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Acquired a Military surplus load bank

jamawieb

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Now that's a sweet little unit, seem quieter than the 802's. What's the price difference on theses guys?

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk
They are quieter and more fuel efficient than the 802a's but only a limited number have hit the market so far. I've only seen 2 come up for sale in the last 2 years and prices reached $5,000+. It's just like when the 802a's starting hitting the market, when they were new, prices were crazy high. We'll just have to wait till the government unload's a lot more before prices go down.
 

Daybreak

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Howdy,

The new AMMPS have built in parallel ability. It also make it possible to load bank more than 1 to many units using parallel loading. Or, in real life, 2 x 5kw units working as a 10kw unit. Or 3 x 5kw units working as a 15kw unit.:cool:
 

Daybreak

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Howdy,

Every generator that is started for non use, gets put on the load bank. Any generator will be loaded to 80% and run at least 2 hours.

This might be monthly, or every other month, or 2 months.

A NOCO G7200 with a slave port connector is moved around the units to maintain the batteries.
 

155mm

Chief and Indian
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I have the same 33kw load bank, most of its life is spend unused, but when you are working on a genny, its so easy to hook up/load and then the gremlins are easier to find.
Correction, mine isnt a Essex, its a UMC 33kw, like same but different
 

Daybreak

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Howdy,
I think it still was around the same contract time. Kinda like a Libby, or Fermont.

Eitherway, it really makes testing and working a generator easier. :)
 

Daybreak

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Howdy,

Further back in the thread is a hard loading of a MEP-803A. Also is a posting of the way the gauges were looking at each of the loads.

MEP-803A 3kw to 16kw loads.

I was pushing 67.2 amps per leg at the end.
 

dav5

Active member
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Mono, Ontario
I was messing around with my 803a and decided to see what it could do. I loaded it up similar to Daybreaks hard load. I was surprised that the 3 amp fuse in the fuse mod blew before the overload protection came on. It handled the load [about 137%] unbelievably well until the fuse went. Does anyone have an explanation. Thanks Ted
 

Daybreak

2 Star Admiral
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I was messing around with my 803a and decided to see what it could do. I loaded it up similar to Daybreaks hard load. I was surprised that the 3 amp fuse in the fuse mod blew before the overload protection came on. It handled the load [about 137%] unbelievably well until the fuse went. Does anyone have an explanation. Thanks Ted
Howdy,
Which fuse was used? (which specific model) Could that fuse already been hurt some in a previous life?
 

Daybreak

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Howdy,
Loaded MEP-803A with a surplus load bank. I warm the 803 up. I then start stepping through loads.
3kw, then 6kw, then 9 kw, then 12kw, then 12kw+3kw, then I start adding the variable load a little more than half way. Probably adding another 1.75kw to get it up to 133%. I then back off and throw 12kw and add 9kw, starts bogging down some, I try a few more huge load combinations. You can see the control panel faces and see the percent rated current throughout the video. I then bring it back to around 135% and its pulling 67.2 amps per line (120/240 single phase)

I then stopped the video and starting backing down cooling things off.

MEP-803A
stepped load bank
Load Bank switch settings available. any combination, and the variable knob (0-3kw)

Some minimal shock loading was done.

After running a while with a load, I usually keep upping the load. Due to the switches on the load bank, I would turn on the 9kw switch load, and then add more to the top of that.

Over 300 hours on the unit. John Deere Plus-50 II 15w-40 oil. Oil pressure hovered around 40 psi.
 
Last edited:

Daybreak

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Howdy,
Here is my MEP-803A generator load bank log run.
The hardest, and hottest portion was of course the 133% loading. The oil thins out and got down to 30 psi
***********************************************
TESTTIMELOAD %OIL PRESSWATER TEMPAMB TEMPEXHAUST TEMPENG HOURSAMPS LEG
121526%5713564225333.514.15
223550%4517064311333.727
325580%411706439533441
430580%3917564490334.241
5325100%3817864530334.552
6340100%3517864640334.852
7430100%3517864640335.652
8430100%3517864640335.652
9445133%3320064960335.867.4
1050080%3020064555336.141
1150580%3319764537336.141
1252575%3918764515336.6
1360050%4018064482336.9
14615 0%4017564 0
 

Demoh

Member
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Location
St Pete, FL
Howdy,
Here is my MEP-803A generator load bank log run.
The hardest, and hottest portion was of course the 133% loading. The oil thins out and got down to 30 psi
***********************************************
TESTTIMELOAD %OIL PRESSWATER TEMPAMB TEMPEXHAUST TEMPENG HOURSAMPS LEG
121526%5713564225333.514.15
223550%4517064311333.727
325580%411706439533441
430580%3917564490334.241
5325100%3817864530334.552
6340100%3517864640334.852
7430100%3517864640335.652
8430100%3517864640335.652
9445133%3320064960335.867.4
1050080%3020064555336.141
1150580%3319764537336.141
1252575%3918764515336.6
1360050%4018064482336.9
14615 0%4017564 0

Data like this makes me happy :)
 

Demoh

Member
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Location
St Pete, FL
Got to love these mules! Gave mine a 4 hour workout last week. What's the hardest you've worked an 802 ?
IIRC I think I did a sustained run at 6kw but dont recall how long. Ive momentarily loaded to higher to see how far I could push before engine couldnt keep up and HZ drops but I cant remember what the actual number was. Somewhere close to 7kw I think.


I've been trying to snag a real load bank for a number of years. The struggle is real {sigh}
Dont hate me but I had a local in-person auction a few years ago (before I got into generators and other power systems, basically I had NO use for a load bank) that I got a 10kw Swift-E at. It was the middle of July and the auctioneer said it was a heater. Opening bid $50. I waited and he went down to $10 as there were no bites. I held 5 fingers up, said no go so I bid $10 and won. After buyers fees and taxes (boy they were killer) I walked out with that thing for $15.
 

Daybreak

2 Star Admiral
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Howdy,

I have listed to what I have pushed each style of MEP too. No, I am not abusing them. The government specs them to be load tested to a overage for a certain amout of time.
 
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