Warning

 

Close
Confirm Action

Are you sure you wish to do this?

Cancel Confirm
AR15.COM
12/4/2011 8:49:37 PM EDT
What's the opinion on Coleman generators?
12/4/2011 10:09:45 PM EDT
[#1]
Varies all over the place.

The Coleman Company licenses its name out to various manufacturers, several of which have sold "Coleman" brand generators.

Some of the recent high-end models use a name-brand engine (Yamaha or Robin/Subaru) mated to a Chinese-made alternator head.

There is also an economy line sold under the "Powermate Proforce" brand - essentially a Chinese copy of the Yamaha EF series. (Apparently, Powermate lost their Coleman license, since the current models no longer make any reference to the "Coleman" brand).
12/5/2011 6:53:42 AM EDT
[#2]
So if I'm thinking about picking up one used, what shoul I check for?
12/5/2011 5:44:07 PM EDT
[#3]
I'm not treying to be a smarty pants.
However I would steer clear of any bargain brand  generator.
You really get what you pay for in gens, And if there is an emergency and I need
a gen to give me power, because the grid is down, I will be glad I spent the extra money and my gen works flawless.
However if you buy the bargain brand, and the chips are down and it don't work or won't crank, or goes out after a few days of using it
you will be back to square one and wishing you had spent the money.
Take it from me, get a good one right off the bat, you won't be sorry.
12/5/2011 7:19:46 PM EDT
[#4]
I have one of the older Coleman 1850s.  I've had it for years now.  I've used it for emergencies and camping.  The damn thing has been a rock, solid built and surprisingly quiet for what it is.  Its no where near the lawn mower types in noise just a little more noise than a Honda.  That's not bad for $200 less than a Honda 1,000 and 850 more watts.

Tj
12/5/2011 7:31:39 PM EDT
[#5]
I had a 6500 watt Coleman I bought at Walmary for $485.  It did its job, but had a Tecumseh motor that was LOUD and not very fuel efficient.
12/5/2011 7:42:29 PM EDT
[#6]



Quoted:


I have one of the older Coleman 1850s.  I've had it for years now.  I've used it for emergencies and camping.  The damn thing has been a rock, solid built and surprisingly quiet for what it is.  Its no where near the lawn mower types in noise just a little more noise than a Honda.  That's not bad for $200 less than a Honda 1,000 and 850 more watts.



Tj


I have one of those as well.. been perfect for me also. It has run during ham radio events, during power outages.. pretty much perfect all the time.  Only changed out spark plugs and oil.. and some 9 years later still good as new.



 
12/5/2011 8:19:44 PM EDT
[#7]
I've got an older 1750.  Can't find my manual.  Any one have a manual for this?  I'd be happy to pay for copy and shipping.  Every time I try to do a web search on this I get no where.
12/5/2011 8:37:11 PM EDT
[#8]
I have 3250 I bought new in 2006. I had it at the shop a few years ago and I had to take the carb apart one time. Other than that it's been a good gen. Mine works best if I let it warm up once a month. I bought it to use with my travel trailer. I was going to sell it at some point but it saved me on two occasions when I lost power during bad storms. I don't think I ever want to be with out a generator.
12/6/2011 2:38:05 AM EDT
[#9]
I have 2 of the little 1850s.....had one for about 5 years and one for about 2.5......both work well......it's the little one that looks like a cooler.

12/6/2011 7:07:59 AM EDT
[#10]
I have a Powermate BlackMax 8450 I paid $1000 for new at Sam's Club about 6 years ago. It has a Honda GX390 engine and has given me no problems so far...knock on wood. Very quiet Generator