New member and a new-to-me MEP-803a

[THANE]

Hello,

I'm new, but I feel welcome already after learning a lot from the posts I have read. I live off-grid and recently bought a MEP-803a for powering a future woodworking shop and charging a battery bank on dark days.

The genset is a 2000 with a 2012 Tier 2 and had 9 hours on the hobbs.

After looking it over in detail, I installed 2 new AGM batteries and fresh diesel. It started up without hesitation. It runs smooth and quiet. Oil pressure indicator was kaput, so I'm installing a new sender and Faria gauge with 24v-12v dropper. The load gauge has some tweeked needle bumpers that are keeping it from being adjusted.

I have put another 40 hours on it charging my small battery bank. It only loads it to 1500 watts. Clearly not enough to heat up the cylinders, exhaust and load the bearings. So, I acquired a 10kw space heater that can be wired for 208v 3 phase (7500w) or 240v single phase (10,000w).

I have seen some videos of where they directly wired a resistance load to the lugs and just flicked the AC circuit interrupter. You can see the load meter slap hard to the right side.

So, my first question is... Is that a smart thing to do? Or, should I put a safety switch / breaker inline?

Thanks!
Thane

 

[jamawieb]

I would recommend breaking your unit in a little more before slapping the big load on it. Just because you want to make sure the engine is broke in before applying such a big load. On an engine with 200+ hours no problem but with one that has just been rebuilt, you want to make sure everything sets correctly. Looks like a great genset.

 

[csheath]

I agree with jamawieb. You might want to take it easy if the unit has a new engine to break in.

My load meter read high as well. On top of that neither the voltage or hertz meters worked. You might be interested in changing them out for digitals like I did.
www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?162657-My-MEP-803A&p=1965774&viewfull=1#post1965774

 

[THANE]

Thanks. I will heed that advice.

I run it for 2-3 hours every day. After it hits 180 degrees coolant temp, the exhaust is pretty clean and seems to be getting cleaner.

 

[Guyfang]

Set looks good. Continue the march!

 

[Tinstar]

I like that John Deere 4x4 310SE better!

 

[THANE]

I like that John Deere 4x4 310SE better!

I think it has the same engine as the MEP-806a

 

[Daybreak]

Howdy,
I know you want to get onward using your generator. I would also point out that since the engine is a rebuilt/new, you will want to use a good protocol for breaking in the diesel engine.

Break-In oil for the low hour MEPS

The oil is not standard oil. The first run oil is what is known as break-in oil. Since it has been sitting around since it was done in 2012, I IMHO would drain the older oil and use a break-in oil for a while to ensure a good break-in.

A post with all the goodies MEP-802/803 Filters and Parts , the second post has stuff you will run into. King Kong tight fuel filters etc...

 

[TrailLifeBill]

Welcome to the MEP club!! Looks like you've got yourself a doozy for sure - it's a really nice one.

 

[Tinstar]

I think it has the same engine as the MEP-806a

Wish it was the same price as the generator

 

[THANE]

Installed the oil pressure gauge. Works perfect!

A little over 40psi cold and a little under 40psi at 180deg.

After full warm up it settled at about 28 psi.

 

[THANE]

Hours: 72

Today, after starting... it ran rough for a few minutes and then the engine died.

On attempting restart it wouldn't stay running after holding in start for 10-15 seconds. Was belching black smoke.

I got it started again and it sounded like it was missing on a cylinder. I was thinking a blocked injector??

I turned it off and let it sit for a while.

Then when it started it again, it was doing the same missing for a second and then it barfed up a good tablespoon of small carbon chunks (sand grain size). Then it started running super smooth. Better than ever.

???

 

[rhurey]

Blocked valve? Crap in the exhaust manifold get loose and got spit out?

 

[THANE]

Blocked valve? Crap in the exhaust manifold get loose and got spit out?

Blocked valve sounds more plausible. Thanks.

 

[DieselAddict]

Yea, My money is on stuck exhaust valve.

Can you put a little load on it and see how it does?

 

[THANE]

Yea, My money is on stuck exhaust valve.

Can you put a little load on it and see how it does?

I'll be putting more load on it soon. I'm likely wet stacking it and crud is building up.

 

[DieselAddict]

Don't be surprised if it sticks again after you start the next time. I recommend not running it again until you are ready to load it up. Since yours may be wetstacked you will want to step it up in stages. 2kw or so steps would be ideal. Don't load it if its missing or otherwise showing serious problems when unloaded.

 

[THANE]

Question: How should I wire a 240 single phase heater that only has black, white and ground wires? What lugs?

 

[DieselAddict]

Do you have a manual/cut sheet for the heater? How many black wires do you have?

 

[THANE]

Here's the single and 3 phase wiring... There is only 1 black and 1 white plus ground.