Low voltage on MEP002A

[Geronimoejoe]

Hi
I'm an old Navy Aviation Electronics Tech., so excuse my ignorance about generators. I worked on INS, AFCS, ADC, and LSO on the aircraft aboard USS INDEPENDENCE, CV62.
My old MEP002A gen is putting out 109vac, and 208vac and I really have no idea where to start looking. We really need it after hurricane Laura slapped us down hard here in Texas. I measured these voltages with a Simpson 260 (remember that one?)
It looks like all of the switches are in order. The large switch on the left under the little cover is in the right place for 120/240 and the voltages are correct for 3 phase, (I guess). I just need to run the well pump and compressor off of 240 single phase so we can take a shower. (Getting smelly after 4 days).
I really appreciate you guys having me on here, and I feel like a middle schooler in the same room with a lot of high-schoolers. If I do something wrong, just slap me.
I appreciate any feedback at all. I'm blind in one eye and can't see out of the other.
Thanks

 

[Geronimoejoe]

Hi
I'm an old Navy Aviation Electronics Tech., so excuse my ignorance about generators. I worked on INS, AFCS, ADC, and LSO on the aircraft aboard USS INDEPENDENCE, CV62.
My old MEP002A gen is putting out 109vac, and 208vac and I really have no idea where to start looking. We really need it after hurricane Laura slapped us down hard here in Texas. I measured these voltages with a Simpson 260 (remember that one?)
It looks like all of the switches are in order. The large switch on the left under the little cover is in the right place for 120/240 and the voltages are correct for 3 phase, (I guess). I just need to run the well pump and compressor off of 240 single phase so we can take a shower. (Getting smelly after 4 days).
I really appreciate you guys having me on here, and I feel like a middle schooler in the same room with a lot of high-schoolers. If I do something wrong, just slap me.
I appreciate any feedback at all. I'm blind in one eye and can't see out of the other.
Thanks

I forgot to mention....it worked good last year, and I hooked a chain to the hoisting hook so I could get it behind the house with the tractor loader bucket. It got banged around against the bucket pretty good.

 

[rickf]

You say the switch is set correctly for 120 and the voltages are correct for 3 phase. You should be set for single phase for a home unless you have some strange wiring in your house and it is wired for three phase. I will assume you are set at single phase, have you checked the voltage adjust knob on the panel on the upper right if I remember the location correctly? And have you actually checked the voltages coming out at the lugs? If it is actually low at the lugs then turn that voltage adjuster up and see if it goes up. Also make sure your cycle are set correctly by setting the RPM. If you were banging the control panel around then you may need to look around in there and make sure all the connections are tight.

 

[Geronimoejoe]

You say the switch is set correctly for 120 and the voltages are correct for 3 phase. You should be set for single phase for a home unless you have some strange wiring in your house and it is wired for three phase. I will assume you are set at single phase, have you checked the voltage adjust knob on the panel on the upper right if I remember the location correctly? And have you actually checked the voltages coming out at the lugs? If it is actually low at the lugs then turn that voltage adjuster up and see if it goes up. Also make sure your cycle are set correctly by setting the RPM. If you were banging the control panel around then you may need to look around in there and make sure all the connections are tight.

Rick...
I had no idea that you could even rev up the rpm on this thing. I went to the barn and cranked it up, found the knob on the front right of the gen, and pulled it out toward me, and...voila! I heard the RPMs come up, set the cycle for 60HZ, and there was 240VAC between L1 & L3. I checked the 120 VAC, and I was 120 VAC!
Sorry for getting back so late on this, but I had a good excuse. Between cutting huge pines off of the fence that "Laura" caused, and trying to get the debris out of the driveway, I could hardly find time to get back. But I really appreciate the advice and instructions. I learned a lot about this old generator that I would've never known otherwise.
Thanks again

 

[Chainbreaker]

Glad to hear it was a simple "Operator Error" issue. You need to download all the TM's here & read them once you have the time.

Also, you started another thread on the same issue. Thus you should post in your original thread that you fixed the issue.

 

[rickf]

Rick...
I had no idea that you could even rev up the rpm on this thing. I went to the barn and cranked it up, found the knob on the front right of the gen, and pulled it out toward me, and...voila! I heard the RPMs come up, set the cycle for 60HZ, and there was 240VAC between L1 & L3. I checked the 120 VAC, and I was 120 VAC!
Sorry for getting back so late on this, but I had a good excuse. Between cutting huge pines off of the fence that "Laura" caused, and trying to get the debris out of the driveway, I could hardly find time to get back. But I really appreciate the advice and instructions. I learned a lot about this old generator that I would've never known otherwise.
Thanks again

Just so you know, That know you pulled on is a vernier throttle so you can turn it to slowly adjust the throttle speed. And as Chainbreaker said, be sure to get the manuals and read through them. The operators manual especially. You want to read through that several times and sometime when the power is NOT out practice starting the generator up and turning on the breaker in the dark. Only turn the breaker on if it is not hardwired into the panel. You definitely do not want to feed power to an energized panel. If you are going through any form of transfer apparatus then this is not possible and you are safe. And so are the power workers. That is a subject for other threads and there are many on the subject.
But you want to practice starting and running the set under normal conditions so that when you have to do it under stress it feels normal.

 

[Geronimoejoe]

Just so you know, That know you pulled on is a vernier throttle so you can turn it to slowly adjust the throttle speed. And as Chainbreaker said, be sure to get the manuals and read through them. The operators manual especially. You want to read through that several times and sometime when the power is NOT out practice starting the generator up and turning on the breaker in the dark. Only turn the breaker on if it is not hardwired into the panel. You definitely do not want to feed power to an energized panel. If you are going through any form of transfer apparatus then this is not possible and you are safe. And so are the power workers. That is a subject for other threads and there are many on the subject.
But you want to practice starting and running the set under normal conditions so that when you have to do it under stress it feels normal.

Yeah, I went down to the barn yesterday and messed around with it a little after the post about the throttle. I have the manual downloaded.
I'm trying to read it as much as I can so I can be more "efficient " with it. We finally got power just after I bought a new gen. But it's really great to know it's there when another storm hits. When I get caught up with the damages from the storm, I plan on getting to know this generator like a brother.
I apologize for posting a new thread on the same topic. I'll do better in the future.
Blessings

 

[rickf]

No big deal, When things are going bad and you need answers NOW you do what you need to do. I don't know if it says anything in the manual but do NOT run the set at idle!!!! You will burn out the regulator because it will be trying to make power from less than enough voltage which raises amperage and lets the magic smoke out. The magic smoke is what makes all things electric work and when it gets out the electric things stop working.

 

[Geronimoejoe]

Thanks, Rick..
I could still run computer testing on the jets on a carrier, but generators...no way.
And I assumed it would idle itself up when under load. I would have probably burned it up. Maybe better that I couldn't get 240v out after all.
Blessings

 

[rickf]

When it is cold you set the unloaded running speed so the cycles are at about 61-62. Then when it warms up and you put a load on it check to see where it settles in at and adjust the rpm to bring the cycle down to 60. It is best to have a separate meter plugged into on of the outlets on the machine and use that for the measurements. The old military gauges are notorious for being inaccurate. Once the cycles are set then there is a voltage adjustment knob at the top right of the panel and you can get a little adjustment of the voltage there. Once the speed is set you pretty much do not have to change it after that. The engine governor will compensate for load changes.

 

[Geronimoejoe]

When it is cold you set the unloaded running speed so the cycles are at about 61-62. Then when it warms up and you put a load on it check to see where it settles in at and adjust the rpm to bring the cycle down to 60. It is best to have a separate meter plugged into on of the outlets on the machine and use that for the measurements. The old military gauges are notorious for being inaccurate. Once the cycles are set then there is a voltage adjustment knob at the top right of the panel and you can get a little adjustment of the voltage there. Once the speed is set you pretty much do not have to change it after that. The engine governor will compensate for load changes.

I'm making notes on all of this, so I get it right. The manual is great to study, but plain English has always worked better for me. Man, your head must hurt all of the time with all of that knowledge! Thanks are not enough, but my gratitude is un-ending.
Blessings

 

[rickf]

Believe me, I am not the goto guy on generators! I am reciting what I have learned from others on here. Hint, When Guyfang or Chainbreaker suggests something, pay attention! I am an expert on engines and automotive electrical systems. Generators are a sidelight for me basically out of necessity just like you. When the power goes out for me I have no lights which I can live with, No heat which I can deal with thanks to my wood stove but the lack of water.............. Eh-Eh, I need water. I can cook on my old Coleman stove or use the stove in the RV but if it is winter it is cold in the RV so the Coleman works just fine. Thankfully I have a gas hot water heater!