MEP operation and testing video thread

[sewerzuk]

I have posted a few videos in their own threads of a few MEP's that I have tested, modified, etc. I figure that they may be helpful for those that are working on their own MEP's, or for those that have questions about their capabilities, etc. So, I decided to post all of my videos in one place. Although I have repaired/tested dozens of them, I only have a few videos right now. But, I will continue to take and upload videos, and post them to this thread as time goes on.


MEP-006a:

Load test, startup, and a few clips of my load bank:
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJ0SEAEgPo0[/media]

Load and overload test, waveform display, and single phase starting surges:
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptqzoolC38Q[/media]



MEP-004a:

Startup, operation, and 3 phase load test:
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsHsW1x_PLQ[/media]

Startup, operation, load test, single phase surges, and waveform analysis:
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_ykrzMbTZk[/media]

Recovery, maintenance, and first startup:
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INhecpiGAoc[/media]

Recovery, maintenance, and first startup part 2:
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGyQj2RqhCQ[/media]

Repair, maintenance, and first startup of another set (this one is interesting because I get zapped at one point, and I also capture a piece of copper wire being vaporized as well):
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AABL7m7z3R0[/media]


MEP-003a:

Demonstration of an -003a in a trailer with PLC controls:
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52dkk7QrmUA[/media]

Some cold start videos:
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uN5ar2S_IVc[/media]
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9HhFrEHJOc[/media]
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0dwvFvrSpg[/media]

 

[derf]

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UGD4pxwVOA[/media]

 

[derf]

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFa3PkY_M7U[/media]

 

[PeterD]

Great videos... Hey, one question, my MEP-004AAS the top covers open the opposite of yours. That is the outermost panel opens, not the inner one. I wonder if there is any 'logic' to this, or reason? And if mine are backwards, are they easy to turn around?

 

[Keith_J]

I put my 002A though a short load test today, using my Dynasty 200 DX wired in 3-phase and running 4 3/32" E6013 electrodes (at the same time) on 200 amperes combined. That is the welder setting. Didn't have an observer to monitor the % rated current, the frequency dipped to 58 Hz, probably need more sensitivity there.

The welder's manual shows this to be a 7.8 kW load and only a maximum duty cycle of 20% so just one set of rods were burned. No black smoke.

 

[sewerzuk]

Great videos... Hey, one question, my MEP-004AAS the top covers open the opposite of yours. That is the outermost panel opens, not the inner one. I wonder if there is any 'logic' to this, or reason? And if mine are backwards, are they easy to turn around?

I don't know if there was any logic one way or the other...they remove with a hex head wrench (or allen wrench) and are easy to turn around. I have had maybe a dozen of these sets and they all open different directions.

Here is my logic:
The intake side should open from the inside to prevent/reduce the amount of moisture that the gauge panel is exposed to. The exhaust side should open from the inside as well, to prevent the possibility of rain entering the exhaust pipe on a non-running engine. I don't know if it makes any difference, but it makes me feel good about the sets that I move out of my shop

 

[sewerzuk]

added a few "cold start" videos to the end of my first post...quite a bit of smoke from the -006a!

 

[sewerzuk]

added another video I have been holding onto for a while; it is another recovery/repair of an MEP-004a, but it is a little more interesting because, during some troubleshooting, I manage to get "bit" by a few stray volts

AND, I captured a piece of copper wire becoming molten copper sparks, too

24:24 and 29:14

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AABL7m7z3R0[/media]

 

[cpf240]

Cool, I just watched that one last night! Fun videos, keep them coming!

 

[tristanh4]

Hello,

I am trying to test my MEP006A 60Kw generator. I have the control panel that you have in the first video. I can get the engine going, no problem but I am not real familiar with this machines and I cannot figure out the combination of switches that I believe I need to have "on" and "off" in order to see the voltage output. Non of the dials move at all when the engine is running and I cannot figure out why. Can you offer some help (or can anyone) on how I actually test a load to see if the generator portion of my machine is actually working? Thanks so much, looking forward to some responses.

 

[tristanh4]

Hello,

I am trying to test my MEP006A 60Kw generator. I have the control panel that you have in the first video. I can get the engine going, no problem but I am not real familiar with this machines and I cannot figure out the combination of switches that I believe I need to have "on" and "off" in order to see the voltage output. Non of the dials move at all when the engine is running and I cannot figure out why. Can you offer some help (or can anyone) on how I actually test a load to see if the generator portion of my machine is actually working? Thanks so much, looking forward to some responses.

 

[sewerzuk]

Hello,

I am trying to test my MEP006A 60Kw generator. I have the control panel that you have in the first video. I can get the engine going, no problem but I am not real familiar with this machines and I cannot figure out the combination of switches that I believe I need to have "on" and "off" in order to see the voltage output. Non of the dials move at all when the engine is running and I cannot figure out why. Can you offer some help (or can anyone) on how I actually test a load to see if the generator portion of my machine is actually working? Thanks so much, looking forward to some responses.

No problem; basically, here's how you need to start your generator (this is a generalization of the instructions that should be inside of the control panel door):

1. Move the throttle to about the halfway position (push it all the way in, then pull it all the way out, then move it to about 1/2 of that travel).

2. Place the start/run switch in run.

3. On the alarm panel, momentarily place the switch in test/reset and make sure that all of the lights light up, then release.

4. Momentarily place the battleshort switch in battleshort to check fuel level, and to allow the fuel pumps to top off the day tank. Then place back in normal.

5. Hold the start/run switch in start until the engine starts. CONTINUE HOLDING IT IN THE START POSITION FOR AT LEAST 5-10 SECONDS AFTER THE ENGINE IS RUNNING (this step is the one that everybody skips). A safety switch will automatically disengage the starter motor so you shouldn't near grinding. This extra time in the start position allows the oil pressure to build up, AND it flashes the generator field to allow it to start making power.

6. Once the generator is running, your voltmeter should be reading something (at least 100 volts, no mater the position of the volts-amps switch). The % power and % current meters should both read zero.

7. Adjust the engine throttle to attain 60 hz on the frequency meter.

8. Cycle the volts/amps switch through its positions. If the gen is wired for low voltage, you should see the following voltages:
L1-L0: 120v
L2-L0: 120v
L3-L0: 120v
L1-L3: 208v
L2-L3: 208v



edit: once your engine and generator are running properly and you can see a good voltage, I can help explain how to hook up a load to your generator. Probably best to start a new topic on this as I was hoping to keep this thread related to the videos. Thanks!

 

[Motownmike]

Great Vid!

Be careful will 'ya? You took a pretty good poke there Sewerzuk! I'm glad that was not your last video, I'd hate to see you get injured or worse.
Real interesting and I learn something with everyone you post. Thanks again for a great job and congrats on bringing another one back to life.
Mike

 

[sewerzuk]

Be careful will 'ya? You took a pretty good poke there Sewerzuk! I'm glad that was not your last video, I'd hate to see you get injured or worse.
Real interesting and I learn something with everyone you post. Thanks again for a great job and congrats on bringing another one back to life.
Mike

Thanks!
Yep...I actually did that several months ago. I was wondering whether or not to upload it, but I figured, eh. That's just part of the job! And...I got a good laugh out of it myself. It was lucky that I caught it on camera. The part that you can't see is that I hit my head on the ASK housing when I got bit...don't know whether the shock or the smack upside the head hurt worse.
I'm actually pretty cautious with working on electrical equipment. That zap was a bit of a fluke...there is no hazardous voltage in those MEP's until the set has come up above the speed switch setpoint, and the field has been flashed. So, even if the set started and began running, I would have had several seconds to get out of the cabinet. The shock I got was painful, but not really dangerous. Similar to a spark plug wire or an electric fence. Very high voltage, but no real current behind it.

 

[lindyp38]

thanks...great vids....very helpful.........