Auction Question

[mikester]

Ive been looking at the auctions on govplanet for quite a while. I'd like to buy an MEP-803 generator. Last month I posted a thread looking for info on the tier 2 rebuilds. Got some great information from the replies.
I see theres a lot of these generators coming up for bid. Pretty much every auction. Govplanet shows a few videos. Basic stuff. I know this sounds like a stupid question to some but are these generators in decent shape ? As good as they look or can you get stuck with a piece of crap ?
And a really broad question, how do these auctions work ?

 

[NDT]

Exhaust open to the rain=piece of crap.

 

[mikester]

Exhaust open to the rain=piece of crap.

Looks like most of the trailered generators still have the flaps on the exhaust. But thank you for telling me that. I wouldnt have thought of that.

 

[Light in the Dark]

There are a few sites which you can source these on (the other being Gov liqudation). I dont know how their contracts are written, but I only ever see MEPs on Gov planet are on trailers (where the are just generators on GL). If you dont need the trailer... consider the other source. But yeah... always best to know what you are looking for.


Wonder if anyone has ever written up a somewhat comprehensive 'what to look for' post, in regards to auctions.

 

[Blazer8750]

I've bought 2 MEP-002A's from liquidation and an MEP-004A on trailer from planet. Planet does attempt to start them if they have batteries so at least you know it runs. If you don't want to go inspect them in person, I would try to compare multiple generators and study the posted pics to find parts that my be missing. Kinda like that photo hunt game with naked girls they have at the bar, uh....where was I? Oh, yeah, generators. Look for hoses not connnected, wires hanging and obviously its physical appearance. I haven't bought a unit that didn't need some type of work. So bid with that in mind. Hope this helps ya little.

 

[Dwnorton1]

That is one reason I would be apprehensive of gov planet gen sets. I had rather not have one they have started or attempted to start. Most of these units are drained of fluids and doubt seriously that the guy taking pics will be as nearly a thorough as I will be before I ever toggle a switch. Same for all of the equipment sold.

 

[Bmxenbrett]

I see you are in NY. Im also in NY and bought 5 units from fort drum. What location are you going to bid on items from?
I ask this because if its a fort drum auction you need to look at every picture of every generator up for auction. I have seen quite a few listings that they used the same pictres for half of the generators. So then your basicly biding on the hours of the unit.
I have went to pickup units i bought and they couldnt find them and tryed to give me any old crap.
Be carefull, look at all the pics, inspect your unit before you sign anything. Bring pictures that are in the listing any any other info from the listing. All that ontop of the other hoops you have to go through.
Good luck

 

[Daybreak]

Howdy,
OK, rules for the road....

It's a auction. You register and you bid. High money wins. Plus taxes and Fee's

GL = Government Liquidation sells stuff. generators, equipment and so on without wheels (generally right now)

GovPlanet = sells what's known as rolling stock, stuff with wheels. Generator on wheels, but recently, something must have changed for the skid generators out of Albany GA.

GovPlanet makes a good attempt to have the generator run. They will put on a oil filter, and put oil in, attach a 24v slave cable and start it. It will sell for more showing it runs. Will it produce electricity? dunno. Some units are basket cases and are known as a parts machine.

All equipment will have a code rating with it. A generator with a code B, means its pretty much good to go with something very minor maybe. A code F, means it needs some work. A code H, means it needs lots of work. The MEP-8xx series of generators are selling because they are being replaced with the next generation generator known as AMMPS (3rd generation) What is AMMPS generators

The codes use to mean something... I believe they throw a F on there to just move it along to auction. I have seen some with code F that are basically brand new.

Remember, it's a auction. The bigger wallet wins. Watch for locations, if your in New York, you might not want to bid on something in California. Transportation can really add up.

Generators; such as MEP-802A weigh around 850lbs wet MEP-803A weigh around 1200lbs wet.

Because it is a auction, you can still be stuck with a piece of crap.

 

[Dwnorton1]

Daybreak thank you for your post. I did not realize gov planet would attempt to fill with fluids. Still scares me, but at least they are not cranking over on a machine with no lube oil. As always you provide great and detailed information. We do appreciate it.

 

[Light in the Dark]

The codes use to mean something... I believe they throw a F on there to just move it along to auction. I have seen some with code F that are basically brand new.

Are these codes something that GP is assigning? I have not noticed a coding system before... but I use GL for my needs. Also definitely watch the freight if you need to have them shipped. Just cost me $1400 to move (2) MEP002As from TX to MA.

 

[csheath]

That is one reason I would be apprehensive of gov planet gen sets. I had rather not have one they have started or attempted to start. Most of these units are drained of fluids and doubt seriously that the guy taking pics will be as nearly a thorough as I will be before I ever toggle a switch. Same for all of the equipment sold.

All of the videos I've watched there make a point to pan to the oil pressure gauge as it's running so I don't think they are dumb enough to start a unit dry. That said cold oil pressure doesn't tell you much about what it would do warmed up and loaded.

From all I've read on here and seen with my unit I agree there is no such unit that won't need some service and repairs. My unit had documentation stating it was serviced 1 run hour before it was taken out of service but it sat for 6 years after that. The paperwork stated it had the fuel and temp gauges replaced as well as new fuel return lines and all new filters followed up with a successful load test. When I fired it off it leaked fuel from all the hoses, the load, volt, and hertz gauges didn't work, and one leg would drop several volts under load.

Starting over the first thing I would do before hooking up batteries is to replace that rotten cloth wrapped fuel hose.

Another warning is to not get caught up in the high bids I see on some units. A brand new 10KW diesel generator can be bought for under $7000. These people paying 2 and 3 grand for a pig in a poke are nuts IMO. They may come out okay in the long run but I would never invest half of new for an old used unit that some parts are going to be hard to source on.

 

[Light in the Dark]

I saw a low hour (under 20) MEP-803A out of GA go for $5000​ just last week. Thats stupid.

 

[dav5]

I have noticed that there seems to be a big price difference between geographical areas.

 

[doghead]

Consider the original cost.

Consider what a commercial unit costs.

Consider what the asset will mean to you.

$5000 is not crazy, all things considered.

 

[Dwnorton1]

I saw a low hour (under 20) MEP-803A out of GA go for $5000​ just last week. Thats stupid.

Only takes two, but that is ridiculous. I hope for whomever's sake that they find gold bar in fuel tank.

 

[Bmxenbrett]

Also on GL auctions the ending time means nothing if someone bids with 1min left the ending time is now 5min further out. Its not a race to be the last bid like ebay.

 

[Chainbreaker]

Also, don't rule out finding a decent unit on Craig's List. They show up from time-to-time if you frequently look in a radius you are willing to travel to. I bought all 3 of my generator's off CL. Some advantages of buying off CL:

1. If it is advertised as running you can ask to see it run before purchasing.
2. If it is running you can verify that it is making proper power (Kill-A-Watt, trouble light, etc.)
3. Often the owner/seller knows its history, at least what he has repaired/serviced and will share that with you.
4. Its not going to be a bidding war. You know what the advertised price is and can often negotiate the price down if you see any issues. First to show up with cash gets the unit.
5. Often people are moving, distress sale, or other factors that motivate them and they are anxious to find a new owner so they don't have to move it or pay to store it somewhere. They are often quite reasonable in pricing.
5. No added sales fees tacked on.
6. No restrictive entry hours or procedures to deal with.
7. If you don't like it, or its not as advertised, you can walk away and take your money with you!

 

[Chainbreaker]

Oops, deleted duplicated post

 

[Daybreak]

Are these codes something that GP is assigning? I have not noticed a coding system before... but I use GL for my needs. Also definitely watch the freight if you need to have them shipped. Just cost me $1400 to move (2) MEP002As from TX to MA.

Howdy,
Look at anything that is on auction. You used to see a code. Although I do not see it working anymore.

google something like DRMO condition codes
example;
MEP-802A code F

MEP-803A code F


The same thing would apply for the type of Demil code. Why some items require a EUC
DLA Disposition Services Demilitarization codes
A - No Demilitarization or Trade Security Control Assessment / Clearance required. Department of Commerce may impose licensing requirements for certain items.
F - United States Munitions List (USML) items. Demilitarization instructions to be furnished by the Item/Technical Manager/Equipment Specialist, however, Trade Security Controls (As set forth by the Department of State) are required at the time of disposition. Demilitarization will have been performed prior to issuing to the Contractor for purposes of the contract.
Q - Commerce Control List Items (CCLI). Demilitarization not required, however Trade Security Controls (as set forth by the Department of Commerce) required at time of disposition. Trade Security Control Assessment/Clearance required. Mutilation to the point of scrap required outside the United States.

Location pricing.
OK, say Georgia has 140 generators up on auction... there are only so many bidders looking there when someone adds the fees and shipping. Say you are in California, and only 2 generators are up on auction, price could go high due to only 2 being sold. Its simply supply and demand pricing. Big wallets too.

Someone local might have physically checked out units they want to purchase. Pictures are one thing, physically checking is another.

 

[Bmxenbrett]

Mikester where are you located? I have two 802a that im willing to part with.