MEP 002a/3a + sx460 avr

[metalworker393]

Hello and how is everybody doing. Okay, so I saved this drawing and this is what Im trying to do with my 003a . The machine quit making power years ago and im trying to resurrect it from the dead. The engine ran pretty good the last time I started it. No telling if the hour meter is accurate, but it ran pretty strong and had good oil pressure.
I found where a screw on the voltage selection knob had toughed the distribution box. I dont know if it caused a problem with the AC alternator but it wouldnt make power. So I started this adventure into trying to modify it as the drawing im attaching.
Years ago a guy named craig Tull did a mod where he used a sx 460 commercial AVR and did away with all the extra parts. His post was in 2013 , Civilizing your MEP002A.
Now I have the drawing and I would like to know, can somebody explain this to me. I am not an electrician and dont understand the drawing totally. I am wondering why he is using CT1 CT2. Is that just so he can use the factory meters? If so I plan on installing commercial meters If I can get it to work. The other option is to install a comercial 164D alternator and strip it down to the minimum amount of electrical components. Thanks, metalworker393

 

[Ray70]

You are almost correct. The CT1 and CT2 in Craig's case is not the original CT/CVT-1 assembly for the OEM gages, I believe they are aftermarket current transformers needed to drive 2 aftermarket Ammeters.
They are simply coils placed around the hot legs leading to your AC outlet, these coils typically come with new ammeters the meters when you buy them.

 

[metalworker393]

Okay thank you. I wasn't sure but I thought that he may be referring to them as generic transformers.
If I can get this to work, I'm looking at aftermarket gauges that use a slip ring .
I have no use for the 3 phase wiring and this will be set up as a dedicated 220v 1 phase.

 

[metalworker393]

The CT 1 and CT2 transformers that were in the bottom of the connection box , the plastic was broken up pretty good . I was hoping I wouldn't have to use them again. And I'm not sure if they are even working. ( I'm not that electric savvy but I'm trying )

 

[Ray70]

Despite the housings being cracked and broken, the coils themselves are often still OK, but it's much simpler to ditch the entire control and monitoring system and the breaker and just rewire as dedicated 120/240 single phase, use the SX460 ,get new gages and use a regular circuit breaker panel.
It should make the machine bullet proof and user friendly.
And just think how much lighter the machine will be to move around!

 

[metalworker393]

Despite the housings being cracked and broken, the coils themselves are often still OK, but it's much simpler to ditch the entire control and monitoring system and the breaker and just rewire as dedicated 120/240 single phase, use the SX460 ,get new gages and use a regular circuit breaker panel.
It should make the machine bullet proof and user friendly.
And just think how much lighter the machine will be to move around!

These are my connections and I stripped everything out that I think I won't be needing

 

[2Pbfeet]

Just something to keep an eye on, but, IIRC, those Polaris splices are rated to 90C and the TGGT wire is rated to something like 250C or so. I suspect that they will be ok, but I would "trust but verify" as they say.

All the best, 2PbFeet

 

[Chainbreaker]

Definitely going to follow your progress on this as I have a MEP-002a box that was damaged (mouse house) that I replaced with another spare one I had on hand. I had planned to "eventually" repair the damaged one assuming I could, however this seems like a better approach to just retrofit it with the SX460 AVR.

Thanks for the photos! It will help myself & others replicate a SX460 AVR retrofit repair!

 

[Guyfang]

I would not toss the parts away. Someone else might need them.

 

[metalworker393]

I would not toss the parts away. Someone else might need them.

I wish I didn't have to, but when I was moving I had to get rid of a bunch of 002/3 parts. It was painful but I was losing my mind trying to juggle everything.

 

[metalworker393]

So I'm not an electrician, nor an electronics person either . So here's a question- field flashing the generator.
On the A4 board there is a long resistor and if I'm correct it's used in the field flash correct?
So even with an SX 460 AVR, should I put the A4 board back in and wire it in so as I'm cranking it it's flashing the field?
I don't know if that's on Craig Tulls drawing/schematic

 

[metalworker393]

Here's what the 2 transformers look like

 

[Ray70]

I've used the sx460 on a couple other smaller machines and did not need to add anything additional for field flashing, but if the machine was to sit for a long time you might find it necessary.
You could simply add a momentary switch to send a little voltage to the generator if you ever needed to, rather than wire in A4
You only really need 9-12V to flash it.

 

[metalworker393]

Okay . May be asking for advice on how to wire that in .