Old NAVY 10 kw Genset?

[Chainbreaker]

Stumbled across this 54 yr old Navy Genset & wondering if anybody knows much about it?

It uses a 4-cylinder Mercedes engine and is rated for 10kw 60 Hz 120/308 & "appears" to be switchable 1 or 3 phase (Center Switch & photo #4). Or is that when connected to shore power?

 

[Light in the Dark]

No knowledge, but it looks very interesting.

 

[NDT]

Looking at the pictures, I see that it's 3 phase only. The transfer switch is not a 1 to 3 phase selector. Looks like a USN SEABEE special, not a typical "MEP" type milspec genset.

 

[Chainbreaker]

More photos:

 

[Chainbreaker]

 

[Chainbreaker]

Yeah, whatever it is, its an odd one. Wondering how it was used?

 

[NDT]

Yeah, whatever it is, its an odd one. Wondering how it was used?

SEABEE portable saw mill. Used for barracks construction and everything else the SEABEEs do with wood.

 

[Chainbreaker]

Yeah, noticed the SAW 16" reference but wasn't sure if that referenced a mill saw or some odd reference to a "16" Squad Automatic Weapon" control system lol.

Thanks, that confirms what it is and was used for. Though is a bit confusing seeing 1 phase and 3 phase notations on panel.

 

[NY Tom]

Looks to me like it has 7 single phase 15A 120V connections and one 3 phase connection.

Probably pretty useful on a jobsite.

 

[swbradley1]

By stumbeled across do you mean you saw it somewhere or you bought it? I'm curious if it runs or the guages are just that far off.

 

[Chainbreaker]

By stumbeled across do you mean you saw it somewhere or you bought it? I'm curious if it runs or the guages are just that far off.

Was cruising Craigslist & stumbled across it by searching using "10kw military generator". Asking price is $4k and not what I'm looking for. Regardless that's a pretty lofty price for a genset where parts are going to be hard to locate for a 54 yr old military genset.

I'm standardized on the MEP-002a for my compound needs and as far as my "spare parts stocking" on hand & knowledge of keeping them running. So was looking for a deal on a MEP-003a 10 kw as I will need more power when/if power goes out in summer to run my house AC. I usually cast a pretty wide net to include gensets where someone ends up with a Military Generator and doesn't really understand or know the model etc. and just know it's a military 10 kw generator...

Good eye on the gauges... I don't think it was running and the Hertz & Voltage meter gauges appear to be stuck in those positions. Also, judging by the exhaust its been wet stacked as seen from the black ooze that apparently dripped out of muffler and across the exhaust manifold.

Though if anyone is interested shoot me a PM & I'll let you know where its located. Hint... located West Coast-ish state that has legalized gambling among other things.

 

[Ray70]

Looks to me like it has 7 single phase 15A 120V connections and one 3 phase connection.

Probably pretty useful on a jobsite.

According to the breaker configuration and plug numbering there's an 8th 15A 120 outlet somewhere as well the "SAW" connection I assume ( Two 3 phase breakers at the top )
But for $4000 I think I'll pass....

 

[Chainbreaker]

Also, its advertised as only 6 hrs on the Hobbs & does show that on the meter clearly in the CL ad and states that paint has not burned off exhaust manifold... However, given the overall condition of the unit & trailer perhaps it had an engine replacement that only has 6 hrs on it or Hobbs meter failed & was replaced? Though with a genset that old I doubt anyone could vouch for its history.

 

[2Pbfeet]

@Chainbreaker A 16" radial arm saw is going to need a pretty substantial motor. I have seen a number of that size and vintage radial arm saws with five and ten HP motors on them, always three phase. That is scary powerful in my book.

SOLD Used Radial Arm Saw - Walker Turner - 16 Inch

Used Walker Turner Radial Arm Saw - 16 Inch, with 1926 patent, available from Woodworking Machinery Man, a woodworking machinery distributor in metro-Atlanta, GA, serving wood, plastics, composites & aerospace industries, nationwide.

www.preownedwoodworkingmachinery.com

There's an eBay listing for an ex-military 16" saw, but I can't read the motor HP...

NEW Delta Military Spec Radial Arm Beam Saw 16” Blade Model 88-036 PLEASE READ!! | eBay

This is a military spec Delta Radial Arm saw I bought many years ago. It was used but had been in storage for years. I decided to make it look like new and had many of the parts powder coated. I ended up only getting partially done with it and never finished the powder coating on all the parts...

www.ebay.com

I wonder if the 120/208 confusion might be that 208 three phase gives the operator the option of three sets of 120V hot to neutral sources of power.

And, yes $4k seems wildly out for the generator, but perhaps it comes with the saw, too?

Interesting find- thanks for sharing it.

All the best,

Pbfeet

 

[swbradley1]

Cool that it's that old but not cool that it is that old as well. While I'm older than that and still work (mostly) I suspect a better place for that generator is the SEABEEs museum.

 

[Chainbreaker]

Here is the trailer its mounted on. If it was originally mounted on this trailer, paint & patina seem to match genset age etc., perhaps the 16" Radial Saw was positioned aft of the genset and sat on trailer. The two rearward facing work lights would seem to support that type of configuration.

Also, a shot of the old Hobbs meter.

Anyway, an interesting genset that I had never seen before.

 

[NY Tom]

According to the breaker configuration and plug numbering there's an 8th 15A 120 outlet somewhere as well the "SAW" connection I assume ( Two 3 phase breakers at the top )
But for $4000 I think I'll pass....

Maybe the 8th circuit is for the receptacles on the front of the unit?

 

[2Pbfeet]

If you want to see these sort of saws (not on a generator) look like from WWII, DeWalt has an old promotional video;

I caneasily imagine SeaBees setting up a similar, though perhaps smaller operation with it.

All the best,

2Pbfeet

 

[Chainbreaker]

Thats a very cool video! Love those old video's that capture that era. I could imagine that type of saw sitting on the back end of that trailer. Mobil saw moved to various jobsites as required.

BTW, "Ft Lewis" that was mentioned early in video is just up the road in Washington state.

 

[2Pbfeet]

I've driven by Ft. Lewis. Pretty area! I've driven by many of the locations in the video, actually. I enjoy seeing the history.

All the best,

2Pbfeet