MEP 002A -- Failure to Shut Down Properly - Steel Soldiers::Military Vehicles Supersite

AndyJ · 12-09-2011, 17:42

I have been using my MEP 002A heavily for the last 3 days due to a primary genset failure. I am offgrid at an oil field.

Yesterday evening, I needed to refuel the MEP 002A and it seemed to wind down slowly when the master switch was set to off.

Just a few minutes ago, I needed to refuel again and it took a good 2 minutes for the generator to finally shut off. The final 30 seconds of runtime were just barely turning over. Pulling the emergency shut off switch had no effect.

Any help would be appreciated.

Keith_J · 12-09-2011, 17:57

The engine shuts off by the solenoid pushing the control lever down, over-riding the governor's spring. Either the spring link is dirty or the solenoid's spring force is weak. Either way, spray some Berryman B12 over the spring link (telescoping link between governor arm and injection pump control lever) and over the control lever to injection pump. This gets dirty, it needs to be clean.

You can shut them down by manually pushing down on the control lever. If the solenoid spring is weak, Generator Parts

And for hot refuel, get a hose with flare fittings and use the Aux. Fuel switch position. If you get the complete remote fuel setup, you can run off a 55 gallon drum for 4 days between fuelings and oil changes

sewerzuk · 12-10-2011, 00:52

x2 what Keith_J said

I have seen the shutoff solenoid mounting screws back off on several occasions; I put red loctite on all of the ones I work on.

The plunger on the solenoid has an adjustable pushrod; I have also seen those back off and not completely shut down the set.

AndyJ · 12-10-2011, 10:20

Thanks guys! Light pressure on the control lever induced the solenoid to operate properly. The entire linkage does need a general cleaning. In the meantime, it is out there chigging away doing what generators do best. I appreciate the help.

glcaines · 12-10-2011, 12:14

Also common is for the solenoid to not move the lever to the on position if the linkage is dirty. If the genset ever fails to start within a reasonable time, make sure the linkage isn't keeping the fuel shut off.

Speddmon · 12-12-2011, 20:40

Dumb question, why are you shutting it down to refuel? Even if you are not using the built in aux. fuel set-up, you will do no damage to the set if you just open the fuel cap and refuel it while it's running.

storeman · 12-12-2011, 20:47

Yah, this ain't gasoline!

derf · 12-12-2011, 23:36

And, don't let it run at anything other than 1800RPM, 60Hz. Anything else could damage things.

AndyJ · 12-13-2011, 15:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speddmon

Dumb question, why are you shutting it down to refuel? Even if you are not using the built in aux. fuel set-up, you will do no damage to the set if you just open the fuel cap and refuel it while it's running.

It is sitting in an M101A2 with the top on. It is way toooooo loud to get inside with the unit running. I also check oil levels and for any leaks while it is shut off.

Speddmon · 12-13-2011, 19:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyJ

It is sitting in an M101A2 with the top on. It is way toooooo loud to get inside with the unit running. I also check oil levels and for any leaks while it is shut off.

Good enough reason. I just couldn't think of a need for shutting it down. Once you trust your set to not leak oil and fuel, you'll just put some ear plugs in and go in there and re-fuel it while running.