Picked up a 10KW Military Surplus Generator

[TractorGuy]

Parts are easy to come by on flee bay. These Gen sets use lister petter/Onan engines. They are far more technical than the old MEP Gen sets. That said - they are much more quiet. Gov liquidations is good source for items, but be sure that you know what you are getting yourself into.

I will have to invest about $400 in fluids, filters, and batteries just to see if this unit runs. I have read at least one account where a guy bought one of these and found out they had been using the unit as a parts source. It had all it's parts but the bad/broken items were put back in place with loose fasteners. I hope not to have such surprises but haven't done anything beyond pulling it out of my truck so far.

The documents container on my unit only had the reset maintenance documents. They were in a sealed zip lock bag that had about 2 cups of water in it. Condensation I guess. I have peeled all the documents apart and dried them but some of the information will be illegible. I haven't read any thing that indicates a new engine or replacement of the hour meter so maybe it is reading the correct hours. The final test info is readable and looks good so I hope to have a runner.

 

[Garandman]

Where do you get parts for it?

There are quite a few outfits that specialize in these units.

Your Source for Military Diesel Generators! - Green Mountain Generators will sell you a refurbed unit if you don't want to take a chance. A lot of people who heat with oil get them in these parts, they're an incredible bargain.

Why do we specialize in these units? The answer is simple: The average person or company can not hope to afford the cost of a high-quality diesel generator rated for continuous use. New, these units can cost in excess of $15,000 when you add up all of the features and options that come standard on our generators. Simply put, these units are bomb proof and the best money can buy! They are the most durable, field-maintainable and dependable generators made.

 

[ovrszd]

In 2003 my Company deployed into Iraq. My HQ and 1st Platoon lived on a 15KW similar to this one for 4 months. Only shut it off to change engine oil. Sucked fuel out of an old water tank we scrounged. That Generator was our lifeblood. Only breakdown we had was a vibration crack in the oil pan after a couple months of running. Engineer unit nearby came and welded it on the engine. Back in service!!!!

 

[George2615]

I will have to invest about $400 in fluids, filters, and batteries just to see if this unit runs. I have read at least one account where a guy bought one of these and found out they had been using the unit as a parts source. It had all it's parts but the bad/broken items were put back in place with loose fasteners. I hope not to have such surprises but haven't done anything beyond pulling it out of my truck so far.
The documents container on my unit only had the reset maintenance documents. They were in a sealed zip lock bag that had about 2 cups of water in it. Condensation I guess. I have peeled all the documents apart and dried them but some of the information will be illegible. I haven't read any thing that indicates a new engine or replacement of the hour meter so maybe it is reading the correct hours. The final test info is readable and looks good so I hope to have a runner.

All the Gov't auction sites I've looked at tell whether they run and show a checklist of things such as oil pressure and other gauges and anything they know of that's wrong. Didn't you check the online site before buying? All previous sales I saw of running units were sold more around the 2K price. I hope you got a runner and not a parts machine.

 

[justinramani]

You are confusing govliquidation with govplanet. Govliquidation never guarantees that anything will work.

 

[George2615]

You are correct. I just looked up a few liquidation auctions. I didn't know at the liquidation auctions they drain all the fluids, remove oil filters, and remove the batteries to make them useless. Seems kinda senseless for buyers not knowing if your getting a running gen set or a piece of scrap steel. Also affects the prices they get for them. That's our Gov't in action.

At least govplanet online ads you can hear the running models run, see some of the gauges working and get a write up of what they found including noted defects. I guess that's why I don't do Gov't liquidation sales. I've worked too hard for my money to pay $1200 and possibly end up with scrap metal. I'd rather buy one I've seen run for $6-800 more. The OP says he has to put about $400 in it just to see if it runs. I hope it does.

 

[Clint S]

You are correct. I just looked up a few liquidation auctions. I didn't know at the liquidation auctions they drain all the fluids, remove oil filters, and remove the batteries to make them useless. Seems rkinda senseless for buyers not knowing if your getting a running gen set or a piece of scrap steel. Also affects the prices they get for them. That's our Gov't in action.

At least govplanet online ads you can hear the running models run, see some of the gauges working and get a write up of what they found including noted defects. I guess that's why I don't do Gov't liquidation sales. I've worked too hard for my money to pay $1200 and possibly end up with scrap metal. I'd rather buy one I've seen run for $6-800 more. The OP says he has to put about $400 in it just to see if it runs. I hope it does.

My thought too. I wonder if the fluids were drained when they were shipped from where they were used. I would guess a trip from the middle east back to the US could get bumpy

 

[George2615]

My thought too. I wonder if the fluids were drained when they were shipped from where they were used. I would guess a trip from the middle east back to the US could get bumpy

Probably due to some EPA crap of not having hazardous fluids coming into the country.

 

[dragoneggs]

Very cool. Good luck! Please update as you get it operational.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

yep, keep us posted on how it turns out please.