I am now looking at several MEP-003A gensets that are "within striking distance" of me and was wondering, how many of these sets look good on an inspection, turn over, but have major issues when you get them home?
I am thinking of getting 2-3 of them (need 2, if the price is right, a 3rd would be nice for parts), but am wondering how likely it is that they will work without major repairs.
I am leaning towards getting a pair of gensets on a trailer as having another trailer (or the frame of one) around the farm would be useful
The current options I am exploring are:
Get 2 gensets, rent a uhaul trailer and pick them up (towing with my station wagon)
Get 2 gensets on an M103-A3, rent a flatbed car hauler trailer to carry it home (towing with a E350 Diesel van)
Get 2 gensets (either on an M103-A3 or "loose") and a 3rd one for parts, rent a flatbed car hauler trailer (towing with a E350 Diesel van)
Any pitfalls I should look out for? It appears that if I got the gensets on the trailer, I would probbaly need to get an EUC (which could lead to parts getting pilfered while that is being cleared)
Look at the wiring closely, make sure there are no melted wires. Under the cover with the glow plugs, And in the contol box. Look for major blowby coming from the oil fill ( normally there is some, but not tons) Look at oil pressure 25 + is good after its warmed up. Don't idle the engine long or you could damage the voltage regulator.
their a crapshot. while if you can inspect thats great you might save some greif. i never looked any of mine over, the drive was to great. ive purchached 8 gen. from gl havnt got an unrepairable one yet, but ive read stories here that didnt go so well. most of the repairs ive made were because of neglect and age and nothing major (bad motor or gen). dont forget to look at gsa also the equipment isnt as nice but they go for less and dont require the 10% buyers premium. i dont think an euc applys anymore. as far as you options your going to have to wait and see what you get. the deal might be on one that doent have a trailer it just depends on what out their at the time. good luck
There was a message thread here a few months ago about the success rate in buying generator from GL, one thing noted that many people that bought two generators mounted on a trailer ended up with one runner and one non-running parts machine. I have bought 3 generators from GL all now run, only 1 was a runner after adding oil and fresh battery, none required major work, one needed a new $300 control circuit board to run at all, smoked a little, and needed injection pump rebuilt ($700) to run right still $4,000 for a generator model that usually sells for $15,000 on ebay is not bad, particularly when it was 10 miles away.
I was 2 for 2 on dead Gens. 1 had a locked up engine (MEP-005a). the other had a melted wiring harness and toasted starter (MEP-003a) the MEP-003a runs now, and I found a replacement engine for the MEP-005a but havent done the swap yet.
I'm like 10 for 10. Most have been 3kW Diesels, though. One 003A runs but has crusty fuel tank and bad DC charging stator. Most just needed fuel system flush and minor repair like a cable or something. One had fuel and oil, but no battery, and fired up immediately.
100% success here but that's only with one MEP-701a. It still needs a 24v battery to be really portable but I'm not moving it around so it's no biggie to use any two 12v batteries lying around here. The large cover on the fuel tank end of it is missing but I knew that from the GL pics, otherwise it's a good running & looking genset...
Suggestion: READ the manuals before fooling with gensets, they have expensive parts and can kill you too.
Delks has rebuilt IP`s for mep003a`s for $400 or $475 if you keep the core which I recommend. During engine checkout keep cowling in place otherwise the air cooled engine will overheat and shutoff after approx 5 mins running time and you have to wait a couple hours for cooldown before it will restart. Just experienced that today. A floor fan directed towards the engine helps.
Thanks
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Delks has rebuilt IP`s for mep003a`s for $400 or $475 if you keep the core which I recommend. During engine checkout keep cowling in place otherwise the air cooled engine will overheat and shutoff after approx 5 mins running time and you have to wait a couple hours for cooldown before it will restart. Just experienced that today. A floor fan directed towards the engine helps
I will put that in the list of things to check watch out for.
Quote:
Originally Posted by abh3
Suggestion: READ the manuals before fooling with gensets, they have expensive parts and can kill you too.
But reading the manuals takes all of the fun out of it
Quote:
Originally Posted by Isaac-1
There was a message thread here a few months ago about the success rate in buying generator from GL, one thing noted that many people that bought two generators mounted on a trailer ended up with one runner and one non-running parts machine.
Good to know.
For those who have bought trailer mounted gensets, from what I have seen, it appears that I would be best served by renting a trailer for $75-150 rather than towing a questionable trailer back being as I would not have spare tires.
Am I thinking correctly? Just looking at a tow bill vs trailer rental makes a trailer rental look worthwhile (not counting the hassle of getting towed and trying to find MV parts at o-dark-thirty on a weekend).
Working MEP Gensets on GL?
It still needs a 24v battery to be really portable but I'm not moving it around so it's no biggie to use any two 12v batteries lying around here. The large cover on the fuel tank end of it is missing but I knew that from the GL pics, otherwise it's a good running & looking genset... 
