Just beginning my mep-003a journey

[Rodburner]

I disconnected the jumper and connected both wires going to the oil pressure switch together. Generator fired up quickly. Thanks all for getting me this far along. Will any oil pressure switch work or should I use a specific one. Green Mountain shows one for $77.00 but I thought that was a little high. Let me know. Also I let the generator run for several minutes so not to be starting and stopping, noticed before I shut it down the voltage had dropped to zero. Planning to get the Kill-o-watt device to check frequency but haven’t had anything connected to it except for a led light while testing it. Your thoughts? Thanks again, need to put it up for tonight.

 

[Chainbreaker]

Taking irrelevant info to PM.

 

[Guyfang]

Figure 49, Item #15,

NSN's
5930-01-039-3140
5930-01-195-5537
5930-01-229-2707

Part numbers:
309-0641-02
3090177
76052-14
C030917700
M-4008-14
M1423-14
SM-2A-14K

Red numbers are prime. The red part number is Cummins. I would try that number first.

Origanal cost was $21.00

 

[2Pbfeet]

You might try using the Onan part number 309-0717. $20 or so on the jungle site.

 

[Rodburner]

I’ll see about getting the pressure switch coming my way. Does anyone have information about operating the generator without any load? I think the person I purchased it from said it could cause damage. Wanted your input before I kept testing without a load.

 

[Scoobyshep]

I’ll see about getting the pressure switch coming my way. Does anyone have information about operating the generator without any load? I think the person I purchased it from said it could cause damage. Wanted your input before I kept testing without a load.

It won't get as hot and can lead to wet stacking but that's an easy fix


What you shouldn't do is run the engine at idle (or really low speeds). This can make the avr strain

 

[Ray70]

It won't get as hot and can lead to wet stacking but that's an easy fix


What you shouldn't do is run the engine at idle (or really low speeds). This can make the avr strain

Definitely don't idle or operate under 56 Hz or so.... without disconnecting the excite wires, you WILL very likely damage the VR transistors if it's run at low RPM too long.
Don't worry about operating without a load, the prior owner was probably thinking more about the older single cylinder Vietnam era. gasoline generators which rumor had it, required a light bulb or other small load to be on all the time, but that may have been a myth.

 

[Guyfang]

Myth.

 

[Rodburner]

Generator is roaring as I post.
61.4 on the kill a watt meter
125v to the receptacle
Voltage gauge on panel is 3 lines above 220
Battery voltage is 26.4
Hour meter reads 13 but it could have been changed out.
I think I’ve got a generator!

 

[Rodburner]

Forgot to mention 40 psi on the oil pressure gauge. Here’s some pics of the machine, if it only has 13 hours it’s been some rough travels.
Louvers opened up some today while it was running.

 

[Guyfang]

Doesn't look all that bad. In the first picture, the exhaust. Turn them so they direct the exhaust away from the batteries. When the batteries get hot, is not good.

 

[2Pbfeet]

@Rodburner Congratulations!

The voltage divisions are 4V/division so I think that the panel voltage display is well within expected values.

I agree with @Guyfang's message above; you probably want to change the orientation of the exhaust elbows just to make sure they aren't toasting your batteries.

All the best,

2Pbfeet

 

[Rodburner]

Thanks, I’ll roll them up a little more. Just didn’t want to fill mufflers with rain.

 

[Chainbreaker]

Couple of things...

1. Beware! The AC reconnection box is a mouse attractant!. For whatever reason, they seem to find the opening where the Terminal Lugs are & crawl into the box there. Then they have a field day making a nest & chewing wires. Mouse pee is very corrosive & with all that "mouse renovation" inside the box internals it will destroy & short out components the next time you go to start it. A quick fix is to stuff a piece of the black foam pipe wrap in the ~1" opening flap to close off access. The more permanent fix is to use some 1/8th" hardware cloth in the back past the load terminals to close off the opening so they can't drop down inside the box. Here is a link to what I did: (4) MEP-002a only outputting 125v | SteelSoldiers

2. Whenever it gets to be really cold weather (below freezing snow & ice type weather) it can help benefit better combustion to slide Air Cleaner flap lever to Winter mode configuration. The intake air gets the benefit of pre-heating once engine is warmed up & is less likely to wetstack during no/low AC loading.

 

[Guyfang]

Thanks, I’ll roll them up a little more. Just didn’t want to fill mufflers with rain.

can not happen, well maybe in a hurricane. Normally they point straight away from the set. Was a big problem in the 70-80's. The exhaust fried thousands of Batteries. ( @peapvp ) Bet you cant find that PS article!!

 

[peapvp]

Thanks, I’ll roll them up a little more. Just didn’t want to fill mufflers with rain.

can not happen, well maybe in a hurricane. Normally they point straight away from the set. Was a big problem in the 70-80's. The exhaust fried thousands of Batteries. ( @peapvp ) Bet you cant find that PS article!!

@Guyfang that would be correct.

For the interested reader, these are all PS Articles from 2019 to present, which includes some 531, 1050/51 and other newer model info / issues

PS Magazine including gensets

 

[Guyfang]

Sadly, until just last year, it was possible to go back to the 70's for PS mag. We should have down loaded every one of them. A world of wisdom.

 

[Guyfang]

@Guyfang that would be correct.

For the interested reader, these are all PS Articles from 2019 to present, which includes some 531, 1050/51 and other newer model info / issues

PS Magazine including gensets

I just posted this info to the TM upload section.

 

[Chainbreaker]

Thanks, I’ll roll them up a little more. Just didn’t want to fill mufflers with rain.

can not happen, well maybe in a hurricane. Normally they point straight away from the set. Was a big problem in the 70-80's. The exhaust fried thousands of Batteries. ( @peapvp ) Bet you cant find that PS article!!

If you were overly concerned about water/moisture/debris being able to enter exhaust with them angled upwards, you could always put a couple of those small juice cans etc. sitting downward facing over exhaust ends to keep everything out. Even if you forgot to remove them, the exhaust would blow them right off.

 

[Rodburner]

You folks have been busy here today. Thanks for all the help and tips you’ve given. Iv slipiped into Colorado for the weekend to help my daughter move so no updates.
Since the plans for the generator is to be a stand alone power supply, should I mount a 100 amp breaker box to the skid and supply power through it? I thought I read somewhere that the 003a could generate just above 100 amps per leg when switched to 1ph 240v.