MEP805B fuel consumption

[mechmagcn]

Hi all! New guy here and definitely new to military equipment. A while back I acquired a MEP805B in a deal on a truck I was interested in from a rural fire dept. They got this generator 10-12 years ago when the government was just about giving surplus equipment to struggling rural fire departments. It had been mothballed and they never went beyond pouring a concrete pad to set it on because they didn't think they could use it because of the three phase power. I bought an old Mack fuel tanker and the chief told me I had to take the generator too. A few filters, oil, antifreeze and batteries I had a running unit making power. At the time I had no need for a 30Kw generator, so it has set for two years, started once a month or so.
Forward to my current situation. I live in the boonies on a riverbank with boat access only most of the year. Power outages can be frequent and if there's a major storm, lengthy. I currently use an older Onan standby for my home, but am in the process of buying the house next door to move my elderly mom into. I know the MEP is three phase, but figure if I balance the loads between the two houses it would work. I doubt I would ever get close to the 30Kw, maybe half of that. I've read that the full load fuel consumption is around 4 gallons per hour, any estimates on half load?
I have to make a decision soon, it's dry enough now to make the three mile trip through the river bottoms and build a platform to raise it above our yearly flood level.
Thanks for any info, Jeff.

 

[Mullaney]

Hi all! New guy here and definitely new to military equipment. A while back I acquired a MEP805B in a deal on a truck I was interested in from a rural fire dept. They got this generator 10-12 years ago when the government was just about giving surplus equipment to struggling rural fire departments. It had been mothballed and they never went beyond pouring a concrete pad to set it on because they didn't think they could use it because of the three phase power. I bought an old Mack fuel tanker and the chief told me I had to take the generator too. A few filters, oil, antifreeze and batteries I had a running unit making power. At the time I had no need for a 30Kw generator, so it has set for two years, started once a month or so.
Forward to my current situation. I live in the boonies on a riverbank with boat access only most of the year. Power outages can be frequent and if there's a major storm, lengthy. I currently use an older Onan standby for my home, but am in the process of buying the house next door to move my elderly mom into. I know the MEP is three phase, but figure if I balance the loads between the two houses it would work. I doubt I would ever get close to the 30Kw, maybe half of that. I've read that the full load fuel consumption is around 4 gallons per hour, any estimates on half load?
I have to make a decision soon, it's dry enough now to make the three mile trip through the river bottoms and build a platform to raise it above our yearly flood level.
Thanks for any info, Jeff.

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Welcome to the Outfit!

I am guessing you may have already downloaded the TM's (Technical Manuals) as part of your reading? If not, having those might be really useful.

All the TM's you need to work on the MEP-805B Generator set.

Here are the TM's you need to work on the MEP-805B generator set. Be advised, there are OTHER uploaded files that pertain to the MEP-805B in the TM forum. So LOOK for them.

steelsoldiers.com

Guessing that fuel consumption for half the load will be about 3/4 of the published hourly rate. Wet Stacking will be a concern at half load too. So, at least once a month it will need to be run at 100% for several hours. And you could load it with a house range or several - while running your normal consumption...

I am guessing that the MEP will be your sole supplier of power?

 

[mechmagcn]

.
Welcome to the Outfit!

I am guessing you may have already downloaded the TM's (Technical Manuals) as part of your reading? If not, having those might be really useful.

All the TM's you need to work on the MEP-805B Generator set.

Here are the TM's you need to work on the MEP-805B generator set. Be advised, there are OTHER uploaded files that pertain to the MEP-805B in the TM forum. So LOOK for them.

steelsoldiers.com

Guessing that fuel consumption for half the load will be about 3/4 of the published hourly rate. Wet Stacking will be a concern at half load too. So, at least once a month it will need to be run at 100% for several hours. And you could load it with a house range or several - while running your normal consumption...

I am guessing that the MEP will be your sole supplier of power?

Thanks for the links to the TMs, I didn't have those yet. We have utility power, just very rural area that the power co. isn't too rushed to get back online, only 4 camps on a line that crosses water and I'm the only full-time resident. I'm still not 100% invested in this project, just trying to decide whether to use it for standby or get another standby for the second residence.

 

[Mullaney]

Thanks for the links to the TMs, I didn't have those yet. We have utility power, just very rural area that the power co. isn't too rushed to get back online, only 4 camps on a line that crosses water and I'm the only full-time resident. I'm still not 100% invested in this project, just trying to decide whether to use it for standby or get another standby for the second residence.

.
I think (as bad as I hate to admit it) you might be better off with a smaller genset for the second residence.

 

[Guyfang]

This is just my humble opinion. Any gen sets with computers in it, are not on my list of things to have. There are a bunch of gen sets are to be had, that are KISS, Keep It Simple, Stupid. All "B" model gen sets are costly to repair. And if you are one of the people who can't or wont read the TM, you are screwed.

 

[mechmagcn]

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I think (as bad as I hate to admit it) you might be better off with a smaller genset for the second residence.

At times I'm leaning that direction, I have a 10K Generac from the eighties that makes power, just not as stable as I want for standby use. I'd like another propane fueled Onan 7.5JB which is what I currently use myself.
Just out of curiosity, what is a running, power producing MEP805B with 7700 hrs on it worth, roughly?

 

[Mullaney]

At times I'm leaning that direction, I have a 10K Generac from the eighties that makes power, just not as stable as I want for standby use. I'd like another propane fueled Onan 7.5JB which is what I currently use myself.
Just out of curiosity, what is a running, power producing MEP805B with 7700 hrs on it worth, roughly?

.
I don't know for sure. I have seen some that sold by way of auction for a thousand bucks. I looked just quickly on the Web and found some as high as $12,500 retail. I think you can list it for what somebody will pay.

 

[mechmagcn]

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I don't know for sure. I have seen some that sold by way of auction for a thousand bucks. I looked just quickly on the Web and found some as high as $12,500 retail. I think you can list it for what somebody will pay.

Yeah, like anything, it's worth whatever someone else will pay. Guess if I were an unscrupulous seller I'd just haul it to NC and throw a "for sale" sign on it.