cuad4u
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- St Matthews, SC
I recently acquired two MEP 701A generators. All I wanted was the trailer they were mounted on, but I could not get the trailer without the generators. Although I have repaired numerous 002A and 003A generators and know them quite well, this is the first time I ever saw a MEP 701A much less tried to work on one.
Both came with broken throttle cables. I understand this is a common problem on these generators. I searched the net and called several of the major MEP generator suppliers, but nobody has a throttle cable and nobody seems to know when (or if) they will have any. I thought about buying a locking, vernier, push-pull throttle cable assembly and trying to modify it, but they are expensive and since nobody locally had one to look at to see if it would work, I thought there may be a better way.
Necessity made me look for an alternate solution, which I found. Many may have already made similar devices, but searching this site and others, I cannot find reference to any. I wish I had the knowledge to post a picture, but I don't. So I will try to explain what I did in words.
First I completely removed the broken throttle cable assembly and discarded it.
Then I went to the local hardware store and bought the following items.
One eye bolt with a 3 inch long threaded shank (eye bolt diameters of 3/16, 1/4, 5/16 inch will probably work). I used 1/4 inch.
One 1/4 inch ID fender washer.
One 1/4 inch ny-lock nut.
12 inch piece of light duty chain (minimum length they would sell) with links that a 1/4 inch diameter eye bolt will pass through.
I cut a piece off the chain 2 links long. You may have to experiment with the length you need.
I put one end of the chain over the "tab" on the spring loaded governor linkage where the center wire of the original throttle was attached.
I put the original washer and snap clip (a small cotter pin will do) back on the "tab" which secured this end of the chain to the governor "tab".
I put the other end of the 2 link chain through the eye of the eye bolt.
I inserted the 1/4 X 3 inch eye bolt through the stationary clamp where the outer sheath of the original throttle cable was anchored and installed the fender washer and the ny-lock nut on the eye bolt.
That is all there is to it and everything bought brand new was about a dollar.
By tightening the ny-lock nut the chain is pulled which pulls the governor linkage which increases engine RPM. This is the exact same "action" that the original (and un-available) vernier throttle cable did. Just turn the ny-lock nut until the engine is running at the proper RPM, which I understand equals 62 Hz on this generator and you are good-to-go.
The only dis-advantage to this set-up is the engine RPM is not as easily or as quickly adjusted as it was with the original vernier throttle cable. So far I do not see where adjustment is required. Set it at 62 Hz and it stays there.
I hope this idea may help others who have these generators with broken throttle cables.
Both came with broken throttle cables. I understand this is a common problem on these generators. I searched the net and called several of the major MEP generator suppliers, but nobody has a throttle cable and nobody seems to know when (or if) they will have any. I thought about buying a locking, vernier, push-pull throttle cable assembly and trying to modify it, but they are expensive and since nobody locally had one to look at to see if it would work, I thought there may be a better way.
Necessity made me look for an alternate solution, which I found. Many may have already made similar devices, but searching this site and others, I cannot find reference to any. I wish I had the knowledge to post a picture, but I don't. So I will try to explain what I did in words.
First I completely removed the broken throttle cable assembly and discarded it.
Then I went to the local hardware store and bought the following items.
One eye bolt with a 3 inch long threaded shank (eye bolt diameters of 3/16, 1/4, 5/16 inch will probably work). I used 1/4 inch.
One 1/4 inch ID fender washer.
One 1/4 inch ny-lock nut.
12 inch piece of light duty chain (minimum length they would sell) with links that a 1/4 inch diameter eye bolt will pass through.
I cut a piece off the chain 2 links long. You may have to experiment with the length you need.
I put one end of the chain over the "tab" on the spring loaded governor linkage where the center wire of the original throttle was attached.
I put the original washer and snap clip (a small cotter pin will do) back on the "tab" which secured this end of the chain to the governor "tab".
I put the other end of the 2 link chain through the eye of the eye bolt.
I inserted the 1/4 X 3 inch eye bolt through the stationary clamp where the outer sheath of the original throttle cable was anchored and installed the fender washer and the ny-lock nut on the eye bolt.
That is all there is to it and everything bought brand new was about a dollar.
By tightening the ny-lock nut the chain is pulled which pulls the governor linkage which increases engine RPM. This is the exact same "action" that the original (and un-available) vernier throttle cable did. Just turn the ny-lock nut until the engine is running at the proper RPM, which I understand equals 62 Hz on this generator and you are good-to-go.
The only dis-advantage to this set-up is the engine RPM is not as easily or as quickly adjusted as it was with the original vernier throttle cable. So far I do not see where adjustment is required. Set it at 62 Hz and it stays there.
I hope this idea may help others who have these generators with broken throttle cables.
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