Recent content by Mweiss

I see lots of plastic barrels for sale on Marketplace, and they have the required two 2" openings, but I'm concerned about the longevity of a plastic barrel. Wouldn't these develop cracks with summer/winter temperature swings? Yes, figuring out the 3/4" fittings adds complexity. Since I'm not a...

So if I understand correctly, this has a male 3/4" NPT thread and passes a 3/8" soft drawn copper tubing? I also found something like this: Not sure if the top insert is for 3/8". The site sells 1/2" x 1/2" compression fittings and this was a photo of one example they had.

I was pondering using some type of 3/4" NPT fitting, and then sweat soldering a 3/8" copper tube long enough to reach close to the bottom of the tank. I have access to Home Depot, so whatever I can get from their plumbing aisle is what I have to work with. I'm thinking that a reducer fitting...

As it turned out, my search for a 55 gallon oil drum is not turning up any barrels with two 2" ports. The ones local to me have a 2" and a 3/4" port. I need a 2" port for the oil filler as that's what the oil delivery truck needs. That leaves me with only a 3/4" port to attach the fuel line. I...

Was running the 803A today (raining all day, no solar) and it shut down unexpectedly. I could swear I had a full tank of fuel in there 3 hours earlier in run time. AUX fuel pump comes on, but not the main fuel pump and the No Fuel light is on. We're in the middle of a major rain event, so will...

Thanks for the helpful insights on what to expect on the oil changes. I thought there might be something obstructing the exit pipe, but glad to hear it's normal. The idea of using a vacuum pump to suck out the old oil sounds like a good idea. Any recommendations for such equipment would be...

I was in the hospital with stomach cancer when my wife did a video call as I guided her to start the genset and charge the battery bank on a rainy day. She showed me the panel and I knew something wasn't right seeing the fuel gauge not in its customary scale reading. When I got home from the...

Another rainy day, solar is not producing, so started up the MEP803A for the second day in a row (ran it two hours yesterday to top off batteries). Today, the circuit interrupter would not engage. Had 240VAC on the meter, but nothing at the output. Started measuring the resistors at the far left...

I'll need to confirm with a clamp on meter. Also will check the burden resistors. Thanks guys!

Is there any way to adjust the threshold at which the AC circuit interrupter trips? It's supposed to be at 105%, but it's happening at 95% load after about ten minutes charging batteries with EG4 Chargeverters on my solar power system. I've seen people loading these to 133% without tripping, so...

When I receive a paid return ship label. (You didn't expect me to pay out of pocket for an unsolicited item, did you?)

Finally got help to move the generator. (My excavator is STILL awaiting repairs). Had a neighbor with a JCB forklift/Backhoe move the generator. I made a spreader with 2x8 beams and a bunch of chains. Worked a treat. Bought a 1" thick rubber mat from Tractor Supply and put that down first. The...

My thinking is leaning toward wrong shunt rather than defective. Short of corrosion, not much can go wrong with a 1/4" wide strip of brass.

I probed around today, disconnected the meter wires and ohmmeter verified they actually go to the shunt (with them connected, one wire was always 0.5 ohms). Then I fired up the generator and noted that I have about 27 V on the FU1. It's the same voltage on both sides of the shunt. So the round...

All I'm trying to say is that it is reasonable to know the operational status of what you are selling and be up front about any malfunctions. Throwing in a digital meter isn't going to solve the problem if the voltage to the meter is missing. I've said this in post 60 and again in later posts...