Forgetting to oil the adjustment rod on the electric actuator on your 15-KW MEP-113A or 30-KW MEP-114A generator could shut down an entire communications system.

Here's how: The rod is part of a governor that controls engine speed. Without enough oil, the bearings inside the rod ends wear out. Once that happens, the rod can't move the way it should to trigger the fuel injector pump. The pump can't deliver the precise amount of fuel to the engine. And when the amount of fuel to the engine varies, the electricity produced by the generator varies as well.

Communications systems are especially vulnerable to changes in power. Without a steady supply, they can shut down.

So oil the bearings in each end rod regularly with 30-weight oil, NSN 9150-01-178-4726. Wiggle the rod a little to work the oil in around the bearings.