Generator purchase assistance needed SouthEast 10kW

Hi Guys,

I purchased a MEP 003A on a trailer a while back for work (construction temporary power.) I ended up using it for my house during a hurricane and loved it. I'd like to purchase another one but I'm not a mechanic and don't know much about these generators other than what I have learned reading posts in this forum and what the generator mechanic told me about the one I purchased.
With the COVID lock down I thought someone might be interested in helping me purchase a [edit] 10kW generator of good value. I'm in Florida, so I'd assume it would need to be someone in the Southeast. IF you'd be interested, please let me know and we can talk through the details. TIA!

I'm in West Tn but I have 2 003a's that I need to work on before they are ready. 1,000 hour units. Send me a PM if your interested.

If interested I'm in RI ( North East ) and have 2 Mep-003A's done, fully serviced, tested and ready to go to work.
One is a real nice 1992 Govt. refurbed unit ,done with 131 hours at the time, now with 429 hours and tri-color CARC paint.
The other unit has about 1100 hours on it and has a few dings and a little rust here and there, but I can give you a better deal on it because it's not quite as pretty.
Send me a PM if you would like any details.
Thanks
Ray.

henoblah said:

... I thought someone might be interested in helping me purchase a [edit] 10kW generator of good value. I'm in Florida, so I'd assume it would need to be someone in the Southeast. ...

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I realized this post wasn't very clear. I'm looking for a 10kW (003 or 803?) generator for whole house hurricane back-up. My main goal would be to partner with someone that would be interested in checking out units for sale, preferably direct from surplus and providing me a recommendation. I'll pay for the generator and my "partner" can fix it up or just help me get it on a truck and ship it down as-is. My "partner" would be compensated, but the majority of the risk would be on me. Before everyone starts to flame me; yes, I do believe that most people are good people and want to do the right thing. I understand I may get hosed by someone pretending to know more than they do or finding a different way to take advantage of the situation.
To those that already have units for sale, yes, I'm interested but my preference is to buy one from surplus and fix it up.

Ray is a good dude with good machines. So is Jimmy, a bit closer to you. I've sold sets all over the US, it all comes down to trust (I ship them via common carrier). I even had a chap come down from Nova Scotia (a 12 hour drive one way) to procure from me. I don't think you are going to find shysters here on SS. Good luck in your search.

Light in the Dark said:

Ray is a good dude with good machines. So is Jimmy, a bit closer to you. I've sold sets all over the US, it all comes down to trust (I ship them via common carrier). I even had a chap come down from Nova Scotia (a 12 hour drive one way) to procure from me. I don't think you are going to find shysters here on SS. Good luck in your search.

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Thanks. Even though it's my first post I've been trolling the site for a few years learning about these generators. It seems like it's generally a good group but there's always exceptions.

Without a doubt. Im sure if you are patient enough, you will find what you want.

You aren’t going to ‘steal’ one from an auction these days unless you are very, very lucky. Even then, these are rarely plug and play. I think you would do better to buy a checked out unit from someone here and may even get some sort of warranty and it will be ready to go.

Robert

Where are you located, I'm in Summerfield Florida. From what I've seen at auction lately, were pretty beat up and high prices and far from southeast. Jimmy has good units at fair prices. Perhaps he would part with one of those 003s that need work. I'd be willing to help you fix it up, I'm no guru , but have maintained a few 800 series gens. I currently have an 831, 2-802s, & an 803.

Peace
Brian

Y

69birdman said:

Where are you located, I'm in Summerfield Florida. From what I've seen at auction lately, were pretty beat up and high prices and far from southeast. Jimmy has good units at fair prices. Perhaps he would part with one of those 003s that need work. I'd be willing to help you fix it up, I'm no guru , but have maintained a few 800 series gens. I currently have an 831, 2-802s, & an 803.

Peace
Brian

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Thanks. I'm in South Florida, but that doesn't necessarily prevent me from working with you.

Light in the Dark said:

Ray is a good dude with good machines. So is Jimmy, a bit closer to you. I've sold sets all over the US, it all comes down to trust (I ship them via common carrier). I even had a chap come down from Nova Scotia (a 12 hour drive one way) to procure from me. I don't think you are going to find shysters here on SS. Good luck in your search.

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While I have never "met" LITD, Ray or Jimmy, I would trust them without question. One of them may even have a fixer upper, that you can get.

003A's are getting far and very few on the auction sites. 803A's are still available, pretty pricey if they run, + 10% + state & local tax & GPs credit card fee. Then your recovery/shipping fees. I would recommend just looking at the above mentioned fellas offerings. If you can get by with 5kw , I have 2 802As , both run & make power, you get pick of the litter.

Guyfang said:

While I have never "met" LITD, Ray or Jimmy, I would trust them without question. One of them may even have a fixer upper, that you can get.

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Not a vote of confidence earned lightly... thanks Guy.

Yes, thanks to both LITD and Guy, your kind words are definitely appreciated!

You guys earned it.

Light in the Dark said:

Ray is a good dude with good machines. So is Jimmy, a bit closer to you. I've sold sets all over the US, it all comes down to trust (I ship them via common carrier). I even had a chap come down from Nova Scotia (a 12 hour drive one way) to procure from me. I don't think you are going to find shysters here on SS. Good luck in your search.

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I'm the guy who drive from Nova Scotia to buy one of LITD's machines and I couldn't be happier with the purchase.

Like many others, my original thought was to roll the dice on an auction unit, get it back to Canada, then fix whatever was required. After digging into the fees and additional transportation costs to get it from the closest auction site, not to mention the unknown costs associated with getting any needed parts, it became quite clear that my best option would be to buy a "known-runner". For perspective, if I bought an unknown machine from the auction, after fees and transportation, it was going to cost within a hundred bucks as compared to a load-tested machine from LITD that had all new batteries, fluids and filters. I asked him to send me a couple videos of the machine: one showing a cold start and a second to show any blow-by, which he did without issue. He even ordered an aux fuel line on my behalf from a US seller who wouldn't ship to Canada. He's a great guy and I will hopefully facilitate some of my friends becoming MEP owners with his help. Fortunately, I've been able to help him by acting as a reference for other clients.

Before and after picking up my 803a, the SS members have been an amazing resource. While I only have transaction experience with one member, several others - many of whom have already commented on your thread - have helped me with their knowledge and experience. I'd recommend looking into all the costs of getting one from an auction including transaction fees and transportation, then add batteries and a full fluid and filter service. You may find (as I did) that you're better off working with one of the fellas on here who buys-fixes-sells machines.

My suggestion to anyone looking at these generators: leverage the collective knowledge of the SS members and strongly consider their recommendations before deciding on what you want. Provide as much information - including intended purpose, loads, needs vs wants, mechanical ability, etc - as you can to the forum and let these fine folks steer you in the right direction. Don't be afraid to ask questions!

Stay safe!

J

Hey Jeremy. Nice to hear from you. In this ever less secure world, relationships matter. Glad to do my part.

If you're unable to locate a good unit, I have a few MEP-003As in my shop. Slowly working through them one at a time. Right now a couple MEP-004As at the front of the line. Location FL panhandle.

69birdman said:

003A's are getting far and very few on the auction sites. 803A's are still available, pretty pricey if they run, + 10% + state & local tax & GPs credit card fee. Then your recovery/shipping fees. I would recommend just looking at the above mentioned fellas offerings. If you can get by with 5kw , I have 2 802As , both run & make power, you get pick of the litter.

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Not to hijack the thread but @69birdman shoot me a PM on the 802. I would be interested. I currently have a 803 that runs very well but I believe it's just overkill for my house.

I've been looking for an 802 but they are getting harder to come by.

803s are a whole lot of machine... thats always what I try to drive home. They are perfect fit for some folks... overkill for others (especially if you consider overnight runs). You could always soak up some of the excess wattage by running a couple milk house heaters https://www.walmart.com/ip/Utility-Milkhouse-Style-Electric-Space-Heater-DQ1702/642591645

They come in different wattages and can allow for extra loading when required. Do you find that you would ever need all the power an 803 puts out under ANY scenario?