MEP-531A Owners------- What do you guys use this Gen Set for in the Civilian World?

I picked up a 2006 MEP-531A yesterday with 27 hours on it and it is in almost new condition.
(The fuel lines need replaced)
Price too good to pass up.

What is this generator used for outside the Military?
I know what its "designed" for and what the military usually did with it.

What are you guys doing with it?
Is it worth keeping?

Plan to use the Tygon fuel line.
I like the idea of being able to see any bubbles since these are evidently notorious for being difficult to get air out of the fuel system.

I keep One unit in the back of my LMTV for any power needs or if i need to charge batteries. As i fix these units i use them around the property to run 1500 watt space heaters while working on equipment outside, or charging batteries, or using heat gun or portaband saw. I have sold many units and they were going to use them for back up power in a power outage specifically one customer has a grandson that needs medical equipment to run, another customer is powering his construction trailer. many uses they just need a small trailer, strong back or a place where they can be mounted and remain

Ok
Thanks for the comments
Agree about the weight of the unit.
Just set the generator in the back of my cargo trailer and was quickly remined of my age.

I did read a few old threads about the tricks, like using a zip tie to tie down the fuel line in a way to make any bubbles go up, to be easier to bleed out.

I'll find out if it even runs and makes power later this week.
The heat/humidity lately has been oppressive.

Tinstar said:

Ok
Thanks for the comments
Agree about the weight of the unit.
Just set the generator in the back of my cargo trailer and was quickly remined of my age.

I did read a few old threads about the tricks, like using a zip tie to tie down the fuel line in a way to make any bubbles go up, to be easier to bleed out.

I'll find out if it even runs and makes power later this week.
The heat/humidity lately has been oppressive.

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Congratulations on the buy. It looks to be in nice shape.

Judging by the residue in the fuel filter, you might want to clean the fuel tank, and then fill the new filter with a dose of SeaFoam.

Yes, priming is key with this engine, the high pressure side especially. In general though, I think it is rock solid.

All the best,

2Pbfeet

This morning I removed and cleaned out fuel tank.
Installed new fuel tank grommets and Tygon fuel line.
Fuel return line is fine and left that alone. Looks like it was recently replaced.

The fuel filter bowl still had some fuel sitting in it and it had caused the bottom portion of the bowl to become hazy and stained looking.
Used SuperClean cleaner and let it soak for a few minutes in the bottom of bowl.
Worked like a champ and can't even tell where the haze mark was.
Fuel filter was in new condition so will leave that in place.

Oil screen is clean and still need to add oil.
Will add oil and fuel tomorrow and see if it fires.
Still debating on what to do with this.

Waiting on parts for the 803A
New Optima battery's and other items are due to arrive today.

Do yourself a favor when you go to prime the unit and slave it from the 803. it will save your arm a lot of pulls. 17mm wrench crack the nut on the pump get fuel, then crack the line on the injector till you get fuel. Also don't forget about the decompression lever if your pulling my hand, it hurts when you do as it rips the cord out of your hand.

Will use the CUCV to slave it.

Agree with the recommended on priming.
Familiar with the decompression lever.

I did read about how sensitive this engine is on oil level.
Too much = Bad Things

If it were me, I would nudge your starter wires just a bit to free up the cooling slots on the generator head, as the other side on this model tends to be fairly occluded.

All the best,

2Pbfeet

Last evening I added engine oil.
Made a huge mess. Overfilled and oil everywhere getting the excess out
Will be getting a pitcher that has all the measurements on it.
That way I can measure exactly, then pour it in.

Added fuel (Seafoam/two-cycle oil added) and bled system.
Was fairly easy I thought.
Using the Tygon fuel line helped a lot, being able to see any bubbles.

Used hand pull to crank over engine a few times and get air out. Worked well for me.

Started first pull after priming and it came to life.
Smoked initially for a few seconds and cleared up and never smoked again.

Loud suckers aren’t they……..

Let generator warm up.
No leaks
Makes power and needles are where they are supposed to be.
When warmed up, connected a 1500w space heater and ran it for 30 minutes.
75% load on meter.
No smoke and zero issues.

Disconnected power and let it cool down for 5 minutes before shutting it down.

Will wash it to remove all the fuel and oil I spilled on everything.

Still don’t know what to do with it.

@Tinstar congratulations on getting it running.

FWIW: I've switched to using plastic squeeze bottles (ketchup style) to put oil in my Yanmar and Honda engines. I find it easy to measure the oil into the squeeze bottles, easy to get the oil in the dipstick hole, and easy to top off with. I find the "fill to the brim" oil levels a bit more of a challenge to hit, but not go over, and I'm happy to take any help that I can get.

I use a similar generator for portable power for projects not close to outlets, e.g. a work day trimming trees, but yes the generators are loud. I tend to use them on projects where I am going to be wearing hearing protection anyway.

All the best,

2Pbfeet

Great idea on the ketchup/mustard bottles.
The way I did it was not working. Soaked the floor of my cargo trailer before I could get something under it.

I like your idea since you don’t need a funnel and have max control of the filling process.

I’ll set it aside for now.
It’s ready when needed
Washed off the oil and fuel.

Parts arrived for my 803A so back on that project

right before the 90 degree fitting going down to the fuel pump use a zip tie and hook the line to the hard fuel line. I know you mentioned the zip tie , but i see it is not there

FarmingSmallKubota said:

right before the 90 degree fitting going down to the fuel pump use a zip tie and hook the line to the hard fuel line. I know you mentioned the zip tie , but i see it is not there

Click to expand...

Great point. I think that the 1-cylinder vibration on these is something to behold.

All the best,

2Pbfeet