MEP 1040 won’t start

[Jasonrs4317]

Need some help my Mel 1040 will not power up. Batteries are charged crank switch is in normal position breaker switch in on position bit no power to panel. What might be likely causes that I can track down?

 

[kloppk]

Did the generator previously work OK for you or is this generator new to you?

 

[Jasonrs4317]

This is new to me.

 

[Jasonrs4317]

I have ordered a new dc breaker switch as I did not see 24v across the lugs when it was in the on position. How likely is it that the control box is bad?

 

[kloppk]

Normally with the breaker OFF you'd see 24 volts across its two terminals and 0 volts with the breaker ON.
There is also a small circuit breaker in the Relay/Breaker box for the head unit power.

 

[Jasonrs4317]

Normall with the breaker OFF you'd see 24 volts across its two terminals and 0 volts with the breaker ON.
There is also a small circuit breaker in the Relay/Breaker box for the head unit power.

Where is the head unit power box with the relay/breaker in it.
Thank you for the explanation of the 24v breaker.

 

[kloppk]

Open the door below the display unit (DCS).
It's a black square box with a plastic lid. The specific CB in it is shown in the maintenance TM -24&P

 

[kloppk]

The control box (DCS) do go bad. One issue is they are supposed to be sealed to keep moisture out. Unfortunately sometimes moist air works its way in, condenses and causes corrosion.

 

[Jasonrs4317]

Is the symptom of a bad control board it just not coming on? What I experience is the lcd screen is black and doesn’t come on at all. And obviously no cranking either.

 

[Jasonrs4317]

The control box (DCS) do go bad. One issue is they are supposed to be sealed to keep moisture out. Unfortunately sometimes moist air works its way in, condenses and causes corrosion.

So I just went out side and pushed a few buttons on the panel and I can see the lights trying to come on when I push the panel lights button but they just flicker and don’t stay on. Any idea?

 

[DieselAddict]

Sounds like it’s going to require the DCS to be removed and inspected internally for damage.

 

[Guyfang]

You charged the batteries, are the connections tight?
Did you remove the battery connection to charge the batteries?
Did you TEST the batteries? Load test them?
Remove the connections, and test each battery separately.
Are they the batteries that came with the set? Are they new?
What readings do you get?

Flickering lights could mean bad/loose connections, or low battery voltage. And no, when the batteries are low, its not going to start. I have 4 batteries out in the garage, that I charged, and they read 12.2 volts. None of them are good. Load test the batteries if they are not brand new.

 

[Jasonrs4317]

You charged the batteries, are the connections tight?
Did you remove the battery connection to charge the batteries?
Did you TEST the batteries? Load test them?
Remove the connections, and test each battery separately.
Are they the batteries that came with the set? Are they new?
What readings do you get?

Flickering lights could mean bad/loose connections, or low battery voltage. And no, when the batteries are low, its not going to start. I have 4 batteries out in the garage, that I charged, and they read 12.2 volts. None of them are good. Load test the batteries if they are not brand new.

I have pulled the batteries out one is in great shape the other is not holding charge under load so it’s bad I have ordered a replacement. Before I pulled everything apart I saw 23.4 volts. Also the negative cables were a little loose at the slave connection.

 

[DieselAddict]

I assume you recently picked it up from Butner?

Is it this one?

2014 Cummins Power Generation MEP-1040 Generator Set

10 kW, 120/208 Volts 3 Phase, 10 kW, 120/240 Volts Single Phase, 120V Receptacles, Diesel Engine, Fuel Tank

www.govplanet.com

 

[Jasonrs4317]

I assume you recently picked it up from Butner?

Is it this one?

2014 Cummins Power Generation MEP-1040 Generator Set

10 kW, 120/208 Volts 3 Phase, 10 kW, 120/240 Volts Single Phase, 120V Receptacles, Diesel Engine, Fuel Tank

www.govplanet.com

Yes

 

[DieselAddict]

OK. High probability the computer has a problem. They use a big jump box to try and start the units. Since they couldn't get the hours off the screen it means the display didn't light up when they tried to jump it.

 

[Jasonrs4317]

OK. High probability the computer has a problem. They use a big jump box to try and start the units. Since they couldn't get the hours off the screen it means the display didn't light up when they tried to jump it.

I am thinking that might be the scenario. But I did find that the negative connection at the slave connection was loose so once I get the new battery I will try this all again and then see what we come up with. Thank for the info.

 

[Guyfang]

These new style gen sets do not like low batteries. So I would still get the one old battery load tested.

 

[DieselAddict]

Go slow and make sure you don't have other problems.

When you get known good batteries in there see if it will bump over with the dead crank switch.

Before doing that see if you can spin the engine over by hand.

 

[kloppk]

These sets also have a mechanical hour meter in them.
It's located above the GFCI behind the door under the DCS. Upper right.