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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?

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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
217
26
18
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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