MEP003 No Power

[M105/MEP003]

Just purchased a MEP-003 10KW from out of state and had it shipped in so I did not get to test it. The engine fires up and runs great. It was generating electricity when I first started it. Shut it down to reconnect the engine speed control knob which had been dummied out by a piece of linkage. When I started it back up I no longer have electric. The only thing that happened was that the engine stop solenoid is missing and when I started it back up one of the wires from the solenoid was touching the linkage. I guess that could have shorted but don't see how that could affect anything. None of the meters show anything (battery, fequency, load, volts). I don't thing the hour meter is running either. It seems like it just got turned off and I cannot figure out how to turn it back on. Any suggestion will be greatly appreciated. Thanks, John

 

[doghead]

Is the control circuit breaker ,tripped? Are you using the operator controls on the control panel to start it? Where are you testing for voltage? Is the outlet breaker tipped?

 

[M105/MEP003]

By control circuit breaker if you mean the one that you would normally use to kill the engine then no it is not tripped. Yes, I am starting the engine with the knob on the control panel. Cold start takes about 20 second on the heaters and then it starts. I tested for voltage at the receptacles and also the main terminal block at the lugs. No voltage in single or three phase. Strange that I had electric and then lost it. Thanks

 

[dirtyfingernails]

Start it up again, while it is running, turn the start switch to "start" briefly. This will flash the field and begin generating.

 

[M105/MEP003]

I had to go out last night and try it after I read your message. Started it up and the meters were all dead, hit the start switch again and the battery charge meter came to life and the hour meter started running. But still no voltage. The rest of the meters stayed dead and no output.

 

[LanceRobson]

By "control circuit breaker" he means the 3 pole breaker down by the convenience receptacle below and to the left of the main panel. There is a separate push button breaker for the convenience receptacle just to the receptacle's left.

Under the cover to the left of the main breaker is the reconnection switch. Both the main breaker and the reconnection switch are self cleaning. With the set shut down, cycle both several times. That may help if the issue is corroded or dirty contacts due to sitting a while. The main breaker can be used when the set is running but the reconnection switch will be damaged if the set is running.

Check the fuse in the fuse holder on the back side of the cooling shroud next to when the linkage runs up under the shroud.

Without having the set in front of me it's harder to visualize the troubleshooting process.

If you haven't already done so, use the "RESOURCES" tab above to go to the TM section and download TM5-6115-585-12, -24P and -34.

The parts manual (the -24P) can be particularly handy due to the exploded diagrams. Sometimes the other manuals will tell you to check or adjust a part without telling you where it is or what it looks like. The parts manual will help then.

Follow the troubleshooting guide in the -20 manual and it should help.

Lance

 

[M105/MEP003]

Here is a stupid idea. Does this thing need to be connected to a ground rod to generate electricity or is that just to protect you from getting shocked.

 

[LanceRobson]

Here is a stupid idea. Does this thing need to be connected to a ground rod to generate electricity or is that just to protect you from getting shocked.

No, but it will keep you from becoming the ground rod.

Lance

 

[M105/MEP003]

That is what I thought. I need to move the trailer over next to an unused ground rod from the electric fence and hook it up. Thanks for the info on the manuals. I have the operators manual but figured there had to be a complete maintenance and parts manual out there somewhere. I will see what I can figure out.

 

[M105/MEP003]

I finally got back to messing with the generator this weekend. Worked the reconnection switch back and forth several times and then started the generator back up. I now have electricity. Thanks so much for the help.