MEP804A Run-Start Issues

[SlateRidgeFarm]

Hello everyone, Daniel here brand new to this group. While, New - very appreciative because behind the scenes I’ve been reading many individuals posts on how to get my MEP804A generator functioning properly. To keep this inquiry short and sweet I wanted to get anyone’s opinion on the master switch. It seems like others; I can only keep the unit on if I hold the switch in the run position. Now, by a simplistic diagnosis. This would illustrate to be the problem? What I am very perplexed about is the commentary and lack of factual evidence that the original or proper switch manufacturer is Electroswitch or Kraus & Naimer. Any and all help/suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[kloppk]

If blue plastic it's Kraus. Prone to failure.
If round and metal it's ElectroSwitch. Just about bulletproof.

 

[Mullaney]

Hello everyone, Daniel here brand new to this group. While, New - very appreciative because behind the scenes I’ve been reading many individuals posts on how to get my MEP804A generator functioning properly. To keep this inquiry short and sweet I wanted to get anyone’s opinion on the master switch. It seems like others; I can only keep the unit on if I hold the switch in the run position. Now, by a simplistic diagnosis. This would illustrate to be the problem? What I am very perplexed about is the commentary and lack of factual evidence that the original or proper switch manufacturer is Electroswitch or Kraus & Naimer. Any and all help/suggestions would be appreciated.

.
Welcome to the Outfit!
Happy to have you here.

 

[SlateRidgeFarm]

I think one of my primary concerns and insecurity is that it looks like the blue one was put in the fact. Knowing how the government operates and the abnormal splicing of wiring, it intimidates me to switch back to the metal one.

 

[Guyfang]

You need to understand, that unless a switch fails, it will not be replaced. The first two versions of the S1, (Mark 1 and Mark 2, the blue plastic type) do work. And as long as they do, there was no reason to order 15-20 thousand switches to replace every one in the military.

The changing out of an S1 switch is not rocket science. Takes about 15-20 min. on a bad day.

You wrote: I can only keep the unit on if I hold the switch in the run position. Please define what that means. Do you mean that the set stops running? Do you mean the set stops producing electricity?

There are about 20 different things that might be wrong, and the S1 is only one of them. Do not assume, test. Then you know. Have you download the TM's? Can you read a schematic? Do you have tools, and a DMM, (Multi-meter) is one tool you must have to troubleshoot this problem. Have you ever seen this gen set run right?

Before you run out and buy a new switch, you need to prove the one you have is broken.

 

[SlateRidgeFarm]

Guyfan

You need to understand, that unless a switch fails, it will not be replaced. The first two versions of the S1, (Mark 1 and Mark 2, the blue plastic type) do work. And as long as they do, there was no reason to order 15-20 thousand switches to replace every one in the military.

The changing out of an S1 switch is not rocket science. Takes about 15-20 min. on a bad day.

You wrote: I can only keep the unit on if I hold the switch in the run position. Please define what that means. Do you mean that the set stops running? Do you mean the set stops producing electricity?

There are about 20 different things that might be wrong, and the S1 is only one of them. Do not assume, test. Then you know. Have you download the TM's? Can you read a schematic? Do you have tools, and a DMM, (Multi-meter) is one tool you must have to troubleshoot this problem. Have you ever seen this gen set run right?

Before you run out and buy a new switch, you need to prove the one you have is broken.

Guyfang Sir thank you. To keep the generator running I need to keep my hand on the selector knob indicating run start. The moment I disengage from holding that switch, the generator completely shuts down. I do have some manuals that are downloaded from another source and have used that manual along with schematics and comprehend them Fairly well. I do own a multimeter and other tools to possibly troubleshoot the Genset.
And finally, the generator only ran once and produced electricity once without issue. And that was only one time and since then have been played with this issue.

I think what I have become complacent about is other threads that indicate that it is the switch that is malfunctioning. Nevertheless, in a perfect world – if I was handed a brand new switch, I would want to know which one should I put in?

 

[Guyfang]

The Mark 3 switch, hands down. Then have you read the troubleshooting listed in the -24 TM for this problem?

 

[SlateRidgeFarm]

Perhaps

The Mark 3 switch, hands down. Then have you read the troubleshooting listed in the -24 TM for this problem?

could you forward me or advise me of a link to the TM you are referring to so that I can research #24 and we are on the same page please .

 

[kloppk]

TMs ---> Generator TMs

 

[Guyfang]

Kurt beat me to it.

 

[M51clueless]

Daniel, I have 2 MEP804A’s I just bought off iron planet. Advertised as working, both with about 3 hrs on them. one of them has the same symptom you describe, would start but would not continue to run if I release the switch to the run position. In my fiddling with it I discovered that if I carefully released the switch (holding some pressure on it ) the generator would continue to run. After letting it run for an hour or so I found the switch has come back to life and now is functioning properly. Don’t know if yours will do the same but can’t hurt to try. Think most of my troubles are for this thing sitting for 15 years

 

[SlateRidgeFarm]

Thank yo

TMs ---> Generator TMs

thank you