military genset need help 4cyl. chrysler 6 hp MEP 016A

[Mac Leod]

I just picked up a military generator, four cylinder 32 Ci 6 hp "mep 016a" mfd. 1976. the engine is now running but the generator gives no power. looking under the cover where all the relays are, there is a "unit" with external threads and a recessed socket. the socket has about 14 pins sticking out...looks almost like it would plug into a radio tube. best I can tell- somthing is missing. any one have any ideas?

thanks for your time and assistance

Mac Leod

[K D Redd]

Mac,

There is nothing missing from the socket. If it has been sometime since this genset has run you may need to flash the field. If you will look under the cover there is a terminal strip on which I think two wires are marked F1 and F2. We have one at the fire station. I will have to check to make sure but I think the terminals are marked 21 and 22 or 22 and 23. I have also over road the govener so the engine would turn more than 3600 RPM which would cause the generator to energize.
The engine is a Military Standard Engine designed by the Army Corps of Engineers. You will see many differing manufactures depending on who won the contract under which the engine was built.

Kent

[Mac Leod]

hello,

I am new to generators- how do you flash the field? for running it over speed, do you just let it wind up or is there any procedure?

Thanks

Mac Leod

[Jim McIntyre]

The 14-pin socket you describe is on the voltage regulator. That regulator was also used on 5 and 10 kW sets, and those used it. On the 3 kW set, such as yours, the connections to the regulator are made via the terminal strip.

I've never seen one of these that needed flashing. Lack of output has usually been due to a bad voltage regulator or rotating diodes. But, flashing is worth a try.

F1 (terminal number 20) is positive. F2 (terminal 21) is negative. With the engine running, connect a battery with the proper polarity across these two terminals for a second. If I were doing it, I'd probably grab a FRESH ALKALINE 9V 'transistor' battery and use that. Others might use a car battery, but it has the potential to cause some trouble, especially if it somehow gets connected backwards. If connecting the 9V battery for a second does not cause the output voltage to come up, something's broke. If it doesn't work, pay attention to whether the output comes up for a second while the battery is connected, then goes back to zero, or if the output never comes up. Monitor the output with an ac voltmeter (use a light bulb if you don't have a meter) as the internal voltmeter may not be working.

For these tests, put the internal phase selector switch to the 120/208 3 phase setting, and take the output from L0 to L1. (L0 is neutral). Also, it's worth a check to be sure the engine is running close to 3600 rpm. At really low speed, the output may not build up properly. Last, I always wear ear protection around these puppies. THEY ARE REALLY LOUD, EH??

Good luck, keep us posted...

[Mac Leod]

the flashing had no effect- there was no output what so ever The engine is running around 3600 rpm. and yes they are loud. what gets me though, why four cylinders for only six horsepower?

thanks

Mac Leod

[Jim McIntyre]

I don't know - seems like an overly complex engine for 6HP. They also had a 1.5 HP 1cyl and a 3HP twin cylinder engine in the family.

Next step for troubleshooting is to disconnect the two field wires (F1 and F2). Got an ohmmeter? check for continuity between them - somewhere around 10 ohms, as I recall. Then, with the wires still disconnected from the terminal strip, connect them to a 12V battery while the set is running.

I'm guessing you'll still have no AC output. Make double sure, though because if you have no AC output, the generator needs to be disassembled, and you don't want to do that if its not needed. (It's also possible that the voltage regulator is bad too, but it's hard to describe how to test it.)

Are you measuring the output from L0 to L1? good. Try L0 to L2, L0 to L3, L1 to L2, well you get the idea. Just make sure there's really NO AC before tearing into the generator. Try giving the phase selector switch a few rotations to clean it up. Make sure your meter's good. Make sure the circuit breaker on the set is 'ON'...

If you DO have AC output, the problem is most likely the voltage regulator and the generator itself is fine.

[John Newman, Jr.]

The way I understand it, the horsepower rating for these engines is made assuming the worst possible conditions - Over 10,000ft altitude, Sub zero or blistering desert temperatures, minimum octane fuel - Extremes possibly faced by the military as they have to be prepared for any circumstances. However, under normal conditions you should be able to reliably count on around double the rated Hp.

[D Pratt]

Most of these power plants run at 1800 RPM if you have a 6 HP engine at 1800 RPM the engine probely will be about 12 HP or more at 3600 RPM the core liked tom build dependablity into their eqpt . to run for years without problems that might be the reason for 4 cyl. there were a lot of small engines in that HP range in the 40's & 50's . the easy way to flash a gen is to use a push button in circut . just push and watch volt meter should start to rise as soon as pushed , soon as voltage starts rising get off button , at should keep going untill it reaches full voltage . hook wires to field POS & NEG 3 volts to 24 volts .

[Wayne 440]

The MEP016A is a 3600rpm unit. They will typically do quite a bit more than 3kw at reasonable temperature and elevation. They also have a healthy appetite for gasoline.

[Jim McIntyre]

Any updates on this Mac? Most likely problem is rotating diodes and you do have to tear into the generator, but it's not too bad, and the parts are cheap.

Jim

[Mac Leod]

HI, I have not torn in to the generator...I do not know that I want to. I think I may want to sell the generator, any thoughts to value?

Thanks

Mac Leod

[peyton]

Originally Posted by Mac Leod

HI, I have not torn in to the generator...I do not know that I want to. I think I may want to sell the generator, any thoughts to value?

Thanks

Mac Leod

I have a mep-016 whose motor ran fine but the voltage would never get off zero. I tore my hair out over it until I *finally* checked the output with a multimeter. Lo and behold, the on-set voltmeter was dead and the output was fine. Just a thought.

Peyton

[Mac Leod]

no go...there is no output voltage. would anyone be interested in buying the generator? <I have other plans for the engine>

Thanks

Mac Leod

[mark kremers]

Originally Posted by Mac Leod

no go...there is no output voltage. would anyone be interested in buying the generator? <I have other plans for the engine>

Thanks

Mac Leod

Hello.

I'm from the Netherlands and have also bought a MEP 016A
from an old militair
Also have a problem with the voltage otput.
The old owner said it worked perfect.
Only a little bit voltage comes from the generator.
I also looked inside , there must be a switch (wich I found).
only that one isn't fastened and no informatioin is on it.
I can switch it in 4 positions.
Did that several time's to remove the dirt , nothing hapened.
Even the volt meter doesn't give any respons.
Maybe for you guys a LITTLE problem?????
Also looking for a manual from this generator.
Can't find anything about such generator here in Holland.
Sorry for my bad english (had it only for 2 years at school)

Greetins from the Netherlands Mark

[mark kremers]

Hi again.

Did become a manual from RICH MC.
Now I know the switch position.
I putt a volt meter on the L1 and L2 outside.
Only 21 volts come's out.
Is it a well known problem??

Mark

[Jim McIntyre]

No, not a well-known problem. 21V is a little odd, usually when there's a voltage problem, the voltage is VERY low - under 2 Volts.

You should check these two things:

Is the engine running at rated speed (3600 rpm)?
How are you measuring the outlut voltage - what meter are you using and where are you connecting it?

[mark kremers]

Don't know how what the rated speed is.
There's nothing where I can see that.
Looks good to me ( i think).
I used a digital voltmeter and put it on the generator outside pinn's L1 and L2
The voltmeter in de generator give's me the same volts as far as I can see.
Also the Hz meter doesn't work ??
Maybe trying a higher speed tomorrow?
Neighbours are not so happy with me , noise making in the weekend.
Can I putt a handle in some position for the exactly rpm's??
Have A nice weekend.

Mark

[K D Redd]

Engine needs to turn 3600 RPM for 60 hz. Yes, at 3600 RPM it is a noisey bugger. Our fire dept has one which I have had running from time to time. HZ meter needs 110 volts to work. I have had to override the govener to turn the engine higher than 3600 to gett the unit the fire dept has to start making voltage.

Kent

[mark kremers]

Have put the switch inside in 3rd position.
Started the generator, after 3 minutes when it was nice warm putting up the rpm.
Then after a few seconds the power came up slowly (yeahhhhh)
Now'it's giving me perfectly 240 volts and a LOT of noise.
Thanks for all your help and time.

Greetings from the Netherlands Mark