MEP-804A and others Voltage Regulator Problems, how come?

[FLCarguy]

Hi all,
After working out bugs on my new genset I found that I too had the undervoltage, Caused by the blown fuse next to the regulator, replaced the fuse and found that the freq is good and adjustable but the voltage is at a steady 200 with no adjustment. (And now stops with over voltage) The rheostat for the voltage works so I suspect my regulator is bad as well. I am going to pull it tomorrow and test the components. My question is, why do these seem to be a common failure? Is it user error? Or someone testing the genset not knowing what they are doing? Maybe someone hitting a switch at the wrong time? My experience with most military equipment is it is overbuilt and over spec'd material wise so it surprises me a little that these seem to fail so often. I design and test things for a living so I do know no matter how idiot proof you try to make it, there is always a bigger idiot! Once I fix it I hope to keep it fixed!

 

[FLCarguy]

Hi all,
After working out bugs on my new genset I found that I too had the undervoltage, Caused by the blown fuse next to the regulator, replaced the fuse and found that the freq is good and adjustable but the voltage is at a steady 200 with no adjustment. (And now stops with over voltage) The rheostat for the voltage works so I suspect my regulator is bad as well. I am going to pull it tomorrow and test the components. My question is, why do these seem to be a common failure? Is it user error? Or someone testing the genset not knowing what they are doing? Maybe someone hitting a switch at the wrong time? My experience with most military equipment is it is overbuilt and over spec'd material wise so it surprises me a little that these seem to fail so often. I design and test things for a living so I do know no matter how idiot proof you try to make it, there is always a bigger idiot! Once I fix it I hope to keep it fixed!

Well, it has failed again....... same situation. At least it lasted a few years but not much use.

 

[Guyfang]

Ask Kurt @Klopp for a new A1. He has improved them.

 

[Chainbreaker]

Ask Kurt @Klopp for a new A1. He has improved them.

You forgot the k at the end... @kloppk

 

[Guyfang]

Getting old...........................

 

[cbisson]

Getting old...........................

Old like single malt Scotch.........better every day.

 

[FLCarguy]

I ordered one from kloppk and put it in today, works like a champ but I still have my an overspeed problem which I will start a new thread for.

Thanks!

 

[jmenende]

Check the magnetic pickup under the starter. Voltage should be from 2.3vac to 3vac. The tip is either ground off or full of metal scrapes. Sometimes its just a bad terminal. I use a broom stick to turn over the dead crank while looking at the voltmeter and slowly turning the mag pickup. Review the adjustment procedure in the TM to avoid damaging the part.