Ok, so I am prepared for the flood of replies like "use the Search button", "Download the TM's" , "If you own it you should know how to work on it", etc, I have done all of the above ,but I still have some stupid questions. My Troop has just bought an MEP-016D. It starts and runs fine (the engine), and thats about as far as I can go. I know absolutely nothing about Electricity other than I need it. I've read enough to know that I can't figure it out by myself. We have a week long camp coming up in a few months and we want to use it to run a few lights, a small chest type freezer, and maybe a medium size fan. Of course we won't have to run it 24 hours a day. My questions concern how do I test this thing to make sure it works right (without electrocuting myself) , what positions do the switches need to be in ( I think single phase, 120 volt, 60 Hz), How far can I run cords, and what size do they need to be (we want if far enough away from camp to be able to hear ourselves think), and any other questions or problems that anyone can add. The MKT I've got figured out, but the generator, I'm clueless. Any help would be appreciated.
Well, I have recently acquired a surplus MEP016D and have been sorting through some of the same things you are talking about. First, put a decent multimeter on it to test voltage and hz against the guages to make sure they are accurate. Read the directions with the multimeter for those procedures. For the fan, and probably the lights, you can use the convenience outlets on the side. The freezer, well that may require a few more amps than those fuses are good for. There is plenty of power coming off L1 and L2 posts on the back, but you need to wire it into something useful, like an outlet. Seek help for that if the freezer is mandatory. After you have verifies the guages, or have a way to check the output, just give the cord a pull and plug your ears. Oh, and don't forget a grounding rod to stick in the ground attached to the ground post on the side of the generator frame. Hope that helps!
You have a MEP-016D which is a MEP-016a or c that has been retrofitted with a Yanmar diesel
I don't have any hands own experience with this model, however I do own a close cousin to it, a MEP-016b / MEP-701a which has an Onan diesel, so hopefully most of this should transfer over fairly close, I am sure someone here will correct me on minor differences.
First of all for your use you want to make sure to set the generator for 120V single phase only, this is done on my unit with a selector switch inside the control panel (don't confuse this with the voltage meter selector knob), in 120V single phase mode you will have access to the full output of the generator in one line to line connection and will not have to worry about load balancing and you will be less likely to burn it out.
Next you need get someone that knows about electricity to wire up a distribution box with breakers and outlets for you (this can be done with about $50 in parts from any hardware store, a small outdoor rated breaker box with a pair of 15-20 amp breakers, and a couple of weatherproof outdoor outlets in boxed screwed to it , as these generators have connection lugs, not outlets to connect major loads to. (the front panel outlets can only output a fraction of the power that it can generate, and do not show up on the load meter)
Extension cords need to be sized by length and number of amps being drawn, if your 100 feet away you would probably want to connect things with a pair of 100 ft. 12GA extension cords each with about half the load connected to it, 10GA would be better, but are a lot more expensive.
Also to lower the risk of being shocked, make sure to drive a ground rod and connect it to the generator ground as shown in the tech manual.
There are probably 50+ more things you need to know to be safe, but it is hard to guess what they are without knowing more details
100 feet, 20 amps load = one 10 ga. cord. But a 100 ft 10GA cord is HEAVY. I use 50 ft 10GA to run power to my pantry trucks. In that application it will handle 25-30 amps without significant voltage drop (less than 2 percent). Another thing to consider - try pointing the generator exhaust away from camp, which will lower the perceived volume a couple of decibels.
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Mike KK4AIF
M109A3 Shop Van (G4-3
M35A2 Cargo Truck (G4-39)
S-280 Commo Shelter (bunk house on M-36)
MKT-85 Kitchen Trailer (G4-T1)
M36A2 Cargo Truck (G4-40)
2nd M35A2 Cargo Truck (G4-41)
2nd M109A3 Shop Van (G4-42)
M105 Trailer (G4-T2)
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Isaac-1,I haven't been able to find a TM for the "D" model, but what your saying Issac is that other than the engine, It's a "A" or "C" model? Thanks for the info
Storeman, I appreciate the help, but thats what I'm talking about, I have no idea what "flash the field" means.
SCSG-G4, I have some electrical cords from a light set I picked up at tlc (see pic) I don't know what size they are but I'll check. I let the idea about the distribution box, I'll check into that.
Flashing the field is turning the start control to start again for a couple seconds. It sends a shot of 24v to the generator field to get it producing power. You do this if the meters dont come up after you throttle up. Also, if this unit is like the MEP-002A dont run it at idle with no load you will damage voltage regulator.
More pics of the controls of the unit maybe helpful in walking you through the set up too.
Yes, the manuals for a MEP-016a or c should cover all the details you need to know about the generator end, controls, etc., as the MEP-016d is simply an a or c where the gasoline engine has been removed and retrofitted with a 1 cylinder Yanmar diesel. The MEP-016b like I have, or its Yanmar upgrade the MEP-016e are somewhat different, with a different frame, control panel, etc.
Ike
p.s. I guess since the MEP-016d is a conversion project there seems to be some variation in how they are set up like differences in the engine paint, fuel tank, and if they get onboard batteries for electric start.
sewerzuk would probably have most (if not all) of the info you need.
And others. Ike, Gary, Keith and Tom to name a few.
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Generators for Dummies
