I just bought two MEP 701a generators, did I do OK or did I blow it?

[Blythewoodjoe]

I just won the auction on two (on one trailer) mep 701a's. I paid two times what I wanted to, but I really wanted them and the trailer. I plan to put the tires on my dodge. I have plans for everything.

Anyway I have been reading on here about some of you guys' generators and it would appear the 701a is the leaast desirable, but like I said, I really wanted that trailer and it's parts.

I should pick them up tomorrow. I think they all have no oil. Is that a common thing for them to do before they surplus them, drain the oil that is. I noticed all the generators had no oil.

These have fairly low hours. One has like 477 and other 690. I won them from GSA. I hate to say won, I have to pay for them after all

Joe

 

[jas67]

If you were closer I'd buy one of the MEP-701A's. They are the the same as a MEP-016B, but with the ASK (Acoustic Suppression Kit) enclosure.

They are decent units, just lower capacity than the larger units.

How much, if I may ask did you pay for the lot?

 

[Carl_in_NH]

Oil status seems like it all depends on the site that's surplusing them; I bought two gensets from GL, at two different sites. One was drained of oil and crankcase fogged, and the other was full of oil - yet drained of fuel and tagged as such.

 

[Blythewoodjoe]

How much, if I may ask did you pay for the lot?

$1314.00, which I guess is what they were worth today to me. I had hoped to get them for less, but one other guy wanted them too. That's all it takes.

 

[rat4spd]

Two 701's and a trailer for $1314? Seems alright to me if they are good units.

 

[Isaac-1]

Sounds fair to me too, I have a 701a (paid about $400 for it off GL last year), it works ok, is rated for 3 KW, probably about the same as a civilian unit rated at 4.5 KW, as the 3KW is at .8 PF even 1 phase, up to 8,000 ft and at 100+ degrees F, 24/7. The only big downside of the MEP-016B/ MEP-701a is the fact it is a 3600 rpm unit, and therefore the fuel consumption at no load is about the same as the 1800 rpm 5 KW MEP-002a. On a positive note my 701a will start in cold weather very easily (starts without pre-heating down to about 28 degrees F), whereas the MEP-002 is known for being hard to start even with pre-heating on cold days.

Ike

p.s. It is common to find fluids drained, and often batteries removed, note the 701a uses a special 24V battery that can be hard to find, I paid about $75 for one off ebay, then found the local battery place had an old stock that had been ordered for a military contractor

 

[Blythewoodjoe]

p.s. It is common to find fluids drained, and often batteries removed, note the 701a uses a special 24V battery that can be hard to find, I paid about $75 for one off ebay, then found the local battery place had an old stock that had been ordered for a military contractor

I'm glad you mentioned that. I was wondering about that because there is a slave cable port and it appears to only have one battery. I think both have a battery in them but I'm sure it is old and worthless.

Thanks,
Joe

 

[Isaac-1]

You might get lucky on the battery, some people do, mine was just a little too far gone, it would hold a charge, but not enough to crank the set. During initial testing I used a pair of cheap $16 12V lawn mower batteries from O'Reillys auto parts wired in series. For me the MEP-701a is just about the right size for emergency household backup,in the summer its big enough to run the refrigerator and freezer, along with a 5,000 btu window air conditioner, an 11,000 btu portable air conditioner, as well as a few lights, tv, etc. (In theory I might even be able to do laundry if everything else was turned off and the electric dryer was on low), in the winter its even better as I have gas heat and just need to be able to run the blower fans and electronic controller.

Ike

p.s. its also nice that at a bit over 500 pounds it is unlikely to grow legs and walk off on its own.

 

[jas67]

$1314.00, which I guess is what they were worth today to me. I had hoped to get them for less, but one other guy wanted them too. That's all it takes.

IHMO, this is a good price if they are good running units. If you figure $500 ea. for the generators, you got the trailer for $314 -- cheap any way you look at it.

Even though these are 3600 RPM sets, they are still rated for 2500 hours until "reset" by the military. That is under extreme conditions of up to 8000 ft altitude, and 120 degrees F. Considering a similar sized open-framed (not enclosed) civilian gas-powered set of the same capacity is about $500 new this is a good deal. If you want to compare a civilian diesel set, a cheapo chinese-made Yanmar clone will run you $900 new, or $400-$500 used. The genuine Yanmar 3.7KW gensets run about $3000 new, and fetch well over $1000 used -- and these are still open framed.

With patience, you could sell one of the 701A's in running condition for $1000.

 

[Blythewoodjoe]

OK guys, I have removed the generators from the trailer and all the stuff that came with them. It appears it was a complete set up with the box to switch between the two gens. Anyway if any of you guys are interested I will put all the stuff I don't need in the classified in a week or two when I have time. I put the trailer bed on my bob deuce and I am putting 2' sides and fenders on it to make it a "step side" truck. I am doing nothing else until I finish this and get it painted. I hope to be done by the middle of next week. I'll post pictures of the truck and extra parts when I get done. The generators are on hold until I finish the truck but I am chompin' to try and fire them up.

One question, what oil do you guys use in these small diesels? I have down loaded some TM's and assume they will have the info, but I have found even if you find the info you need it is so often just the part numbers for the "military" part so your still in the dark.

Thanks,
Joe

 

[SCSG-G4]

Joe,
It's warming up around here, so they will likely use good 30wt diesel motor oil. Rotella is probably overkill!

 

[Isaac-1]

I run Rotella 15w40 in mine, just like all my other diesels, capacity it 3 quarts. Next oil change I will likely use Chevron Delo 400 15w40, as I bought 2 gallons a while back when I spotted it on clearance for 75% off, since 2 gallons is not enough to fill any of my other diesels.

Ike

 

[Rich Johnson]

I just sold one of my MEP-701A gensets for 1500 bucks. Like he said, compare it to a civilian model and they are still at elast a grand

 

[popacom]

Hi! popacom / Bill here, I would be interested in one of the gen. units you spoke of if you decide to get
rid of one please PM me and let me know what you will want cash or if there is anything you would consider
trading for ,or part cash part trade, I am in the process of putting a Commo rig together for my M-561
Gama Goat and this size unit would be ideal for my needs and requirements. That said I know you will be working
on finishing your project truck.(really want to see that bed on the bobber) so I will wait patiently,and hopefully
to hear back from you.

Thanks! popacom /BILL KAGIN III in KY.