New owner of MEP 802A

Light in the Dark said:

Yes. Does the green light above it come on when you close the circuit, or does it stay off?

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I do see the green light.

So the switch is doing what its supposed to... You are going to want to take the roof off the operator cube and look at the contactor assy for loose collections, corrosion, etc. Its a known problem spot, but typically can be disassembled, deoxidezed, and made to work again (unless waters gotten in).

If you see the green light, then your control part of the output system is working up to the K1 output relay. So, after you take the top off, you need to check the rest of the output system. Start the set. Turn on your S5, (AC circuit interrupter switch). If the green light DS7 light, (Green light for the AC output) comes on, then measure from ground or N, to the AC input wires on K1, the then see if the output side gives you the same readings.

Can I unplug and plug those relays while the unit is running or, do I need to turn the unit off while unplugging them.

Why would you want to unplug them while its running?

Guyfang said:

Why would you want to unplug them while its running?

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To see if plugging them back in does anything. Pretty standard thing to do when troubleshooting something.

I think it's working now. I tapped the top of each of those relays and now I have 120 coming over.

heimlich said:

To see if plugging them back in does anything. Pretty standard thing to do when troubleshooting something.

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Wouldn't it be easier to just take them out and test them on the bench? Apply voltage, watch it work, or not work. Then use a Multi-meter to check if the contacts are properly opening and closing? Pretty standard thing to do when troubleshooting.

Guyfang said:

Wouldn't it be easier to just take them out and test them on the bench? Apply voltage, watch it work, or not work. Then use a Multi-meter to check if the contacts are properly opening and closing? Pretty standard thing to do when troubleshooting.

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That's how you would test them before you throw them out.

The only relay in the row that has anything to dowith the contactor operation is K20 the rightmost one. It provides 24 volts for the contactor control circuit.

I had to use the generator sooner than later.

My neighbor doesn't have electricity. I let him plug into one of my convenience plugs. Since we might be without electricity for a longer period of time I thought I might see what else I can do for them. Can two lines be run off the generator too two different places. How would I do this? Run 220 and send a leg over there and a leg to me or run both off 110?

Well you are limited to 10A through the convenience outlet, so they have to be aware of that. A perfect device for just such an occasion is called a spider box.

https://www.toolup.com/CEP-6532UGMX-Mini-X-Treme-Box-30A-UG-Temporary-Power-Distribution-8-Outlet You could just lop the connector end off, and hard wire it into your machine lugs (or mount another outlet box on the side of your genset, and make short jumper wires from it back to the lugs in the machine).

*Not an Electrician - Not Professional Advice*
As for your power sharing at hand, you have 120V at L1 and L3 if you are running the machine in 240V mode. If they only have 120V requirements right now, you could lop the end off of a heavy duty extension cord, and expose the L/N/G wires and hook up to the lugs with your own wiring. You could do that with two seperate HD cords so they could send power in two different directions. Just be aware of uneven load application on each leg, and overall general *only do this in an emergency situation* vibe of my words above.

Spider boxes are awesome for keeping things tidy, and safe.

For the two legs I was concerned about the uneven load.

Your genset only puts out 6.25KVA... only so unloaded it can become. If they just want to keep the fridge and freezers cold, it will be minimal draw... not enough to really worry about overloading one leg or the other... especially since you aren't running it this way weeks on end. ACs are a whole other ballgame though, and I wouldnt recommend it.

Maybe your neighbor will be convinced a genset is needed in their future.

They are trying to run the fridge on the convenience line. My genset isn't large enough for their house. They have 2 or three home ACs. So even if I could run a line over there I don't know what they could do with it.

I am able to run my window AC units off the genset. It really provides everything I need. These things are wonderful.

Well I think they will be under the 10A trip if they just want to power a fridge. Aren't they wonderful? Worth their weight when you need one, especially for an extended outage.

I think so. That is what they wanted last night.