MEP831A moisture in the controller

[Mogman]

We had a brief 2 hr power outage today, I did not figure it would be too long so I got out one of the MEP831As
It had been in the rain for several hours and it would fail immediately with an overload condition, before the load switch was even available

I have been told this is due to moisture in the controller, when it is dry again and I put a blower on the controller and dry it out all is well.
Has anyone ever actually fixed this issue?

 

[DieselAddict]

Sure, common problem. What I typically do is start the unit and let the heat from the engine dry it out.

Its the inverter that is the problem. By controller are you referring to the inverter? There is a speed controller behind the instrument panel. That is not the source of this particular problem.

On my unit I've found that covering it with a waterproof tarp solves the problem. At some point when I am not 10 projects behind I'll remove the inverter and seal up the problem areas so it stops happening.

 

[Mogman]

I did not get to finish, I lost power again and my big UPS batteries have gone wonky so I had to shut my PC down.
Yes I meant the inverter, sorry. This has happened before and ether running the engine or putting a fan on the inverter and drying it out usually works.
I was thinking it needed the boards re-doped

 

[DieselAddict]

That’s right. Need to make sure all the coating on the boards is good and seal up any of the unsealed pots.

running the engine for 15 or so min tend to get mine back online if I forget to keep it covered.

 

[Mogman]

I can't remember how I would keep it running to dry out....

 

[DieselAddict]

There is a pin on the servo on the side of the engine. Use that to hold the speed control at max.

 

[Mogman]

There is a pin on the servo on the side of the engine. Use that to hold the speed control at max.

Yes, now I remember (after you told me)

 

[DieselAddict]

Happens to me all the time!

 

[Mogman]

Yep a few minutes running and she is fine, I have her pulling a kilowatt or so on the shop right now.
I have one of those wifi controllers but cannot remember the IP address or password, I will have to look that up, actually I may have it on a piece of paper inside the control box, will skip out there in a few minutes and look if it stops raining, if not when I do find it I will put a note in there...

 

[DieselAddict]

Excellent. Glad you are back up and going.

 

[fb40dash5]

Yes, now I remember (after you told me)

Should also work if you unplug the connector from the side of the inverter.

For some reason, mine has only thrown this fit once, and that was when I left it literally outside, and it got rained on. Even on my patio where the joint from the house roof leaks on it... doesn't care. Even a couple weeks ago, when I had to get it set up in a torrential downpour... didn't care. And it's plenty humid here. I got a $20ish cover off amazon this summer for it, fits like a slightly-long glove.