MEP-802A Wiring and setting help

[ShooterRigOutfitter]

Completely new to the military generator world. I purchased a low hour 802a that i plan to have a permanent cord on that will plug into a 30amp welder plug at my house if power does go out. I had electrician install a cutout box to the welder plug so I'm aware of that aspect. It will not back feed the system just so we are clear. I'm a diesel tech by trade so I was excited to find one with no mechanical issues but when I look at the control panel for the power outlet controls I am confused. Does anybody have a diagram of how they wired their generator to the house connection and as to the setting descriptions on the control panel? I know its been answered before but I cant seem to find a good thread. Thanks!

 

[Scoobyshep]

Open the control panel and make sure it's switched to 120\240

Line 1 usually black to L1
Line 2 usually red to L3
Neutral white to L0
Ground green\bare to chassis

Once running you need to move the circuit interruptor switch to close

The meter select knob is incidental. It won't impact operation, but to get a. Usea le reading make sure it's in a single phase position

 

[Scoobyshep]

Using your welding plug sounds like a Widowmaker setup.

 

[ShooterRigOutfitter]

Thank you! What do you mean by widowmaker?

 

[WWRD99]

Ok hooking up depends if you're doing 220 or 110. I assume 220. If you open the front of the gauge box you'll see a big switch. You want to set it to the 120/240. Then outside is set to l3 l1. There is a bus bar that may need removed too. It's hooked to the neutral l3 inside. You can see it hanging in my pic. You're electrician hooking it up will know if that needs to be there or not. Depends on how the house is wired. One other fun thing to dive into is the military books called TM. They are the books that tell you everything you need to know about it. They are in the first posts in the genset section. Part numbers and all are there. I downloaded mine into windows which made it searchable. Oh don't ever switch the big voltage output while it's running. It doesn't like that. There's a few guys on here that know every wire in that box. Welcome to the genset life!!

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[WWRD99]

Thank you! What do you mean by widowmaker?

Those are 2 male ends that ones hot with the genset on. If you mess with it you can get cooked. See it a bunch in the camping overlanding world too.

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[Scoobyshep]

Thank you! What do you mean by widowmaker?

You're welcome. As WWRD99 also stated a double male cord. We also call them suicide cords. There is no reason to ever make or use one.

 

[Toolslinger]

If you're thinking of the widowmaker option (and I'm not sure that's it, but let's proceed) keep in mind that when you're in need of the generator, generally it's going to be shitty, dark, and stressful. It will not be a beutiful day, with nothing to do but think it through carefully. You want your setup to be completely idiot proof so you absolutly can not hook it up wrong. You want some kind of interlock so it is impossible to backfeed out to the pole. If you're feeding in through a welder plug, that clearly isn't what you've got going on because the welder plug would be dead with an interlock under normal power situations (therefor, no longer a welder plug).
It doesn't take much time or investment to do it right. If the electrician is suggesting backfeeding, you might want to look for a different electrician.

 

[Ray70]

Perhaps the OP can post a picture of his hook-up so we know exactly what the setup is regarding the welder plug and cut-out box etc. ?