New to me MEP-802A running

[Daybreak]

Howdy,
I just fired up a new acquisition MEP-802A. After going through it all and charging the batteries, it runs.

It ran for a little while and then shut down. I got a "no fuel" light. I fired it back up and got it again. But, now I want it to run longer. I checked everything out thinking I was going to pull the "no fuel" sensor and maybe fix it up. Everything check out, So I battle short it, and start loading it up. After running and shaking for about 30 minutes, the "no fuel" light is no longer there. I turn off the battle short and keep on going. I stepped around loads, 20%, 60%, 80%, 100%, and 120%. Put a good 1.5 hours on it. I think with all that shaking the motor does, the fuel sensor is working now. Fuel gauge has always worked.

https://youtu.be/5IYaPs_sn5k

Batteries?
The unit has 2 Exide 2HN batteries. I am shocked that these are regular lead acid type batteries with all the shaking. I know I am looking at the long haul in using this unit. I wonder if I would be better off selling the 2HN batteries and putting in 2 Optima yellowtops. (2011 dated batteries, and revived each separately using 12v smart chargers)

 

[Ratch]

I've switched my 002 and 803 to retired UPS batteries, which are sealed glass mat. They can be mounted in any position with no risk of leakage, and are probably better suited for rough service.
I'm not sure where you'd find used ones...they're about $300 each new.

 

[m-35tom]

low fuel switch has nothing to do with the fuel gauge but probably healed itself. shaking?? they run pretty smooth, have you checked the exhaust temp of each cylinder?

 

[Daybreak]

low fuel switch has nothing to do with the fuel gauge but probably healed itself. shaking?? they run pretty smooth, have you checked the exhaust temp of each cylinder?

Howdy,
correct. The fuel gauge is working fine. It was the other fuel sensor which shows the (Fault Indicator "No Fuel") light. I was talking about member Zarathustra post about the "No Fuel" fault light here

part of his posting
"NO FUEL as well as AUX FUEL PUMP are controlled by the liquid level sensor which is located in the left top of the fuel tank. Note that the fuel gauge sensor is in the right rear top of the tank."

I was hoping to not having to take the back panel off and get into the tank. It is a 2007 unit with 14 hours (no reset) So, it has done some sitting around. But, now after running it, loaded etc... and a full tank of fuel. I have not had anymore issues after the first 2 minutes of first starting it up.
https://youtu.be/-penpgi6Ebc

 

[Daybreak]

Howdy,
MEP-802A on the load bank single phase 120/240 with 3kw and 6kw loads.
https://youtu.be/6j6y6MM5acA

 

[Daybreak]

Howdy,

I now have over 70 hours on my unit. I feel the unit is now broken in. I am changing out the break-in oil to standard oil. I am again changing all the filters.

 

[Guyfang]

Mike,

The fuel float that turns on the low fuel idiot light is FL-1. Both it and FL-2 slide along a brass tube, with the contacts inside the tube. Magnets in the floats open or close the contacts. We found that when a generator, any generator, sat long time periods without fuel in the tank, that a "film" of some kind, (lacker?) often "glued" the floats in the position that they had been in, before adding fuel. When fuel is added to the tank, it sometimes took a bit to loosen up the floats. If you are not built like Man Mountain Dean, take off the fuel tank cap and remove the fuel strainer. Roll up your sleeve. Stick your arm into the tank, and feel around until you find the fuel floats. Move them up and down to "feel" if there is any resistance. Also feel to see if the floats are still cylinder shaped, and not falling apart. You can tell the difference between the FL-1 and FL-2 and the fuel tank level sending unit. The sending unit is only one float, and it is on a arm that mover up and down.

I love OPTIMA Batteries. Found them almost indestructible. The only better battery is HAWKER. What ever you do, get rid of the 2HN batteries. The Army stopped using them in the whole MEP-802-MEP-806 family long ago.

Is the set still shaking/vibrating?

 

[Daybreak]

Howdy,
The MEP-802A is a 2 cylinder diesel engine. Because of this the unit does have some vibration. The unit works a lot better when sitting on the ground. The vibration with the lifting rings is exacerbated with the unit running in the bed of a truck. They also rattle a lot when on a pallet. Once the unit is placed on the cement or ground, all the excess vibration, shaking, lifting rings rattling stopped.

My MEP-802A runs nice and smooth when on the ground.

 

[Chrispyny]

Howdy,
The MEP-802A is a 2 cylinder diesel engine. Because of this the unit does have some vibration. The unit works a lot better when sitting on the ground. The vibration with the lifting rings is exacerbated with the unit running in the bed of a truck. They also rattle a lot when on a pallet. Once the unit is placed on the cement or ground, all the excess vibration, shaking, lifting rings rattling stopped.

My MEP-802A runs nice and smooth when on the ground.

I agree. When i got my 2000 802a with 22 hours, i had it sitting on two 2x6's with harbor freight casters. When running, everything rang like a bell incuding the jiggling lift rings. Once i sat it down on its genpad of crushed #2 gravel, it purrs like a kitten and all jiggling rattling is gone. Sweet machines these are..

 

[Guyfang]

I thought it was on the ground. Clear as a bell now!! Although I once had an 802 "walk" across the floor of my shop. I thought it would rattle itself to pieces. One injector pump was WAY off. Fooled with it a while and got it to stay in one place.