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Help needed! Mep003a

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WilliamBill

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Been working on an Mep003a that produces high voltage. I’ve diagnosed it to a bad CVT1. The “c1-c2” tests open. I was hoping someone on here could tell me where to find one.
 
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Scoobyshep

Scoobyshep

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Seeing how these are getting in short supply I wonder a couple of things. If there is an off the shelf indirect replacement. Or what it would take to fit one of these sets with a modern AVR.
 
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Ray70

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The SX460 AVR swap has been done before ( Rusty Stud did it probably 10+ years ago )
Craig A Tull also did it here https://www.steelsoldiers.com/threads/civilizing-the-mep-002a.109940/
I've never done it personally, but have been thinking about it lately, now that spare parts supplies are running out.
One thing you will have to do for gaging is to get some aftermarket ammeters with their own CT coils, but otherwise it seems pretty straightforward.
 
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WilliamBill

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Ray70 said:
The SX460 AVR swap has been done before ( Rusty Stud did it probably 10+ years ago )
Craig A Tull also did it here https://www.steelsoldiers.com/threads/civilizing-the-mep-002a.109940/
I've never done it personally, but have been thinking about it lately, now that spare parts supplies are running out.
One thing you will have to do for gaging is to get some aftermarket ammeters with their own CT coils, but otherwise it seems pretty straightforward.
Click to expand...
I’ll definitely look into that. I’d like to keep it original, but finding one of these might prove difficult
 
Scoobyshep

Scoobyshep

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If you are not in need of this right this instant (I have a work trip coming up) I might be willing to buy and upgrade one of mine, freeing up the internals.
 
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WilliamBill

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Guyfang said:
There are a number of things I would do to upgrade the set. They are old, but the main gen and engine are bomb proof. Its the small things that need to be upgraded.
Click to expand...
I agree. Besides the generator controls, associated wiring, and gauges for the modification, if it were you, what else would you be upgrading?
 
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Ray70

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I'd do the SX460, which will eliminate the AC select switch and all the other junk in the AC box.
I'd use a regular AC breaker.
Probably ditch the magnetic fuel pumps and switch to rotary pumps.
Ditch the filter canisters and switch to spin-on filters ( see my signature ) ;)
And IIRC @kloppk makes a better replacement DC voltage regulator.
Ditch the frequency transducer and all the other gages and use digital LCD panel meters
That should get you to a dependable machine that will last a lifetime!
 
Scoobyshep

Scoobyshep

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Ray70 said:
I'd do the SX460, which will eliminate the AC select switch and all the other junk in the AC box.
I'd use a regular AC breaker.
Probably ditch the magnetic fuel pumps and switch to rotary pumps.
Ditch the filter canisters and switch to spin-on filters ( see my signature ) ;)
And IIRC @kloppk makes a better replacement DC voltage regulator.
Ditch the frequency transducer and all the other gages and use digital LCD panel meters
That should get you to a dependable machine that will last a lifetime!
Click to expand...
I think Kurt's regulator wouldn't work here because the original issue is the bad ct
 
Guyfang

Guyfang

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This lists almost all the things I would do.
I'd do the SX460, which will eliminate the AC select switch and all the other junk in the AC box.
I'd use a regular AC breaker.
Probably ditch the magnetic fuel pumps and switch to rotary pumps. (But I would mount two pumps. Flow through, just like the military had. I loved the fact that I always had a plan B with E-Fuel pumps. And unless you want to use the Aux function, I would keep the magnetic fuel pumps, for the Aux fuel system. Keep the one that's hooked up, and the other two as spares.)
Ditch the filter canisters and switch to spin-on filters ( see my signature ) ;) (YES SIR!! and get rid of the water separator! Or add a clear plastic water separator.)
And IIRC @kloppk makes a better replacement DC voltage regulator.
Ditch the frequency transducer and all the other gauges and use digital LCD panel meters
That should get you to a dependable machine that will last a lifetime!

I would also think about steel braided fuel hoses. The price is high, but you will never have a fuel hose go bad in your, or your great grand kids life time. At the end of the day, there is not all that much hose there to replace. Look hard at the fuel tank. If its rusted on the bottom, find a replacement, or have one made. The fuel level cut off switch in the tank, for the Aux system should be looked at hard. TEST IT!!!!!!!! Unless, you are not going to be using that function. If you use that function a lot, I would upgrade to something more modern that the OEM part. It might be older that you. The oil drain hose. Almost all are older than dirt, cracked/leaky.
1767644692738.png
Item 22. This is under the oil filter. What a PITA! Back in the 80's we had our DS metal shop make a few for us. But just a tad longer. It never fails, when you drain the damn oil filter, it made a mess. But this is just my pet peeve.

Look hard at the Vibration isolaters. Make sure the rubber is not cracked.
 
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WilliamBill

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Little update on this project. I’ve decided to go the modernizing SX460 route. This past weekend, I rigged up some sketchy connections and wiring using Craig Tull’s wiring diagram just for proof of concept. Long story short, it works. Now just have to mount the AVR and remove unnecessary parts and rewire my gauges and distribution. Thank you to you all for the help and suggestions.
 
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edgephoto

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I found a replacement CVT1, brand new. I grabbed it for a spare. I have been collecting spares when I find them. If I ever get time to tinker I would consider simplifying and modernizing things but for now I just want to be able to keep it going should it break.
 
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