Paralleling two or more MEP 002A or 003A

[peapvp]

I did this Video Tutorial today. I really don't want to rain on any ones parade, but I thought I might put my 25 cents in on this one.

But there are three ways of doing this:

The wrong way - it somehow works way and a right way of doing this

This Part 1 of 4 - I will do the other parts as time permits.

http://youtu.be/kgR-gEquVqs

 

[derf]

Yeah, you can't lock them in phase, right?

 

[peapvp]

You can, I will show this in part 3 and 4 - but it's tricky

 

[Munchies]

You had me right until digital control. I think thats the BEST way, but the 004-007 are basically using the 'lightbulb' phase sync method and you are instructed to flip the control switch for the contactor. The only difference in my mind between an 002/003 and an 004-007 is that the 004-007 use the control lead between sets to slave the voltage regulators. But how precise is this? Major benefits here being that the slaved VR's can respond with loads being applied and removed keeping the voltage the same.... Good talking points.


edit. watched the rest, you did touch on common control..
If i was going to make one I would add in contactors on both and have the parallel board close it for me for simplicity sake.

 

[LuckyDog]

Dupe Thread:

Sewerzuk already showed how to parallel the 002 and 003:
Here

I can't see the video due to firewall at work. Pics and Videos are always good though.

Just curious, if there are 3 ways to do it, why is there 4 parts?

And are you going to really show the "Wrong Way"?

 

[Munchies]

Not really a dupe. Looks like he is going to get into the tying of field control for two gensets into one VR to keep out V stable.

 

[LuckyDog]

Not really a dupe. Looks like he is going to get into the tying of field control for two gensets into one VR to keep out V stable.

Guess I'll have to tell myself to watch it at home.

(And , I was blown away by Sewerzuk's video)

 

[peapvp]

Thanks for the comments

Here is what we are going to cover in the other Video Tutorial Parts:

Part 2: Theory of synchronizing and locking in the Output Frequencies, discussion of general problems of paralleling Generators with two or more independent Governors

Part 3: Operating both Voltage Controller Boards from one Potentiometer / Rheostat - explaining the wiring changes and parts needed

Part 4: A Simple automatic switch to connect the 2nd(3rd etc) Generator at exactly the right time and modifying the Governor system to assure locked and synced operations, even under heavy load - explanation of circuit, wiring changes and parts needed

each part is going to be between 10 to 20 minutes - that's why I broke this up into four parts

 

[peapvp]

Paralleling two or more MEP 002A or 003A PART 2A

Unfortunately, my batteries went dead 7 minutes into the taping - I will post PART 2B tomorrow.



http://youtu.be/VvVICMubVgk

 

[storeman]

Peter,
You need an automatic charge controller for your camera.
Jerry

 

[Munchies]

You are absolutely correct re the timing and light method, but I think one thing is being overlooked perhaps.
There is a decent amount of wiggle room, and as long as your are more IN phase than out, after flipping your breaker you lock the rotors together effectively. When this happens it will not lock each right where its at, it will violently speed or slow both sets very slightly and lock them perfectly in phase. This is why the military equipped the 004-007 sets with dual phase indication lamps and is done by looking at the lights and flipping a switch to close the main contactor. The slight mismatch in voltage between sets is a much bigger concern, but can be fixed as mentioned by tying the VR's together.

 

[peapvp]

Ok guys here is the conclusion of Part 2 - I hope I can do Part 3 next weekend!


http://youtu.be/s9tRAO_KEeM

 

[peapvp]

I am currently quite busy and the remaining videos will have to wait a couple more weeks.
Thanks

 

[PeterD]

Just to add, I know another MEP-003 user who parallels them. He only does it if he has to, but he can do it. Once paralleled they stay in sync until either the connection is broken or you have some mechanical failure.

 

[peapvp]

OK guys, today I got part 3 done!



http://youtu.be/kX5z49j_W7g

 

[3dAngus]

Just curious, what is the hazard if there is a failure in one of the two MEP-002s.
If the VR went out and voltages fell from 120v to 100v, would this create a house brownout?
Any other risks?

 

[peapvp]

If the VR goes out then the generator will not produce any Voltage anymore. The excite Voltage collapses and that will trip the circuit breaker of the unit which is still running. This situation is not as bad as two gensets paralleled with a small voltage difference. This situation will overheat the lower voltage generator and burn the coil over time (usually several ten's of minutes) without tripping the circuit breaker of the higher voltage genset. See my first video of this series in a post below(above).

 

[peapvp]

I wanted to add the formula on how to calculate the currents flowing in an unbalanced parralled Genst last night, but my sausage fingers were to big for my Android Tablet with it's touchscreen.

So, I am going to post it now from my PC. I like when guys like 3DAngus ask questions.

The internal Resistance of the Generator Coil is 0.1 Ohm for both Units 002A and 003A

I would like to give you the formula based on 3DAngus question about the 120Volt to 100Volt imbalance:

First we subtract the lower Voltage form the Higher Voltage:
120VAC - 100VAC = 20 VAC Differential Voltage

Secondly, now we can calculate the current flow with Ohms Law:

I = U/R where U=20VAC and R=0.1Ohm Internal Resistance

I = 20/0.1 = 200 Amps

This will trip the breaker definetly on the Higher Voltage Generator almost instantaneously - meaning no damage to either Genset

another example:

120VAC - 116VAC = 4VAC

I = 4V/0.1Ohm = 40 Amps

This example will not trip the Circuit Breaker, depending whether or not there is an additional load attached to the paralleled Gensets. Assuming a no external load condition, this paralleled Genset Pair will get damaged within less then 20 minutes of operation due to overheat of the coil.

Again, a small Voltage difference between say 1Volt to 5 Volt will most likely not trip any Circuit Breaker since the Amp Values are to small, but will cause the Coil on the Genset with the lower Voltage to burn out over time.

 

[peapvp]

Original Video Part 1 posted 12.08.2013: Introduction to Paralleling Generators (prim

Back by popular demand. I had inadvertently made changes to my YouTube channel and deleted the 4 videos

This is the original Video Part 1 posted 12.08.2013: Introduction to Paralleling Generators (primarily 002A and 003A)

This was pre-HD......
https://youtu.be/6UuEonP4qAY

I did this Video Tutorial today. I really don't want to rain on any ones parade, but I thought I might put my 25 cents in on this one.

But there are three ways of doing this:

The wrong way - it somehow works way and a right way of doing this

This Part 1 of 4 - I will do the other parts as time permits.

 

[TehTDK]

Going to post the other 3 ?