick up an older craftsman LT 1000 with bs 18 hp (2005-2010)if possible -one with carb issues&carbon buildup fowling spark plugs.transmission hard to shift a plus!thx my friend

[@raymondj8768]

GREAT DEAL !

[@itsallfabrication]

Thanks for the vid James.

[@ron827]

Super job as usual and glad you had an easy one for a change. 100% profit! :-) Patch the tube? I believe finger tight is adequate on oil filler plugs.

[@tarstarkusz]

You should get some tire levers and a patch kit.

[@throwbo]

I have almost this identical generator. The no-load voltage on an non-AVR generator is not important (it tends to be a little high) because normally generators are run under load. The ratings on this generator (e.g. 6250W peak) are based on 25A @ 125V (not 120V). 125V is still within US spec for utility power (120V +/- 5%) and won't damage anything. I liked the readings at a 3000W load better before James started than after he monkeyed with the governor (BTW, bending the tab is the correct procedure but I have to say that it is a half-arsed way of adjusting speed - for another nickel they could have included an adjusting screw). The Briggs engines on these are pretty good - they are from before the era when Briggs cheapened the internals with plastic, pressed on cams instead of forged, etc. The Nikki carbs usually suck so you really got lucky. The "sealed for life" bearing in the bell housing sometimes overheats and melts the plastic and then you are in trouble because you can't get a new bell housing for these things anymore. If you really wanted to be proactive you could replace the bearing - it's a standard bearing that you could get from an auto parts store (not from Coleman Powermate which is long out of business) .Otherwise, there's not much to break on the generator end - there are a couple of diodes (or else a single piece bridge rectifier - depending on the model year. Some of the very late ones had a little circuit board with undersized diodes), a capacitor, a couple of brushes (that are different from the modern type). No AVR. You can still get these parts - in fact upgraded parts that are better than the factory originals. They were really nickel and diming the costs on these and used the cheapest parts that they could get away with. The ones that you find that still run have usually been kept dry and have not seen a lot of use. They were really not the greatest generators ever (nor the quietest) - built to a (low) price point - the sold in home stores market niche that is occupied today by low end Chinese generators. If you were to really stress this one, its age would be revealed one way or another but if someone keeps using it lightly (now and then for outages) then it may last some more years.

[@christophermarshall5765]

When I saw this, it looked well looked after.

[@jgarmer]

Black por 15 on that rust its amazing stuff you only need a tiny bit also put plastic wrap between lib and can keep in fridge after opening

[@piconano]

Well done. Hope you $ell it for a good price.

[@RC-fu6hg]

As always a great video. Thanks 👍

[@additudeobx]

Just a word of caution..... when ever using those scissor jacks.... always use a jack stand ;) lol

[@arthurbiringer5676]

Another great job! Keep it up!

[@scottdunn4506]

I can’t believe someone left behind a working generator then again people always leave stuff behind when they move

[@MsDave64]

That's what I like . Not only the easy fix, but going the extra distance with the touch up paint on the exhaust and the power head black section made it look nice. James, don't think I didn't notice the new spark arrestor LOL (It looked upside down but I could be wrong, The lettering is usually on the largest flange). That is ok you didn't have a lot of edge distance up top and it may have stuck up too high. As always I enjoyed the visit to your world. Have a good day my friend.

[@cbauer72]

It's not often we get to see the part where you pretty up the generators.

[@mistastabs5840]

Thanks another great video...

[@kevgermany]

You got lucky. Pleased for you.

[@badtothebone346]

Great job cleaning her up. The one time that you didn't have to clean a carb, how often does that happen?

[@jcondon1]

Almost never

[@aaronpowell4885]

Nice find! Seeing how it appeared to be properly put into storage, I wander if the smoke on first start wasn't from the cylinder being fogged/coated before it was put away.

[@congminhle1726]

Where are you from? I live in Vietnam, I see many Japanese and Chinese brands. Your work is so good!.

[@jcondon1]

New York

[@lju3428]

easy one. But i really like the basket cases

[@jcondon1]

Got a few of those in.the works

[@robertmailhos8159]

It a crying shame when someone left that Gen set behind but got it and show it some t.l.c

[@asgharnazautosmoterbaikewa7723]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3jKd6Z4lMiUm6s

[@r8118830]

This comment is not so much about this particular video but about James complaints about staining in the gas tank after using evaporust. It is a comment I came upon in a forum. - Default Black Oxide is Iron Oxide, just like rust, and that's what Evaporust dissolves, so it's instantly gone. The interface between Evaporust and air seems to remove the metal, I don't know what that effect is called, but I've never had metal removed from submerged steel. I've soaked a piece of cast iron for a long time without visual damage, but it wasn't real pretty to begin with so maybe I wouldn't have noticed. I have noticed that old darkened Evaporust will leave a dark stain on just about any steel if left in long enough, and the higher carbon content of the steel the sooner it will appear, even with fairly fresh Evaporust. I've also noticed a dark deposit on top of thick rust barnacles that stops the process. These photo are of a water pump that was really thick with barnacles inside. I had to pull it out every other day and brush off the black deposit from the barnacles to get the Evaporust to resume working. This is a pretty extreme case though, and I was deliberately testing what it would do. If I put something sensitive in it, I use fairly fresh liquid and check it every 2 hours. I've done some nice measuring tools and fixtures without any ill effects. - It is an interesting statement. I wonder if its true./

[@ericvaughn1126]

Glad you got an easy one to flip (thanks Paul!) and nice work on improving the appearance with some paint. You did what you could do with the voltage and it seemed reasonable to me with limited control sans AVR. I think you once said that voltage should be above 114 in the low side. Is that right? Perhaps you covered that in the somewhat recent video showing the quality/difference between an inverter generator and traditional? If not, would be great to have such a reference video on what frequency and voltage limits units should be tuned to and/or how to watch them realtime to see if one is overloading their generator. I also must admit that I'd be curious to see if simple overloading is what it would take to melt down a set of brushes like I've seen and replaced on several that I've flipped. The obvious risk/hazard may not be worth it of course. Fantastic quality as usual and please do...keep em coming!

[@raymondj8768]

i found some nice foam filled tires on ebay 50 bucks no more flats i like em .

[@robertcalahan8815]

I wonder why you don’t have a lift table you can buy them from Harbor freight fairly cheap and your back wall I really appreciate and your Knees

[@davidjones1393]

NICE

[@jcondon1]

Thanks

[@Farm_fab]

Jim, one of the rust converting primer products might have been a good call.

[@rickduncan362]

James, I like your videos and how you go about determining what is wrong with these generators. Most of these are mechanical but could you explain what the killawatt is for, where did you get it and is it connected to the gen when you test for Hertz and RPMs.

[@jcondon1]

The killawatt meter was designed to plug into different appliances around your house so you can see how much power they use. It will keep track of the total killawatt hours used over a period of time which can then be used to calculate a monthly or yearly cost of running that device. They are available at Harbor Freight and Amazon. I think I have link on my web store www.amazon.com/shop/jamescondon. It also is useful for many other things. In my case it is convenient to plug into a generator outlet to see the voltage and hertz.

[@billhenry7833]

Sounded like it was surging at the end

[@Luis-2124]

Hello, have you ever tried to maintain the voltage of these generators without reducing the speed but lowering the µF of the capacitor, perhaps less than 5µF/10µF

[@MrSuzukiyamaha]

Starting fluid in a dry cylinder. I cringed the whole time . A squirt of oil in a dry cylinder is your friend.

[@PokerMonkey]

Interesting that you did Not remove the carb and give it the usual cleaning.

[@00recon]

You could have put rust converter on the stator if you didn't want to paint it. That would have turned it black and looked better than the rust. It's probably been mentioned but, I didn't read through all the comments.

[@fire44x]

About time yot spent sone money bought a raising work bench

[@nekotherion7317]

Nice work :)

[@YukonHawk1]

The genny looked like it came out of the show room by the time you were finished with it. Nice job with the painting. The renters loss is your gain. Awesome pickup. On a side note I hope you were able to repair your trailer and hopefully take a well deserved vacation with your family. 👍👍💪💪

[@jcondon1]

Removed the jacks for now. Looking into new systems, but will not install until the fall most likely.

[@juggie396]

Hi James I've been following you for a few and you are awesome with dignoising those generator I'm in a wheelchair and for a hobby I've been during small engine repairs I have two generators with different problems power mate generator was used twice set ups for a while runs good no power tried flashing it still no power and I have a genarac that runs good when load is applied it wants to kill both are for friends thanks for any helpful advise I'm out of town due to hurricane IDA won't be back home until Monday.

[@jcondon1]

Is the Powermate powered by a Subaru? If so, then no protection between the exhaust and the stator an most likely cooked the stator. The Generac I would guess the AVR, but hard to say.

[@juggie396]

@@jcondon1 Hi James I'll check and see what the power mateis power by you are talking about the engine right also I'll let you know something about what's going on with them when I get back home Saturday but thanks for the quick response.

[@andrewlast2156]

Have you checked the tyre?.