400 Stove generator availibility

[Willy]

Does anybody have a source for the little brown 400 stoves generator? I'm wondering if it would be more cost effective to buy another 400 for parts. I see 400s come up locally on occasion in the $40 range.
Thanks all
Willy

[MartyJ]

I picked up a 400 and was amazed at the heat output. I like the looks and design of the stove other then the lack of the wind shield. I then found out that the generator was no longer available so when the chance arrived, I picked up a second for the same reason. Right now, they both work fine but it nice knowing I have spares in one for the other.

[25_502s]

Is this the one with the built in tip cleaner?

[johneliot]

If you can find those generators they are usually $65 and up. A $40 stove is a good deal if the generator works, but you'll still have a 400 with no generator. You can get a wind screen for the 400. Sigg made a set as did Peak1.

DSCF1777.jpg

DSCF1778.jpg

[kellyblues]

$65 and up! OUCH! Wish I would have bought a couple cases of those back when. Gezzzz

[johneliot]

Same with the 222/222a lantern generators.

[kellyblues]

Same with the 222/222a lantern generators.

Yeah those have been that way for a long time. I bought a few boxes of those from Ernie eons ago. Sold all but a couple that I keep in my stash.

[MartyJ]

If you can find those generators they are usually $65 and up. A $40 stove is a good deal if the generator works, but you'll still have a 400 with no generator. You can get a wind screen for the 400. Sigg made a set as did Peak1.DSCF1777.jpgDSCF1778.jpg

Thanks John. I will keep an eye out for a Sigg or Peak 1, learned something new again today.

[johneliot]

Marty, what I’ve found is the top windscreen fits stoves that have the 4 section pot support like the 400. The bottom one will fit those, but also the five section style like the 550b.

[Stovie]

How much of a demand is there for replacement generators? I'd think that if clean coleman fuel is used they'd last a long time. No practical cleaning or disassembly possible on this type of generator?

[Chuckfromtexas]

Bought mine new in 1984 and a replacement generator. For twenty plus years it was used hard and frequent as l did a lot of backpacking back then. Still fire the old girl up on occasion and still got the generator in the package it came in.

[Tgarner01]

Pound for pound Colemans best single in my opinion.

[kellyblues]

Bought mine new in 1984 and a replacement generator. For twenty plus years it was used hard and frequent as l did a lot of backpacking back then. Still fire the old girl up on occasion and still got the generator in the package it came in.

That's awesome! You gotta take some pictures and show it off in a new thread. Love hearing about long time items like that.

[JimL]

I recently picked up a NIB 400A from 8/86. It's rated at 8500 BTU, which is 4000 more BTU than the 502! I so want to fire it up, but don't think that's going to happen, at least not anytime soon.

If getting a gen for a 400, make certain you get the right one. I believe there were a few models of 400, like the 400, 400A, and 400B.

[Chuckfromtexas]

When I see my buddy Mattjustmatt I’ll get him to show me how to post pictures. Don’t try to explain how ,it just looks like this to me |<^}>*+^#}~<€*#}-::()$. My generator still has the Kmart $4.95 price tag on it. I agree with Toby “pound for pound the best single Coleman made”

[Northman49]

Exactly what is the problem with the generator?

[Tgarner01]

Exactly what is the problem with the generator?

Obsolete, and unserviceable... To date anyhow

[Majicwrench]

I have a bunch of these generators, gonna list em in classifieds....

[Newfie]

Wouldn't it be easier to find a leprechaun riding a unicorn?

[MartyJ]

Pound for pound Colemans best single in my opinion.

I'm a big fan too. The first time I lit one up, I shut it right down as I was afraid there was something wrong due to the size of the flames. Surprisingly, although it can reach warp speed in no time, it has a pretty good simmer adjustment. I would imagine with the 8500 btu output, it would suck the tank dry quick without a good flame adjuster. Seeing how I have way more camp stoves (50?,100?, whose really counting?) than time out camping and tend to defer to the older models, I haven't used this one much. It may be good to jump start the morning coffee though.

[Northman49]

Exactly what is the problem with the generator?

Obsolete, and unserviceable... To date anyhow

I mean what is the problem with his generator...leaking, no fuel etc....

[Willy]

Ed, There is no problem with the stove at the moment. What I would like to do is bring it on some of my kayak trips, and that means include a few spare parts.
Willy

[Jim_M]

I have figured out how to rebuild the generators with the cleaning lever. If the packing no longer seals or if the lever is broken, I use a new packing and make a new lever. I've rebuilt three so far and they work great.

Jim

[StanDahl]

I've had a couple of these generators that just refuse to seat properly and so they leak fuel. There doesn't seem to be any other problem with the generator besides being well-used.

[Chuckfromtexas]

If we were backpacking on a long trip or a bigger group of six or eight like a Philmont trek we carried three stoves,two to cook and clean and one backup. Then Coleman came out with the Apex ll. Great little stoves. Fit right in a cook pot and the tank was a fuel bottle. For me a great backup stove. Just could never leave my little 400 behind,even now when I’m just car camping.

[johneliot]

Silly.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Coleman-50 ... 1438.l2649

[JimL]

Silly.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Coleman-50 ... 1438.l2649

That blows me away. Not that I'm selling, but I wouldn't have even thought to try to get that much for my unfired 400A.

[zoomkat]

"I've had a couple of these generators that just refuse to seat properly and so they leak fuel. There doesn't seem to be any other problem with the generator besides being well-used."

If the generator has a flair fit on a valve body, then I would try putting a little pipe sealant on the inside of the flair before securing it down. The sealant might plug the small leak path. Something to try before giving up on a scarce generator.

[StanDahl]

Thanks Zoomkat, I'll keep that in mind next time I am desperate enough to have to make one of those do the job.

[Gunhippie]

"I've had a couple of these generators that just refuse to seat properly and so they leak fuel. There doesn't seem to be any other problem with the generator besides being well-used."

If the generator has a flair fit on a valve body, then I would try putting a little pipe sealant on the inside of the flair before securing it down. The sealant might plug the small leak path. Something to try before giving up on a scarce generator.

I've had problems with new gens not wanting to seal at the flare. Heating the flare to red-hot and letting it cool will anneal (soften) the brass and allow it to form to fit the seat on the valve. It's worked every time for me.

[StanDahl]

Ahhh, that sounds even better!