Coleman Powermate Ultra 2500 Generator PM0422505.02

Pros: Light weight, compact design
Cons: Small fuel tank, poor power output

I recently purchased a Coleman Powermate Ultra 2500 to use as ocassional power on family outings, camping etc.
The features I like best about the unit are;
-It's compact design
-It's light weight
-easy to move with built-in wheels and...

Pros: light weight
Cons: poor quality, small gas tank- 1 hour run time under load, don't last

The motor was leaking oil out of the box. I had to pull the oil change plug and fix it ,that is where the oil leak was, I noticed some other coleman powermates at the store that were doing the same thing. I used it about ten time in a little over a year...

Pros: Buy the Briggs models which I feel would be more reliable.
Cons: The Tecumseh, though long wearing, will eventually or immediately give you headaches.

In the store I saw the 2500 displayed model, which, to my surprise, was different from the two above reviews: the sales literature and the stuff on line, herein, distinctly describes a Tecumseh engine, while what I saw definitely a Briggs engine (5hp) on the exact same 2500 watt frame (with wheels).
I've owned many generators; Tecumseh engines are temperamental, "sporadic firing," but long lasting. My preference is the Briggs, which runs slightly slower, more certain on the firing beat, and is much less "temperamental." I feel Briggs is a better working "lugger" as an engine. (The governor does not react as "wildly" under load variations as does the Tecumseh. I, too, do not like the idea of a one gallon gasoline tank on any generator, except perhaps on a small Generac, which would run for six hours or more on little more than a gallon, but the output would only be about a continuous 750 watts. DON'T BUY ANY GENERATOR IF YOU ARE NOT "WATT-CONSCIOUS"! You WILL either burn it out or expect it to outperform the Hoover Dam!

Pros: Size and Weight
Cons: Durability

Bought for recreational use. Used three times. Worked great on the first two. On the third start the generator portion just tore itself up. Just out of warranty of course and replacement costs as much as the the unit new. Any one interested in a slightly used Briggs and Stratton engine?

Pros: Light and priced right.
Cons: Small tank and loud.

Just purchased this unit for $563.00 Canadian including tax. It ran my A/C and microwave at the same time. I don't like the idea of the small tank either...and yes it is somewhat loud for a recreational unit. But one must keep in mind...I paid a SIXTH of what a Honda unit is.

I plan on using it camping, to changer batteries (solar panels are over $500.00 and don't always do the job...try to charge your 6 volt batteries in a few hours with a solar panel), maybe run the A/C to cool things down for an afternoon nap and/or perhaps run the microwave for a few minutes to cook bacon and/or thaw food.

Pros: Portable. On wheels. Easy starting (when it does start)
Cons: Very loud. Gas tank far too small! No idle, runs at top RPM continuously.

I bought this at Wal-Mart about 14 months ago for $499. I see Canadian Tire now has them for $425. I use it at my wilderness cottage to power a TV,microwave,vaccum etc. (not all at once). It seemed to work great until about a week ago, I used it to power the microwave ,turned it off, then went to start it a few hours later & it wouldn't start. No way I could get it to start. Brought it to Briggs & Straton approved repair center, where I was told it is "finished" or burned out. The cylinder wall is so scored ,it can't create enough compression to operate. As it's still within the 2 year B & S warranty, I called Briggs & Stratton. They are currently investigating & will get back to me. It doesn't look good for a warranty claim though.I did follow the procedures in the manual to the letter.

Pros: Portabilty and power range.
Cons: Small gas tank, recoil manual start, cantankerous Tecumseh engine.

After minimum use, engine would not start. Hauled the generator to a small engine repair shop where they referred to my Tecumseh 5hp VLV120 as a disposable engine. Repaired nonadjustable California emissions carburetor for $90.00. Used generator once more for about 30 minutes and ran gas out of carburetor. Two days later, same problem. Now I understand the term disposable. I do not recommend model PM0422505.01 with the Tecumseh. If I buy again it will be model PM0422505.02 with B&S engine. I am sure this is the reason that Coleman replaced the Tecumseh engine with the B&S on its later model.

Pros: been running hard for 8 years Always starts. Very portable
Cons: Small tank - I hook mine up to a 6-gallon tank. only 2 120 outlets.

I bought this as my first generator before I knew what my home demands would be.

We loose power out here in the sticks quite a bit and it has never let me down.

It usually runs:
furnace - in winter
Computer stuff - 2 laptops, satellite system, router
fridge in the house, freezer in the garage.
Garage door opener.
one or two lights in the house...

And yeah, all at the same time :-)

I have never had a problem with it but let's face it, for a few hundred dollars more you can get a real 5500 watt generator.

It is fun to wheel around the property to work on fence and shed at the other end of the yard and not have to run cords.