Powermate Generator Not Making Power - Can it Be Fixed?

[@troyyarbrough]

There is just something oddly satisfying about watching you take a non-working generator, lawn mower, etc and working your magic to make them useable again. You made this old genny not only work again, but made it look 500% better than when you got it. Thanks for taking me on these journeys with you. By the way, I can't count the number of times I've had to cut my own gaskets for projects.

[@raymondgarafano8604]

I had to make a few gaskets and the auto parts place was closed. my cuz was getting his plc redone and something told me ta go there. he had a fair amount of Ram Board temporary flooring and I found it to be great for gaskets for carb bowls and intake manifold gaskets between carb and block.

[@jeffclark2725]

I just picked up a Twin to this with a running Subaru engine, no output,I did the same checks you did, when I took the back coveroff,the capacitor was blown up,replaced it and it works again, great video

[@philliphall5198]

I bought a back up capacitor 15 years ago for our two units , have not replaced it yet but I very cautious about turning on and off I think that’s why they fail is unplug it while under load 😢

[@philliphall5198]

Plus service the sun engines more than needed 😊😊😊

[@lawrencepevitts2434]

So far the guy didn't lie, it does need brushes. That carb cleaned up real nice. The before & after is amazing. You're a miracle worker. Love your videos.

[@Darryl603]

It goes to show that you can never take the customer's word for a diagnosis. Just start from square one and troubleshoot the unit with a methodical approach. If you follow a theoretical, systematic flow chart, eventually you will arrive at the problem. Also, a sharp eye that comes with experience goes a long way too. Great job James

[@michaeltarasenkoop2389]

Amazing as to the knowledge that. You poses with a person with no knowledge your show is amazing!

[@jerrybootneck1736]

Your attention to detail is exemplary and I'd buy a generator off you any day.

[@philliphall5198]

I agree and I would know it be fixed and tested better than a new one 😊😊😊

[@w2dmw]

Well, through the quagmire of this brushless system, once again, you have taken us logically, through the diagnostics, and located, and repaired the problem. Bravo, Jim...!!!

[@FeralPreacher]

Merry Christmas, James. Your ability to go the extra mile and make the unit perfect is commendable. May you and the family have a healthy and happy Christmas season. Thanks for sharing.

[@jcondon1]

Thanks! You too

[@Melicoy]

@@jcondon1 what about the elephant in the room.... rust from the tank into the carb :( can that be fixed?

[@tomtee4442]

@@jcondon1 do you sell any of your generators and equipment? Where are you out of if you do?

[@brad9529]

I love when you fully restore them like this video, you do a good job, they look great.

[@jcondon1]

Thanks

[@christophermarshall5765]

Good job. That capacitor shifted the whole job completely. Cheap generator. Merry Christmas.

[@scottdenhamrealestate7716]

Another great save James! All these generators have increased your parts pile to complete any project. I hope you are having a great holiday season and even better things for 2022

[@jcondon1]

Thanks Scott. Hope you have a good 2022

[@michaeltarasenkoop2389]

James your videos just glue you to your show I could watch the videos for hours and not get bored with watching your knowledge at work ! Also learning how to work on small parts without breaking them ! I used to break parts by over tightening nuts and bolts you using a torchwrench really impressed me never had or used one !

[@jcondon1]

I have made the same mistake and watched plenty of others do the same. These bolts are small and easily break or strip out.

[@tempusveritas8901]

You have to love copper windings! Merry Christmas James

[@francisbailey3831]

Ben Bailey, Good morning, James. You are the master generator technician. As I say, that if you are going to do a job, do it well as you always do. From North Carolina to Massachusetts, Merry Christmas to you and your family. Be Safe and enjoy.

[@jcondon1]

Thanks. Merry Christmas and a happy new year.

[@bryandowdey1779]

It must be very satisfying for you to make a very decent and well operating generator out of such a rusty and dirty old machine. Great work. Your attention to detail is good to see and hopefully very encouraging for others to bring back to life old engines and generators. I wish you and your family a merry Christmas and a happy and healthy new year!

[@jcondon1]

Thanks and Merry Christmas

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

I'm impressed that carb ran and ran so well with the amount of rust and water it had in it and the bowl just wow @23:12 @James Condon

[@jcondon1]

It is always surprising to see one like that run as well as it did.

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

@@jcondon1 yeah it is

[@brngrofdeth]

It sat long enough to turn to paste in the bottom of the bowl. If it was in fact charging and in use, it would have eventually cleaned up and vibrated loose with more fuel and completely messed up the carb. Good thing they gave up and let it collect dust.

[@BBDragon66]

I was thinking the same thing 😉😉

[@ericvaughn1126]

Great find and save for $50 plus the capacitor and air box parts! Invaluable testing and troubleshooting documentation for anyone chasing the same issue. Thank you for your contribution in that regard. We could sense your lack of enthusiasm for having to do all the detail work to get it looking good once you realized it was going to make power! That's funny and kudos to you for spending the time cleaning up that tank. So annoying when folks over spray paint onto such things. I've used Good Off and Goo Gone to clean up over spray on small engine equipment before. Just have to be careful as sometimes strong enough to remove paint too. Anyway, "must see" KZbin content for sure and Merry Christmas to you and yours!

[@jcondon1]

Goof off works well, but definitely need to test it as it can cause issues. Have a Merry Christmas.

[@charlesbarnard4040]

Thanks for all these wonderful videos James. I cant tell you how much I enjoy them. I've learned so much from you and I really appreciate the time that you put into your channel. Incredibly invaluable info for someone learning about small engines and generators. I recently watched a Mustie1 (another favorite channel) video and directed to him to a video you had done in the past on the same (or very close) type of generator. After I made the post, I realized that you had also commented on his video and explained what steps you had taken. Very, very cool to see that you also watch and even try and help other KZbinrs. 👍. Thanks again and I Hope you have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Years.

[@jcondon1]

Thanks for the feedback. I enjoy watching others make the same repairs that I do. Always looking to help out others. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Years!

[@dquick282]

Just finished the video and love how you clean up things as well. Not too many people have this drive to tear the engine out and paint things. I appreciate your passion to make things right. Keep making great videos.

[@giggiddy]

Merry Christmas my friend. Been watching you from the beginning and you remain at the top of my KZbin list. You are still calm, no drama, intensely diagnostic, and infinitely consistent. Thats almost unheard of, with most creators more focused on creating a brand than creating solid content. Thanks again James.

[@jcondon1]

Thanks for the feedback. I never expected a following, but am happy for it. Have a Merry Christmas.

[@philliphall5198]

Theses are really good engines and I will never get rid off the two we have Been extremely successful and dependable, only had to replace one tank in 20 years 😊

[@43mackmobile]

Those old Toro mower wheels have seen better days, nice find on the capacitor.

[@jimsbagels1991]

It was very satisfying watching that frame get repainted

[@arthureverett8220]

I am a retired electronic tech that repaired TVs,radios,pinball machines,juke boxes,video games. I am learning much from your videos. I have never heard of a brushless generator. This must be a newer unit. I got out of the consumer business when they went to surface mount components

[@jared5862]

Another great video! I can’t thank you enough for all the detail you go into on these. I recently commented on some videos about my old GP5500 with the broken rocker that your videos helped me fix and then I found out that the power head went bad while it was sitting. Well thanks to your videos I fixed that too and now have a working generator again. The culprit ended up being a muddobber wasp nest that was built right on the wire bridge that connects the two windings on the rotor. It corroded the wire bridge in two. I took a new piece of wire and soldered it back together and bingo. She’s now sending the proper voltage to the receptacles. Thanks for all your awesome videos. Merry Christmas and keep up the fine work.

[@jcondon1]

Very nice. Glad to hear.

[@dalemartin9948]

Wow! I enjoyed watching you work on the repair and restoration of the generator. For me that was an amazing video to see. Thanks for the Christmas gift.

[@RK-kn1ud]

Subaru...surprised it didn't have a blown head gasket like all of their cars! I see you found the forbidden orange soda!

[@additudeobx]

and yet another genny receives a second chance at life through the hands of Master Condon. Merry Christmas James...

[@jcondon1]

Thanks! Merry Christmas

[@w056007568]

An excellent video on the resurrection of this unit for proceeding through the assorted stages of testing and checking of both the engine and the powerhead and ultimately finding the electrical issue. I was most surprised how well the engine started and ran on oldish fuel and with all that muck in the carb bowl! Your efforts on tidying up the machines appearance have improved it no end.

[@jcondon1]

It was surprising how well that carb was running the engine. Have had plenty that look perfect but run poorly or not at all.

[@steveferguson3705]

Merry Christmas from Canada have a happy new year

[@jcondon1]

Thanks Steve! Have a Merry Christmas and a happy new year!

[@vmaxride06]

Very much always appreciate your ability to connect with your viewers . The best .. Merry Christmas to your family and all of your subscribers.

[@hirampritchard5588]

Wow, I loved that home made spray booth and the results were great.

[@Rev-D1963]

And the ugly ducking became a beautiful swan once again! It's awesome to see a basket case like that generator come back to life, and look good at the end too! Merry Christmas, God bless you and your family James, and thanks again for your great videos. Rev. D.

[@jcondon1]

Thanks. Merry Christmas and God bless you and your family.

[@Hugo_Overthere]

James, I like your videos for the fact that you clean up your products.

[@wildefox1478]

Great video, that was a deal on that generator for only $50 when all it needed was the right capacitor and a good carb cleaning, nice work James!

[@tedheierman1181]

And excellent researching that it had the wrong part installed by someone else! There's so much good information out there if we look for it.

[@gullfaks]

Felt like 10min... Happy christmas to you from me in snowy Norway.

[@jcondon1]

Merry Christmas and a happy new year!

[@YukonHawk1]

Another outstanding job. I did notice on the new air box that there was what looked like a place for a factory punch out for breather tube like the OEM. That's a moot point. Anyway, great paint job and clean up on a really nice genny. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Continue to stay healthy.

[@jcondon1]

Thanks Paul. The new box could have been modified. Merry Christmas to you and you family.

[@brngrofdeth]

Super score! Can't beat that. Excellent job James! Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Love, blessings and Merry Christmas!

[@waynebrundidge206]

Thanks for the video for a brushless generation. I learn more from each video, thanks

[@andrewgrace4410]

Great restoration and troubleshooting James 😊

[@KensSmallEngineRepair]

Wow, talk about the fiddle fairies! Another great vid Jim, hope you and yours have a safe, happy, healthy holiday!

[@jcondon1]

Thanks Mick. Have a happy holiday.

[@KensSmallEngineRepair]

@@jcondon1 Mick? You forgot me already!!!!

[@Big_Johns]

Bahahahaha.... I can see the resemblance too James. 🤣🤣🤣

[@KensSmallEngineRepair]

Oh boy here we go again……..

[@aymannabil9]

Oh my God.. Well.. This called a factory work and as usual I like the way you analyze the defects and going step by step to find out the problems with the generator. You really made me going crazy with your work despite the generator looked so bad at the beginning but at last you made it looks like a brand new one.. Anyway merry christmas Mr. James and thanks a lot for your detailed explanations👍.

[@mickthwaite]

It is great to see you upgraded your Megger from the hand crank. Happy to see you used primer undercoat on the frame, a great video as always.

[@jcondon1]

Thanks

[@rossrossier935]

Merry Christmas James. You just gave a dose confidence on a 2200 watt,same type, that I'm trying to diagnose,great video!!

[@billkrause4585]

Perfect, and it looks new! When you were cleaning that gas tank it was when I went THUMBS UP!

[@Farm_fab]

I bought a used parts washer, and they used simple green cut with 50% water in it, and they had no problems with it, and the plus side is that it is non-flammable, so no concerns with welding near it. The down side might be if it's able to freeze. Good job on that generator, Jim.

[@jcondon1]

A parts washer is a great investment.

[@kevin34ct]

Great job with this one, after all the repairs and work on the frame it looks brand new.

[@presmak0542]

Your videos are so great that i have to watch twice, Merry Christmas!!

[@jcondon1]

Thanks, Merry Christmas!

[@martynbuzzing3327]

Merry Christmas. I’m finding out so much about fault finding generators . I’ve already ordered a kilowatt tester. Thanks 👏👏👍

[@jcondon1]

Nice

[@TerryLawrence001]

A truly Satisfying rebuild! Awesome work!

[@drmikeosgood]

Well James, I do really enjoy watching you go through the testing series and carborator break-down. I'm glad subscribe your work as I did. Keep up the great work.😄

[@larrykelly2838]

Great job and tutorial Doc., I learned a lot from your electrical knowledge, I appreciate your skills.

[@jcondon1]

Thanks Larry

[@henrymurawskibigdogrepair]

Nice job James looking good 👍

[@jcondon1]

Thanks Henry

[@jeffclark2725]

You have the best of luck using Gear Wrenches,Power drivers,and other assorted battery tools,I usually start out with that stuff,By the time im half way into it on diag im using my old stand by wrenches,nut drivers,and my Fluke meters,Great video,gotta get the high voltage meter

[@kerrygleeson4409]

Thank for sharing James learning a bit more each time 🦘🇦🇺👍

[@somerandomguy3868]

You make it look easy, I know you put a lot of time into this generator and some good money for not cheap parts

[@rbassettjr]

Merry Christmas James! Thanks for all the videos!

[@jmonte2811]

Another great lesson by the Master Professor. Thanks sir!!

[@martinflanagan2506]

Another great video James, I find laquer thinner works great for removing overspray and grease and grime, much faster than alcohol. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Nice restoration.

[@tonym6920]

Just wanted to thank you for sharing your expertise in your excellent videos. Have a safe and wonderful holiday season!

[@jcondon1]

You too, thanks!

[@rodneymiddleton9624]

I wonder why most people loose the air cleaner? Drives me crazy. I make a lot of gaskets too! Thanks James!

[@George-mn4wf]

Grand! I love the diagnostics process!

[@davidbohner692]

You have literally made a “silk purse it of a sow’s ear” outstanding job. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👏👏👏👏👏⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🎅🏻

[@jonminer9891]

Merry Christmas, James. Thanks for sharing! Stay Healthy!

[@kevgermany]

Good work. Cleaning the carb bowl with an abrasive will bring worse rust problems in future, though.

[@jcondon1]

It will rust easier in the future for sure.

[@jimmeroniuk8266]

Nice to see you upgraded to hollow ground screwdrivers. Good choice

[@deangentles4966]

Hi James great sitting in your class again mate prefect job it always looked to good for the parts bin

[@jcondon1]

Thanks Dean!

[@hobtink]

I won’t pretend to tell you how to troubleshoot, repair or work on small engines or generators. You know far more than I and your videos share a wealth of knowledge. However, you are to be congratulated this is the first time I’ve seen you prime before painting. Also, a trigger handle spray can gun makes using spray cans so much easier. Walmart, hobby lobby, harbor freight has them if in stock. Range from $4.80 for 1to $8 for 2. They are well worth their cost. Also, for the best spray paint job you should have the nozzle spray pattern perpendicular to the surface and remain parallel to the painted surface at that distance throughout the spray. Additionally, start your spraying just an inch or so off/away from the surface to be painted and carry through until just about an inch or so beyond the surface to be painted then stop your spray. You’ll use/waste less paint and have a smoother applied layer of paint and less runs. Woo Hoo it sure helped my painting spray painting skills

[@jcondon1]

I actually have one of those spray can guns. Have not seen it in years. Need to find it or buy another. Yes, been using primer recently. Always good luck using rust oleum without it, but cannot argue that it would be better with primer.

[@neil6212]

Actually, there are several features of this unit that are superior, in my experience. First, the use of the Subaru engine. At work, we used literally thousands of them, with very good success. They are very dependable, and what one of the techs in life test commented : "They are what Honda claims to be, in terms of life and parts cost." I also like the fact that they used three point mounting for best vibration dampening. And, I like the brushless design. One of the design engineers told me they could produce a much cleaner output if the rotor was skewed at the correct angle. The capacitor by the way, is important in determining the output voltage and wave form. When I saw the little 5mfd cap, the first thing I thought of it "it is 'way too small." Smallest I have seen used was 16mfd, but most are in the 30 to 45 range.

[@michaeltarasenkoop2389]

With all of these problems if you get this unit running you are a wizard of great proportions bar non !

[@seastacker8582]

Love the videos! I use the same ultra sonic with either awesome cleaner which is probably very similar to the hf stuff or pine sol. Also… the tea ball is brilliant for the small parts! Just got mine from Amazon last night! No more fishing little Jets abs parts out of the scalding hot water.

[@jcondon1]

Thanks

[@freddesjardins7399]

You could have fooled me from the beginning it looked like it co7ld not possibly survive 5he test at the end it looks like it just rolled out of 5h3 factory😁 just a terrific presentation thank you, and I loved seeing the super closeup of the carb reassembly very close detail great camera and camera work as well as editing❤️

[@jcondon1]

Thanks Fred!

[@piconano]

Thanks for another episode of "Trash to treasure". It was very informative as usual. Merry Christmas & happy new year to you and your family.

[@jcondon1]

Thanks. Merry Christmas and a happy new year to you

[@benlyons7752]

Outstanding. Nice job cleaning up this motor and catching the capacitor

[@jcondon1]

Thanks

[@ron827]

Another GREAT job saving a useable generator from a landfill. You have great patience and appear to thoroughly enjoy restoring the paint on such an ugly duckling. BEAUTIFUL Is it just me or might that dipstick (not James) tell us the crankcase was overfilled or full of gasoline. A star washer will do a good job of biting through the paint for a ground.

[@jcondon1]

Thanks for the star washer tip. Will give that a try next time.

[@icefishdaily]

Great work! Santa needs to bring you a lift table-my back hurts watching you bend so much! Merry Christmas!

[@jcondon1]

Someday soon I hope

[@wotknot1757]

@@jcondon1 See? I'm not the only one that complains about not using a lift table. You're hurting our backs too. lol

[@JpJp-zd7vu]

Another Great video James , enjoy youre thorough testing procedures ! This one was Truely a lobor of love. Wish you & you're Family a Merry Christmas ! 🎀

[@jcondon1]

Thanks. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

[@tedheierman1181]

Great video. I think manually cleaning the carb parts is a huge requirement prior to soaking in a cleaner!

[@Bassguitarist1985]

Amazing restoration! Thankfully I haven't come across a machine to do that much paint work but how you painted the frame with the rolling Dolly and cardboard I will certainly use that in the future! Merry Christmas to you and your family looking forward to working together soon!

[@jcondon1]

I wish I could say the was the first I picked up with this much frame rust. At least the tank was plastic. Merry Christmas and a happy new year.

[@Bassguitarist1985]

@@jcondon1 oh yeah if it was metal whoa that be a project. You would have to reseal the inside so it won't rust again.

[@darkwing4475]

Mustie had a lean running light plant last month,, He finally ended up taking the main jet out 2 drill sizes from original with his set of main jet drills,, Engine ran smoothly after that,,, :-)

[@jcondon1]

Sometimes that is the only solution. Have done that before. Sometimes it works well. Other times too much material is removed or worse the drill bit breaks in the jet. So normally avoid it if possible.

[@rancelynch6514]

I can say who ever had this generator before you did surely did not take care of it like you. Every time I see a completed task you finish it’s always the same, “miraculous”.

[@jcondon1]

Thanks. Some are more work then others.

[@rogermcdonald1607]

James its unbelievable how you transformed that machine into something respectable and very functional. I think those wheels are off a Toro recycler. i wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a prosperous Happy New Year! 🌲🌲🇺🇸👍Roger

[@jcondon1]

Thanks Roger. Some have commented from a Toro SR4. Originally it would have had 10” pneumatic wheels. I tried a set, but the generator was no longer level. The predator feet worked much better with the Toro wheels. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

[@paulsto6516]

Love to watch you work, man.

[@jcondon1]

Thanks

[@MrKidi39]

As always, great content. I’m looking at a home generator that’s on a warehouse we are renovating. I hope I can get it!

[@josejoakingallastegivilanu9475]

We have used the kzbin.infoUgkxOTeIs0vv4_9B5hsmnLsk9r930uDQLu_Y for probably 30 hours with our camper and it’s been great! The noise level is really only noticeable when running the AC and other appliances like the microwave, hair dryer, or coffee pot. It’s not huge like other ones and it has wheels so even at 90lbs, I can move it!

[@rmoby]

Beautiful job James

[@r8118830]

Another lovely video James.

[@MrHugawa]

great job, mostly elbow grease makes for a respectable unit.... thx for the video !

[@arthurbiringer5676]

An excellent job as usual! The machine runs perfectly!

[@marcelcanuck]

always enjoy the videos your troubleshooting skills are extraordinary , i pick up a new trick from every episode 👍

[@hectorarroyo2285]

Hi Mr. James !!! Excelent job!!! Thanks... Merry Christmas!!! Happy Hollydays!!! 😁😁😁😁

[@jcondon1]

Thanks. Merry Christmas and a happy new year!

[@rstephe]

Another outstanding breakdown and explanation. Thank you for sharing.

[@mastertech7104]

Thanks James, nice work. Merry Christmas.

[@jcondon1]

Merry Christmas

[@daleyurk4369]

Nice job on that frame. Looks great. Good video!

[@williamlockhart5031]

Nice restoration!

[@mjg263]

Wow, what a transformation! Thoroughly enjoyed that journey. The wheels are from a Toro SR4 Super Recycler lawn mower but they work perfectly on there, good quality too. Only thing I might do after doing all of that excellent work is remove and clean the overspray on the recoil housing. Awesome work, thanks and happy holidays to you and your family James!

[@Farm_fab]

I have a Ryobi miter saw stand that I couldn't find wheels for. One broke, so it was scrapped. I finally found a pair from a mower that had ball bearings. They were better quality than the cheapo ones from Ryobi.

[@jcondon1]

Was wondering about those wheels. The original were pneumatic. I tried a set of 10” pneumatic at one point and the generator was no longer level so left the mower wheels on.

[@Farm_fab]

@@jcondon1 yesterday I got a set of wheels from a pr1mo personal mobility unit, and they had 4" flat proof tires on it. I'm planning to use them on a wagon so I don't deal with flats. A bit heavier than stock pneumatic tires, though.

[@stevecarter529]

As usual interesting and informative. Thanks very much and happy Christmas and new year.

[@iranmihanemast7032]

Another great repair and tutorials.

[@BrucesShop]

As soon as I saw those homemade connections I thought HA. I was wrong. Is that a new High voltage meter for you? 3648 YEAH. Nice work It looks like new.

[@jcondon1]

The insulation tester is fairly new. A generous subscriber who owns a local small engine shop donated his extra tester to the channel. Thanks Rob! And thanks Bruce!