Just bought a few diesel inverter generators

cdre
cdre Solar Expert Posts: 78 ✭✭
in Off Grid Solar & Battery Systems #1
Been watching them for a while and just won the auction last night. Won several 3kW diesel generators from one of the military surplus auctions. Piked them up at between 100 and 400 hours of use. Cost between 350 and 420 each. Of course, no guarantees on surplus equipment. Info on them here: http://www.drspowersolutions.com/en/home/OurProducts/GeneratorSets/MEP-831/default.html

Basically a Yanmar single cylinder engine driving a permanent magnet generator at variable speeds between 3,000 and 3,600 RPM. Outputs to an inverter which regulates to 240 or 120v. Control and starting circuits are 24v, but I'll try to figure out how to make them run with an auto start system via some relays.

Pretty cool little units. I'll give a report when I pick them up.
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Comments

  • stephendv
    stephendv Solar Expert Posts: 1,571 ✭✭
    #2
    Re: Just bought a few diesel inverter generators

    Those look like fantastic units and practically new with only 400 hours. On this side of the pond, normal gensets with 2 pole alternators using the Yanmar L70 engine go for at least $1800 USD.

    Given yours have variable speed control and inverters and built for .mil, you've practically stolen them at that price ;)
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  • softdown
    softdown Solar Expert Posts: 3,895 ✭✭✭✭
    #3
    Re: Just bought a few diesel inverter generators

    Yes, you can really score on government surplus equipment if you have storage. Looks like you did very well.
    First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with  FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries
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  • cdre
    cdre Solar Expert Posts: 78 ✭✭
    #4
    Re: Just bought a few diesel inverter generators

    Called to arrange pickup. The guy said they were all up for sale because the military is overstocked on them right now. He pulled the string on a few of them and said they all had compression. Said he just received another 40+ and the new process is that they will have to verify all generators are running before selling them. Likely a few months before the next batch makes it into an auction though.
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  • Photowhit
    Photowhit Solar Expert Posts: 6,006 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #5
    Re: Just bought a few diesel inverter generators

    Sweet deal! looks like they have the military plug for 24v, wonder if it's input or output or both!

    Might I ask where FOB is?
    Home system 4000 watt (Evergreen) array standing, with 2 Midnite Classic Lites,  Midnite E-panel, Magnum MS4024, Prosine 1800(now backup) and Exeltech 1100(former backup...lol), 660 ah 24v Forklift battery(now 10 years old). Off grid for 20 years (if I include 8 months on a bicycle).
    - Assorted other systems, pieces and to many panels in the closet to not do more projects.
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  • CDN_VT
    CDN_VT Solar Expert Posts: 492 ✭✭✭
    #6
    Re: Just bought a few diesel inverter generators

    Much reading is required for these :

    "the small 3KW diesel powered military generators have rope pull starters and Onan ... around 3 gallons an hour to operate while that military one may need 10 gallons. ... elements until it turns into an absolute pile of ****, and THEN it is sold at auction."


    http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?112042-Bad-Military-Surplus-Generator-Advice-Online


    VT
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  • cdre
    cdre Solar Expert Posts: 78 ✭✭
    #7
    Re: Just bought a few diesel inverter generators

    Photowit, I bought these ones in Albany GA from govliquidation.com. The 24v NATO plug is so you can easily jump start it should the battery be dead. Everything in the military from equipment to pickup trucks have that plug.

    VT, The quote you listed references another generator, the MEP016. It's a 3kw gen that is powered by an old Onan diesel engine. Tough to find parts for those. The ones I bought are models in service today. The civilian model closest to this one is the Yanmar YDG3700. Same engine but it runs at a constant 3600 RPM (not inverter). Mfg states .27 gph. Cost is $3,500. I imagine consumption of these generators (based on being the same engine) will be around the same. The military is getting rid of a lot of equipment used downrange - hence these being overstocked. They were all properly preserved (sealed with tape), so I'm fairly confident I didn't buy complete junk.

    I guess I'll find out the truth when I pick them up next week...
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  • cdre
    cdre Solar Expert Posts: 78 ✭✭
    #8
    Re: Just bought a few diesel inverter generators

    Had a few minutes to play with the generators today. Tinkered with 3 of them. They run on 24v batteries so I picked out 2 motorcycle batteries that when put side by side will fit and can be run in series for 24v. Realized after the fact they need to be charged.... Luckily the generators have a pull start (with a compression relief valve). Peeled off some of the protective aluminum tape, put a quart of oil in and provided fuel from a small external tank (rather than filling the 4 gallon internal tank). All of them primed up and started within 5 pulls. Of the 3, 1 has 60 hrs and 2 have fewer than 200. I'll get the batteries charged up this week and hopefully mess with the other 4 this upcoming weekend. Pretty pumped!
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  • CDN_VT
    CDN_VT Solar Expert Posts: 492 ✭✭✭
    #9
    Re: Just bought a few diesel inverter generators

    nice hours , your lucky ,, most don't win as yourself .
    So three ,, I need to purchase one from you !

    Pu in Belize ?

    VT
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  • Photowhit
    Photowhit Solar Expert Posts: 6,006 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #10
    Re: Just bought a few diesel inverter generators
    CDN_VT wrote: »
    nice hours , your lucky ,, most don't win as yourself .
    So three ,, I need to purchase one from you !

    I may have another contract job in Florida the end of May, maybe you'd like to start a list of possible sales...
    Home system 4000 watt (Evergreen) array standing, with 2 Midnite Classic Lites,  Midnite E-panel, Magnum MS4024, Prosine 1800(now backup) and Exeltech 1100(former backup...lol), 660 ah 24v Forklift battery(now 10 years old). Off grid for 20 years (if I include 8 months on a bicycle).
    - Assorted other systems, pieces and to many panels in the closet to not do more projects.
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  • cdre
    cdre Solar Expert Posts: 78 ✭✭
    #11
    Re: Just bought a few diesel inverter generators

    I actually have 7. It was a 13 hr drive getting them from the storage depot to my current home in VA. With flight and truck rental, needed to spread the costs out. Once I test them all, I'll probably keep 3 and sell 4.
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  • CDN_VT
    CDN_VT Solar Expert Posts: 492 ✭✭✭
    #12
    Re: Just bought a few diesel inverter generators

    Well you see our Avatars , PM us when ready.

    VT
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  • cdre
    cdre Solar Expert Posts: 78 ✭✭
    #13
    Pretty happy about the purchase. Of 7 gensets, 4 started and took a 3kw load with no issues. Of the other 3, I have one that runs rough because of a bad headgasket, one that probably has a bad generator head and one that puts out full power but needs some governor controller adjustments to stabilize the throttle a little. At 350 - 400 each, I can't complain one bit. Keeping the 4 good ones and as i get time I'll tinker with the remaining 3 to get them up and running. I'll likely sell on CL and PM a few of you here.

    Plan is going to be to put together a means of remote starting and integrating with a Radian or something along those lines. A small diesel variable speed generator should be absolutely perfect for that.

    Pic below which gives you an idea of the layout. Single cyl yanmar engine on the right, permanent magnet generator head in the middle and inverter on the left. Super quiet with the cover closed.

    Attachment not found.
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  • Photowhit
    Photowhit Solar Expert Posts: 6,006 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #14
    I don't expect you to give these away, please do PM me when you get things ready, May trip didn't happen as I had expected so I'm heading down for my nephews graduation from USF end of April back through first couple days of March.(I went to FSU I keep telling him he's a little backwards!)
    Home system 4000 watt (Evergreen) array standing, with 2 Midnite Classic Lites,  Midnite E-panel, Magnum MS4024, Prosine 1800(now backup) and Exeltech 1100(former backup...lol), 660 ah 24v Forklift battery(now 10 years old). Off grid for 20 years (if I include 8 months on a bicycle).
    - Assorted other systems, pieces and to many panels in the closet to not do more projects.
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  • inetdog
    inetdog Solar Expert Posts: 3,123 ✭✭✭✭
    #15
    Photowhit wrote: »
    ... from USF end of April back through first couple days of March.(I went to FSU I keep telling him he's a little backwards!)
    Or maybe you are just being CDO (that's OCD with the letters in alphabetical order the way they should be.)

    SMA SB 3000, old BP panels.
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