ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area Old Coleman Powermate Generator question

I have acquired an older Coleman Powermate PM0545202.01 5Kw generator.

It has 120/240 volt receptacles: 2 NEMA 5-15R, and 1 6-15R, but I can not seem to find a schematic for it. I am quite surprised that the 240V receptacle is 15A...

My question is, can I get 240V with a neutral out of it, or are the windings completely separate?

Thanks in advance.

Grov

I had one of those. Mine did not have a neutral, the 240 was straight 240.

that's what I was afraid of.... Do you happen to have a schematic of the windings?

I don't have a schematic.

I think if you have 120 and 240 it must have a shared neutral unless there are 2 completely separate windings and a meter should show you that (ohm scale). My bet is you have 120-0-120 just like your house. Have you tried measuring between the hots of the two 5-15s? Is that is 240? Is there continuity between those neutrals? (more evidence that it is likely center tapped).
The open question is if the neutral is bonded.

Thanks Greg!

I'll check later today, but we're thinking along the same lines. Gotta wait 'till the temp gets up to at least 20°!

I used to repair those generators. No, I do not have any schematics. However Century Powermate built most of the store branded equipment. Therefore Snap-on, Sears, Montgomery-Wards, Coleman, Schauer, any of the automotive part store chains branded generators, welders, battery chargers, etc are all built by Century Powermate. The only differences are typically sheet metal and paint.

If you can find a schematic for a similar sized private label brand generator, it will probably be the same schematic.

Larry C