More Generator Questions...Specific

[PolishPete]

I recently purchased a generator from my neighbor...great deal $350 for a Coleman Powermate 5000 watt.  Its so-so loud.  Going to be building a "dog house" for it this weekend to see what I can do to soften the sound for the pit neighbors.  I understand I need to make it block sound but still give it some room to breath and get cool air...so we'll see what I come up with.  Anyway, my questions:

I have 4 outlets, 2 120 volt and 2 240 volt.  Does it matter what I plug into them?  Can fans and tire warmers go in whichever, or do I need to be careful so I don't fry the items?

Any need to worry about overheating?  Or can it run all day?

What type of gas do you use?  87? 89? 93?  Race fuel for extra kick?  (J/K on the last one).
Manual says at least 85...I'm gonna guess 87 is ok, but just checking.

Manual says something about an external ground plug for extra protection against getting shocked...is this something you guys use?

Any general knowledge I should know about storing/transporting/using the generator?

As always...thanks for all your help guys.

Blackhawk and Grattan were fun this past weekend.  Picking up some warmers to match the generator...first use at Putnam on May 6th...well see how it goes!!


This is the girl: http://www.colemanpowermate.com/generators/pm0525202_02.shtml

[dietDrThunder]

The 120VAC plugs are the same as your house. The 240VAC you'll notice has (4) prongs...(2) 120VAC, (1) common, and (1) ground. Look on line (Ebay, Camper World) and you can buy various adapters to use the 240 plug with different setups. The most robust 120VAC solution is to put an adapter on the 240VAC plug that converts to a 30A 3 prong RV plug. Then run 30A line back to your pit, and adapt that to a conventional plug, or plug it into a panel that has (2) 120VAC circuits if you want to get all fancy.

[PolishPete]

Thanks.

One more questions.  What gauge extension cord should I get.  I see you guys recommend 100' so you can get the generator away from you.  14 gauge or 12 gauge?  Thanks.

[RCR_531]

I would say 12. I went with 10 but it was costly. 100 feet might be a little long. I have a generator like yours and if I put it in front of my truck its not to bad. At most track I will buy the power from them. Most of the time it is 20.00 for the weekend. I would spend more then that for gas at current prices

[Mongo]

Keep your genset right next to you, if it's too loud for you then it's too loud to be putting next to other people 100' away from you.  Same for putting it on the other side of your truck/car/trailer - the people over there don't want to hear it either...

On the power end, usually they only have one 240 outlet and the others are 110 - one duplex (normal house style outlet pair) and then a twist lock higher amp outlet either 20 or 30 amp.  Rule of thumb is like Dave said, look for 3 or 4 prongs on the twist lock.  You can get more power out of the 240 of course but you have to know a little about wiring to make an adapter for it, it's usually easier to just use the 20/30 amp twist lock plug from an rv store.

[Eric Kelcher]

Be sure to match the power across the the two outlets for 110 as the genertator is essentialy two halves one powers one side the other powers the other so in order to get 5000 watts it is both outlets not one outlet make sense? If you try to pull more than around 2200 watts from one outlet then you will burn the genrator up as one side is energized and other is not.

Yes did it to one now we run from the 220 outlet with a custom 10g cord and box with two duplex outlets in it so we can equalize the power.

[Team_Serpent]

Keep your genset right next to you, if it's too loud for you then it's too loud to be putting next to other people 100' away from you.  Same for putting it on the other side of your truck/car/trailer - the people over there don't want to hear it either...

Agreed!

The problem is most paddock layouts don't leave you the option of putting the generator 100 ft away from you and everyone else.

I guess that's why everyone prefers the quite gens.

One piece of advice for you on the Coleman (from personal experience), safety wire the oil fill cap.

[Speedballer347]

Its so-so loud. 

We converted a car muffler to ours, got it at AutoZone for a few bucks.  We also put a diffusser at the exit, to break up the exhaust gasses.  It was one of the loudest ones at the track, now it just hums, one of the quietest for sure.
We also designed a Quick-Release 5 gallon gas tank.  Tank is from Bass-Pro.  Tank removes for transport and fueling with a couple of quick-pins.
We cut the cart in half, removed 8", then welded it back together....makes it much narrower for transport.

Try doing a muffler, then blocking off most of the exit, suppressing it.  It works.

[PolishPete]

Thanks for the ideas guys.  I'll be modding it this weekend with some sort of exhaust.  I will keep you updated!!

[xb9racer]

that's one goofy looking generator. But, hell, if it works............

[mx558]

I recently purchased a generator from my neighbor...great deal $350 for a Coleman Powermate 5000 watt.  Its so-so loud.  Going to be building a "dog house" for it this weekend to see what I can do to soften the sound for the pit neighbors.  I understand I need to make it block sound but still give it some room to breath and get cool air...so we'll see what I come up with.  Anyway, my questions:

I have 4 outlets, 2 120 volt and 2 240 volt.  Does it matter what I plug into them? 
I bet the old lady's butt hurts ! lol

This is the girl: http://www.colemanpowermate.com/generators/pm0525202_02.shtml

[snakemanracing95]

Just go out and buy yourself a Quiet EU series generator from HONDA. Your neighbors will love you for it!! Reliability,Quiet, and Fuel Efficient!!