Any 30/60kw genset gurus?

[Light in the Dark]

Can someone school me on the difference between the A and B variations of these sizes? Only interested in info pertinent to 60hz too. Thanks

 

[robertsears1]

I would suspect it denotes different engines. My MEP 804A has an Isuzu engine while my 804B has a Yanmar. I remember looking at some 805 (I think) generators that had John Deere engines. I believe I remember browsing some older GL ads and those had White engines.

Robert

 

[snowtrac nome]

I went to the fielding course on the tqg's when they were first fielded they all had analog gauges, I suspect the ones we had in Iraq with digital panels were b models, by that time I had changed to a 63 b and didn't get to play with the gen sets.

 

[Guyfang]

In the 30 KW arena, the difference is the engines. That's all. In fact, for the -B model, you use the same manuals as the -A, and have to get another TM just for the engine. But 99.99999999% of the set is the same. Only a few small differences. Look at the TM in the TM forum for the -B model book.

In the 60 KW arena, the -A Model is non digital. No screen. And a different engine from the -B model. I am sure that there are some significant differences in the control panels also. The -A Model was a rare duck. I only saw a handful.

 

[Light in the Dark]

Thoughts about reliability on either rating, Guy?

 

[Chainbreaker]

Can someone school me on the difference between the A and B variations of these sizes? Only interested in info pertinent to 60hz too. Thanks

Not a guru, but I've stayed at a Holiday Inn before!

I have the guide "TM 12359A-OD/B" that someone posted on SS, it will probably pop up if you do a search for it. For one, it shows that an 805A/806A has analog gauges and 805B/806B has a digital screen. There may be other differences.

Hope that helps.

Edit: Of course it was Guy who posted it to the TM section here: https://www.steelsoldiers.com/showt...12359A-OD-B-Mobile-Electric-Power-Data-Sheets

 

[Guyfang]

Both the 30 and 60 had GREAT engine reliability. Rare was it that they had engine problems. And engine problems were easy for the soldiers to fix. The digital stuff in the control panel was a real eye opener for soldiers. They had lots of trouble troubleshooting the digital systems at first. And still do, although it's better. Take a look at the troubleshooting sections of the manuals. You see a whole lot of, "Notify Higher Level of Maintenance". And lots of the faults rotate around the I&O device, the Backplane, the printed circuit board and the CIM. All high dollar items, if you need to get one. Take a look at some of the treads on the Forum. Water in the CIM is normal. Nothing works when you have that problem. Lots of problems in the troubleshooting tell you to change the Backplane. Its what the soldiers did first, for most problems they could not figure out. Changing the Dam* thing is something you do when you have taken your patience pill first. Looks simple, until you get to the two canon plugs. There are some serious mistakes in the 60 KW parts manual, with part numbers. You order a volt reg for a 60 hertz model, get a 400 hertz model.

Having said all that, when they run, they run great! The printed circuit board, CIM and Backplane were once in VERY short supply. That got much better later on. And the CIM is in at least its third version. Color screen even. Would I buy one? Yeah, I guess, if the price was right, and I thought I could get me a few extra parts, to keep on hand.

Oh, the -B models are very sensitive to low battery voltage. Its a must, to have at least Red Top's in it, or Armalite or Hawker batteries in it. Lead asid just won't cut it.