J R Hollingsworth MEP-005A conversion

[hrbergeron]

Yeah. It's a mess for sure, I am working with him to get it running safely.

I have a 005 that I'm going to either going to sell whole or part out soon if you or he decide to convert it back to the original system / wiring.

 

[Rekabnivek]

I understand the price was definitely a motivator, but do you really want/need a 30kw? I don't know what size house you have, but most houses only need a 10-15kw and have a low kw resting pull. If you do not have constant load around 10kw(ish) on it you are going to have wet-stacking issues.

We were running a 10KW during an outage and had to shut off the heat for the well pump to run for showers. So I figured 30kw would be more than enough. I would be interested in what you have. PM me and we can talk.

 

[hrbergeron]

We were running a 10KW during an outage and had to shut off the heat for the well pump to run for showers. So I figured 30kw would be more than enough.

The issue is exactly that, having more than enough. Was that generator a 10kw peak or 10kw continuous generator? Was your only issue when the heat and well pump was combined draw? The 005 will suffer from wet stacking probably in your case. If you're deadset on using this generator, once you figure out the max KW draw from your system you should add some continuous loads (i.e. electric heater elements) to prevent wet-stacking.

 

[Scoobyshep]

Wetstacking isn't nearly as big of a problem as people think. Just need to do a heavy load bank now and then to clear it up and you'll be just fine. Bigger issue is the about of fuel you'll use during an outage.

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[Rekabnivek]

The issue is exactly that, having more than enough. Was that generator a 10kw peak or 10kw continuous generator? Was your only issue when the heat and well pump was combined draw? The 005 will suffer from wet stacking probably in your case. If you're deadset on using this generator, once you figure out the max KW draw from your system you should add some continuous loads (i.e. electric heater elements) to prevent wet-stacking.

10kw peak, but the load would nearly kill the gen. That was just heat and well, not including the water heater. Our house is solely electric, no NG or propane for heat, cooking, or hot water. We regularly use 2 vintage ranges ( both electric) both pulling about 38-45 amps each. And that is just for cooking.

 

[Rekabnivek]

Wetstacking isn't nearly as big of a problem as people think. Just need to do a heavy load bank now and then to clear it up and you'll be just fine. Bigger issue is the about of fuel you'll use during an outage.

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If you are talking about the amount of fuel. That isn't a problem. I have access to off road diesel and a discounted price. I also have a 275 gal tank that goes on a trailer for procuring said fuel.

 

[hrbergeron]

10kw peak, but the load would nearly kill the gen. That was just heat and well, not including the water heater. Our house is solely electric, no NG or propane for heat, cooking, or hot water. We regularly use 2 vintage ranges ( both electric) both pulling about 38-45 amps each. And that is just for cooking.

I think a MEP-004 would be much better suited for your setup. More fuel efficient too. Find one with an ASK and it would be even better.

 

[glcaines]

I have an MEP003A 10KW genset. My large house is total electric. I have zero problems with this 10kw generator handling everything. I don't have to select circuits. It handles my geothermal heat pump, well pump, washer, dryer, oven, etc. without difficulty. It consumes about one gallon per hour. We have numerous outages each year and basically no issues.

 

[Scoobyshep]

I have a gas and electric home, the 004 in the shed has done well for me (it is overkill). The most recent hurricane it suffered a small fire, and I brought over one of the 003s and it did well with everything.

That being said we are comparing apples to oranges here as we don't have specific numbers on the load. Will a 005 work? Absolutely. Is it Overkill? Most likely. Hey likely has the same issue I had originally, it was available and cheap(ish). What's his hazard(s)? Werstacking and burning fuel.


Wetstacking I feel has gotten a lot of fear and dread here. Yes it's bad for engines but it takes a lot of misuse to become an issue. Run it hard and run it hot now and then and it's no longer a problem.

Fuel gets expensive but as stated above he says it's not an issue.

 

[Rekabnivek]

I have an MEP003A 10KW genset. My large house is total electric. I have zero problems with this 10kw generator handling everything. I don't have to select circuits. It handles my geothermal heat pump, well pump, washer, dryer, oven, etc. without difficulty. It consumes about one gallon per hour. We have numerous outages each year and basically no issues.

My electrician (my dad with 40 yrs electrical experience) told me I need at minimum 22 KW, but 28 KW would be better. That is why I chose a 30KW.

 

[2Pbfeet]

My electrician (my dad with 40 yrs electrical experience) told me I need at minimum 22 KW, but 28 KW would be better. That is why I chose a 30KW.

I am sure that your dad has lots of experience.

No shade on him intended. Startup loads for heat pumps and well pumps vary considerably in my experience. E.g. a neighbor has a 700' deep well, and another has 4T 40 year old AC with 129A starting current. I think that the devil is in the details, and not every 22kW generator head/voltage regulator has the same tolerance of and for induction startup loads. Some behave much better or much worse than average.

@Rekabnivek If you can rewire this to meet your needs, then it meets your needs. To me, I bet one could buy a lot of fuel for the difference in price that was paid for this generator and a new 30kW liquid cooled diesel...

All the best,

2Pbfeet

 

[LuckeyD]

I saw many parts from civilian gens used in the War Zone from several manufacturers. It is there, seems to work, and is paid for. I did not see anything for current protection to the load. Some items dangling. The regulator has a fuse, the purpose is usually deactivation of exciter voltage, but this gen will melt wiring with over current on a short in the electrical network. Engine and main gen on this one is strong. Agree with Guyfang to clean it up and deal with any not connected wiring. If it functions, it makes good use in industrial uses, but for house power it uses a lot of fuel. It should run about 4 house holds with heat pumps. No heat pumps, it will run about 7 houses. Be careful around dinner time as everyone uses the stove at once. TMs are in this forum for servicing the engine. Keeper clean, set voltages with voltage adjust and meters as with frequency. Meter available everywhere. I'll bet it has brushes in the main gen exciter. Uses static stator for output. I would recommend using house fuses or breakers to cut power if a short occurs between the main gen and load terminals. Cheap and it does work to protect the network, but not the gen. There are piggy back breakers/switches attachable to breakers that you can put in the exciter wire from AVR to main gen exciter input that protects the gen too. Old tech, but cheap and works. Keep it on 3 phase and adjust ~ to neutral up to 125-128VAC. This puts about 235 on ~ to ~ for house power. Only way on this one unless you a nerdy type like me trying to assist from afar and can do a reconnect board and control circuitry.