MEP-831a Troubleshooting

Ok more progress and almost there !!! It was a wet day so I decided to pull the inverter . You could tell it had been pulled before from loose and missing hardware . When I went to disconnect p16 it almost fell off. Tried to put it back on but it wouldn't click or seem to stay on? when I looked at the inverter the rubber seal around the connector wouldn't let the connector slide on far enough to click. So I figured why I had it out Id take it apart clean and check everything . Well let me tell you ! The housing around it could survive a drop from the top of the empire state building !! After much tinkering I was able to get it apart . Cleaned it and dried it well. Check the fuses they were fine. checked everything I could put my meter on, all looked good! It appears its a very heavy built unit. While pulling it apart I found the door switch jammed, So it thought the door was open. Plugged it back up and mounted it and 224 VAC now and 113 VAC at the outlet I plugged a small heater in the outlet. it didn't take long to trip the overload CB10 I believe. But it reset after a min. Next issue is no power to the main terminals. The switch on the front panel checks out. But the main contactor doesn't seem to be latching ? I also May need to replace the starter contact as well as it clicks sometimes. but the starter doesn't seem to always engage. Thanks for every ones help !! and if you have any suggestion's please chime in !!

Thats great news.

When you flip the output switch to "Close" does the power contactor close but opens when you let go of the switch?

I don't feel the contactor move but it could be. It was raining so hard I was trying to be careful of what all I was grabbing lol. I'll see if I can get a second set of hands to be certain.

Just snug the lug down on your VOM leads in there so you don't have to hold them then flip the switch.

Great suggestion !! Thank you ! I

Well went out today to troubleshoot the relay for power output not working. And it works now. Lol . So if anyone has a idea where I can get a overload unit for the 110v recepitical. Please let me know. So now on to the second unit. Till the new voltage adjust pot shows up. Thanks for everyone's help. Now let's see what suprises the next 1 will have! Lol

What is wrong with the GFI for the outlet?

The little black box on the right of the outlet trips at the lightest loads. I believe it may be on its way out.

Is the generator grounded? Make sure its not damp. They don't like that at all.

Maybe that's the issue? But it trips at 500 watts . I don't have it grounded. It was damp out. But what I plugged it into was dry as could be.

I should have asked how it tripped.. Was it the overload or the GFI? You have to reset the overload manually via the little button on the top.

Dampness won't have as much affect on over current. Only on GFI trips. Those reset on the front buttons.

It was the overload on the back top side of the black box. The gfi never tripped. I used the same small heater on my mep 531a and it works great. But even on low (500 watts ) it trips the overload.

Ok. Ignore my last thoughts then. It's more likely a bad trip unit.

Is it a available unit ?

Good question. I'll have to look around some. Even if it isn't a solution can be had.

Hm. Its not an off the shelf part.

I couldn't find a part number in the TM for it. I'll look tomorrow and see if there is a part # on it.

From the TM.

Interrupter, Ground Fault (PN: 19541, VPN:29410)

Technology Research Corporation (TRC)
5250 140th Avenue North
Clearwater, FL 33760
Attention: Marge Matson or Ray Wood
Phone: 727-535-0572, ext. 327
Fax: 727-535-4828

The MFG has 20 amp units on its website.

http://www.trci.net/products/shock-shield/panel-mounts

That 1 unit looks a lot like the 1 on the Gen. I'll have to call them Monday. I did a internet search but didn't find that 1. Thanks much Chris !!