- 431
- 204
- 43
- Location
- Lynchburg, VA
Hello Folks,
Been enjoying watching this subforum while the right MEP-802A crossed my path. Well, just recently, that occurred and I now have my own MEP-802A mounted on a M116A3. I don't harbor any delusions that because it's mine it's somehow perfect, but I do think (hope?) I did ok with this purchase.
It's a 2003 unit with 726 hours on the clock. The batteries are presently hooked to my no.co gen2 to see if they can be recovered. They're military contract lead acid Exide units. They're no Hawker 6TLs, but, so far, so good- they 'seem' to be taking a charge for almost 14 hours now. Anybody found AGMs that fit and they like?
It needs coolant, and I want to change the oil/filters. Any input on where to get filters/what oil folks run/what coolant... would be super helpful. Ideally, I'd like to run Delo 400 15w40 diesel formulation in it if possible so that I reduce the variety of oils I keep on hand. And Prestone green coolant seems to be ok for most other applications for me thus far... is that ok in this, too? Does NAPA stock filters? Is there any xfer data published anywhere?
I'm going to drain the diesel from the tank to ensure there's no water in it. Which leaves me with the opportunity to do any related maintenance in that area. Well nut replacement? I've seen people saying that may be overkill? I'm open to ideas? Maybe it's already been done at the depot... what should I look for?
That's about all I can even think to say at this point. Would love it if you guys would take a look at some pics of the genset (trailer pics coming) and hopefully give suggestions:
This first one kept my attention for 800 miles of I40 while dragging it home. For what it's worth, it looks like it last went through a depot in the end of 2017. I know there are some mods (fuses, ...) folks mention - my hope is that this late date encompasses those. And in the storage bins are various TMs and paperwork for long-term storage. That was a relief to find.
![IMG_2383.jpg IMG_2383.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/527/527470-65f78f34a5eee78bd7812e58e95b9a08.jpg)
What struck me when I first opened the engine bay hatch was just how physically small the engine is. I don't know what I was expecting, but this surprised me somehow. I also really like all the thought that went into positioning/access/routing. Having worked on all kinds of equipment that left me wondering "who would design such a thing?!", this was a very welcome sight!
![IMG_2381.jpg IMG_2381.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/527/527471-80aa29f22413b256a26432af7be20b4d.jpg)
Just kind of walking around the genset taking photos of what I could see/get my phone into.
![IMG_2382.jpg IMG_2382.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/527/527472-7806a9cc4929aa15cacd9a4049dda9e7.jpg)
Looking at the lugs on this- what do folks do to terminate stuff here? I'm hoping to come up with a relatively easy way to put some kind of NEMA plug/adapter on here and use a short cord to hook it to a ATS. I'd like to use this approach because it's on a trailer that I'd like to be able to loan to family/friends/disaster relief. Thoughts?
![IMG_2384.jpg IMG_2384.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/527/527473-7e58c98f1fae58467b87357d258cc2d8.jpg)
![IMG_2385.jpg IMG_2385.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/527/527475-6ab71358937248c730296ef8c105db1e.jpg)
I've heard of folks putting bright(er) LEDs into the display panels. Thoughts? I'd love to do red if possible...
![IMG_2386.jpg IMG_2386.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/527/527476-8f23d2c32e98502ab1a095a4f9dff10d.jpg)
![IMG_2389.jpg IMG_2389.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/527/527482-6098a54e309ab60098b447e45991e37d.jpg)
I've also heard of folks hooking large(r) (6"?) exhaust pipes up to this. That might be a good option for me when using it to power my house as it will be living under my deck. Input?
![IMG_2390.jpg IMG_2390.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/527/527483-97f221b4db9f34162499ee5628b50a83.jpg)
Anybody mounted a no.co genm2 onboard to keep their batteries charged?
![IMG_2392.jpg IMG_2392.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/527/527484-826bea462bafb20759b3cfd1c676e4b6.jpg)
![IMG_2393.jpg IMG_2393.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/527/527485-d1f5039a1a743e805ef6cbf7dd3fde45.jpg)
Anybody found good fittings to use when hooking up an external source? I'll plumb it to either a 55g metal drum or an IBC of biodiesel.
![IMG_2394.jpg IMG_2394.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/527/527486-62da0e7b907e14929d4e48c3b4502b47.jpg)
And the plate:
![IMG_2395.jpg IMG_2395.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/527/527487-78b948e64c9f3a83cb143557f8ca0657.jpg)
Thank you!
SJ/JD
Been enjoying watching this subforum while the right MEP-802A crossed my path. Well, just recently, that occurred and I now have my own MEP-802A mounted on a M116A3. I don't harbor any delusions that because it's mine it's somehow perfect, but I do think (hope?) I did ok with this purchase.
It's a 2003 unit with 726 hours on the clock. The batteries are presently hooked to my no.co gen2 to see if they can be recovered. They're military contract lead acid Exide units. They're no Hawker 6TLs, but, so far, so good- they 'seem' to be taking a charge for almost 14 hours now. Anybody found AGMs that fit and they like?
It needs coolant, and I want to change the oil/filters. Any input on where to get filters/what oil folks run/what coolant... would be super helpful. Ideally, I'd like to run Delo 400 15w40 diesel formulation in it if possible so that I reduce the variety of oils I keep on hand. And Prestone green coolant seems to be ok for most other applications for me thus far... is that ok in this, too? Does NAPA stock filters? Is there any xfer data published anywhere?
I'm going to drain the diesel from the tank to ensure there's no water in it. Which leaves me with the opportunity to do any related maintenance in that area. Well nut replacement? I've seen people saying that may be overkill? I'm open to ideas? Maybe it's already been done at the depot... what should I look for?
That's about all I can even think to say at this point. Would love it if you guys would take a look at some pics of the genset (trailer pics coming) and hopefully give suggestions:
This first one kept my attention for 800 miles of I40 while dragging it home. For what it's worth, it looks like it last went through a depot in the end of 2017. I know there are some mods (fuses, ...) folks mention - my hope is that this late date encompasses those. And in the storage bins are various TMs and paperwork for long-term storage. That was a relief to find.
![IMG_2383.jpg IMG_2383.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/527/527470-65f78f34a5eee78bd7812e58e95b9a08.jpg)
What struck me when I first opened the engine bay hatch was just how physically small the engine is. I don't know what I was expecting, but this surprised me somehow. I also really like all the thought that went into positioning/access/routing. Having worked on all kinds of equipment that left me wondering "who would design such a thing?!", this was a very welcome sight!
![IMG_2381.jpg IMG_2381.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/527/527471-80aa29f22413b256a26432af7be20b4d.jpg)
Just kind of walking around the genset taking photos of what I could see/get my phone into.
![IMG_2382.jpg IMG_2382.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/527/527472-7806a9cc4929aa15cacd9a4049dda9e7.jpg)
Looking at the lugs on this- what do folks do to terminate stuff here? I'm hoping to come up with a relatively easy way to put some kind of NEMA plug/adapter on here and use a short cord to hook it to a ATS. I'd like to use this approach because it's on a trailer that I'd like to be able to loan to family/friends/disaster relief. Thoughts?
![IMG_2384.jpg IMG_2384.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/527/527473-7e58c98f1fae58467b87357d258cc2d8.jpg)
![IMG_2385.jpg IMG_2385.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/527/527475-6ab71358937248c730296ef8c105db1e.jpg)
I've heard of folks putting bright(er) LEDs into the display panels. Thoughts? I'd love to do red if possible...
![IMG_2386.jpg IMG_2386.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/527/527476-8f23d2c32e98502ab1a095a4f9dff10d.jpg)
![IMG_2387.jpg IMG_2387.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/527/527480-a68e67de9c2ad535ee61646b8f6164ca.jpg)
![IMG_2388.jpg IMG_2388.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/527/527481-3857762a532d9d46818305e2363b9708.jpg)
![IMG_2389.jpg IMG_2389.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/527/527482-6098a54e309ab60098b447e45991e37d.jpg)
I've also heard of folks hooking large(r) (6"?) exhaust pipes up to this. That might be a good option for me when using it to power my house as it will be living under my deck. Input?
![IMG_2390.jpg IMG_2390.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/527/527483-97f221b4db9f34162499ee5628b50a83.jpg)
Anybody mounted a no.co genm2 onboard to keep their batteries charged?
![IMG_2392.jpg IMG_2392.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/527/527484-826bea462bafb20759b3cfd1c676e4b6.jpg)
![IMG_2393.jpg IMG_2393.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/527/527485-d1f5039a1a743e805ef6cbf7dd3fde45.jpg)
Anybody found good fittings to use when hooking up an external source? I'll plumb it to either a 55g metal drum or an IBC of biodiesel.
![IMG_2394.jpg IMG_2394.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/527/527486-62da0e7b907e14929d4e48c3b4502b47.jpg)
And the plate:
![IMG_2395.jpg IMG_2395.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/527/527487-78b948e64c9f3a83cb143557f8ca0657.jpg)
Thank you!
SJ/JD