MEP-004A now only produces power with start/run switch held in start.

[captain]

The last time I ran my mep-004a last summer it ran fine. This spring I converted it to single phase following the instructions in sewerzuk's thread. I gave it a test run today. Starts up fine and volts/hertz come up right away. As soon as you let go of the run/start switch though the voltage/hertz drop off. The convenience outlet shows the same readings at the gauges. If you hold the run/start switch in run it out puts power with the correct volts and hertz. Engine runs fine. I checked the conversion a number of times and it looks correct. I will list what I did just incase I didn't read the conversion thread correctly. Cut the buss bar so only N t10 and t11 are tied. Jumper t12 to t2. Move X8HH16B from t8 to t11. Move X8A16B from t8 to t3. Move X12EG16N from t12 to t13. I also removed the jumper from L0 that connect to the ground lug. It looks like X13BN but was hard to read. Thanks

 

[R Racing]

Is there a relay that latches the field ?

 

[captain]

According to the -34 and some threads I finally found on smokstak it sounds like the problem is in that voltage regulator box. How do you get the cover off that thing? There is no room to get to the screws on the side and there is not enough clearance to get a socket on the bolts holding the box down. If I find something in the box cooked should I be worried there is a problem with the gen? It already has what I assume to be a "new" voltage regulator box on it as it reads "good 30kw" in chalk and my gen is obviously a 15kw.

 

[captain]

I got the box out. Not in a fashion I would prefer. The internals look good though. Nothing is smoked. Capacitors look good. None are bulged or leaking. I am again at a loss.

 

[R Racing]

According to the -34 and some threads I finally found on smokstak it sounds like the problem is in that voltage regulator box. How do you get the cover off that thing? There is no room to get to the screws on the side and there is not enough clearance to get a socket on the bolts holding the box down. If I find something in the box cooked should I be worried there is a problem with the gen? It already has what I assume to be a "new" voltage regulator box on it as it reads "good 30kw" in chalk and my gen is obviously a 15kw.

From what I remember the 30k and 15k share a lot of parts.

 

[captain]

It has always had the unit listed as 30k and ran fine with it. I just don't know why all of a sudden it will no longer produce power unless the switch is held in start.

 

[captain]

Removing ground from L0 should not have had any effect like this correct? I cant read the little diagrams in the manual that well. They are very small and blurry. From what I can tell though everything looks correct as far as the 3-1 phase mod and VR box.

 

[captain]

I put the gen back to 3 phase. All the wires were correct for the single phase mod. The only wire I did not move was x12eg16n as in 3 phase t12 and t11 are electrically the same. It works in 3 phase. So where is the issue? Did someone previously wire something on the reconnection board to the wrong spot where it works in 3 phase but not 1? The only other thing I can think of is that in single phase I disconnected the ground wire from neutral. Does the generator require ground to be bonded to neutral to work? If so then I can not exercise the generator in single phase without it hooked up to the house as I need neutral and ground unbounded at the gen for use with the house.

 

[Brucelee]

Did you figure out the problem
I just reconfigured my mep004a to single phase
Same thing is happening to me but it was also happening before intermittingly

 

[jamawieb]

More than likely the voltage regulator. They are known for failure.

 

[Guyfang]

Agreed. The volt reg. is in the Static Excitor box. The gentleman above who found it hard to get out must have been using one inch impact tools. 1/4 inch ratchet set is about the only thing you need to work on this set. In any case, this is an Excitor problem. Normally, if T1 in the Excitor box is not burnt, it the regulator.