MEP-831 A overload problems

[wonk1970]

having trouble with my generator was working fine for 3 years now it goes into overload short when i turn on A/C in camper Please Help

 

[DieselAddict]

Can you shoot a short video of the gauge panel of the generator when the problem occurs?

 

[Dieselmeister]

How do you know that the generator is the problem, and not the air conditioner? I spent hours trouble shooting a motor starter / motor circuit once, only to find out the device connected to the motor had mechanical issues, causing the starting overload.

Can you connect another large load / motor to the generator to see if it will start that?

Also check all your connections. If the AC does not get full voltage to start, it will draw more current and possibly cause a trip situation.

 

[Mullaney]

having trouble with my generator was working fine for 3 years now it goes into overload short when i turn on A/C in camper Please Help

.
I have to agree with DieselAddict and Dieselmeister .
DieselMeister has several really good and valid points.
DieselAddict's point for asking for a video will let us see what you see.


Startup amperage (draw) for an air conditioning unit is quite often twice the load of it running with the compressor on and pumping cold air. If everything has been good for three years and suddenly has a failure - it could be in the generator - but more likely the compressor or fan in the A/C is going bad. Everything could have been working fine for a long time - but eventually (maybe?) a bearing has gone bad.

You could test as suggested with a similar amp draw motor.
You might try a different power source to help diagnose the generator.

Another thought is for you to be standing somewhere else when the failure happens. You might hear a shrill "skreek" sound when you engage the A/C that you hadn't heard. It is all guesswork, but maybe?

 

[DieselAddict]

I would say a likely issue if the true problem is with the AC is the capacitor on the compressor. Those age over time and will cause the start event to take longer and use more energy. If the AC is over 5 years old its not a bad idea to replace it anyway. It can help make the compressor last longer. Thankfully they are super cheap.

Edit - I see your location is shown as PA in your profile. I don't know why I didn't see that before so I don't think it would be convenient for you to bring the generator over.
--------------------------
I have no idea where you are but if you are close to central NC you can bring the generator over and we can load bank it. That will tell you in a few minutes if your generator has a problem.

 

[wonk1970]

Thanks guys for the info,. but i tried it on other campers also, and no good so i plugged camper in to another generator and it works just fine. it does not even make it rev up that high on rpms. i cant show a video i brought it home from camp already, i was told it might be the overload relay they are known to go bad a lot. checking in to it Thanks

 

[DieselAddict]

I suggest loading it up progressively with resistive loads to see exactly where it trips. That will be important information.

With the 831 load is measured by the inverter. There is no external trip unit like there is on the non-inverter generators. If its tripping out on overload its because the inverter itself detects the overload and shuts down the party.

I hate to ask a dumb question but here goes anyway, have you switched it between 120v and 240v modes? If its in 120v mode have you put a jumper between L1 and L2 at the power terminals? Have you checked to make sure there is 0v between L1 and L2 (assuming its in 120v mode)?

 

[kloppk]

Also make sure the generator is adjusted to the correct AC output voltage. If it's not correct the AC may draw more current and for longer than usual at startup.

 

[wonk1970]

were can i get parts for this thing thanks

 

[DieselAddict]

What parts do you need?

 

[Guyfang]

Need to know what parts you need. You need to start with the parts TM. Look up the part number and NSN. Then try plugging them into places like epay and such. If no joy, then we can look in another direction. Balls in your court.

 

[wonk1970]

What parts do you need?

inverter parts light bulbs switches and relays things like that is there a place to go or find the parts on the web

 

[kloppk]

The Classifieds on this forum
Ebay

Relays K12, K14 &K15 can be purchased from Digikey.
They also have an LED bulb that works well.
For the switches suitable substitute ones can be found on Digikey too. The ones in the set aren't typical switches so you'll need to know how to understand how the sets switch's work to find a suitable replacement.

Inverters are like hens teeth. They do occasionally pop up on Ebay.

 

[wonk1970]

The Classifieds on this forum
Ebay

Relays K12, K14 &K15 can be purchased from Digikey.
They also have an LED bulb that works well.
For the switches suitable substitute ones can be found on Digikey too. The ones in the set aren't typical switches so you'll need to know how to understand how the sets switch's work to find a suitable replacement.

Inverters are like hens teeth. They do occasionally pop up on Ebay.

thanks for the info do you happen to know the part number for the green push light thanks

 

[kloppk]

The LED bulb is a 5861106105F

 

[Dewie38]

The LED bulb is a 5861106105F

thanks for the info do you happen to know the part number for the green push light thanks

PM me and let me know what you need, I have lots of new and some used parts.
No need for part numbers, just let me know know what part, ie fault panel, inverter, start switch, etc.

 

[kloppk]

 

[Aby3250]

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Thanks!!!