MEP-803A —— Did I Score? I think so……

Do the guys who use these generators for standby power leave them out in the weather 24/7 or build an enclosure for them?

I know their built for staying outside but that definitely takes a toll on them over time.

I was thinking of doing a little Tuff-Shed

They are fine left out in the weather but keeping the rain and snow off it will make it last even longer!

I leave all mine outside... some on a trailer, some on the ground. I keep my covers on them. Has never been a problem.

As far as a solar battery tender... make sure it is one without any sort of lights for status on it. They will slowly drain the power down. I had one I setup & it killed my Optima 51R's when I would leave them for extended periods in the winter. Removed the system and the batteries do fine on their own. Hate to admit it but one MEP 802A went almost 8 months without starting or anything. It started no problem with no tender or anything at all..... on 5yr old Optima 51R's. The key is just making sure the batteries are healthy.

The Solargizer or Pulstech seem to be better. They just maintain a charge but shut down once no sun touches the panel so they don't pull the batteries down.

Your unit looks great & your work has paid off. Should have it for a very long time! Just keep clean fluids in it & you'll be happy.

I've found the only enemy to these is moisture wanting to build up in the fuel if they sit for a while & it will plug up the filters quick. Spare set of filters on hand is a quick solver of that if it happens.

Trying to find a trailer now.
A trailer setup might be a better fit for the ranch.
Will be easier to wire something so I can plug into my panel.
Plan is to get one of your covers so I don't have to worry about spiders and wasps..... and weather.

I only use the Solargizer/PulseTech chargers. The items I have them on have not given me any issues at all.
Their not cheap, but you get what you pay for with them. Excellent products.

Very happy with the generator. I've learned a lot.
Past few days has been fixing the small misc. non-mission critical stuff., like the oil cap chain ring. It was missing so I added it today.
The overflow bottle strangely did not draw any fluid back into the radiator as it cooled after my radiator flush.
Found out the bottom had hard water deposits caked solid and was blocking the tube.
Removed the overflow bottle and cleaned it out, problem solved.

The tank I keep topped off with fresh red diesel with two-cycle oil and a heavy dose of seafoam.
I have several 55 gallon stainless steel drums that I keep diesel in and plan to use one of these for aux fuel when generator is needed.
Trailer will make that easier.
I also cut the zip ties and unrolled the aux fuel hose that has been rolled up since 2006.
Hose was fine and the hot sun took the curves out. I will probably have a shorter one made.

We get really bad ice storms here and will almost certainly have an extended power outage coming up soon.
Tornado and fire season are also a reason to have generators ready.
Since we are in a somewhat remote area, we get power restored usually last.
The MEP-803A will get it's chance to shine. It's almost ready.

I will keep and maintain my MEP-002A for a back up.

Painted on the beginning Hobbs time when I purchased it
I always do this on equipment so I don’t have to look it up or guess.



The battery covers came in so those were Installed today.
I kept the one big flap cover. Didn’t want to toss it and it’s not in the way of anything.
I washed them twice, but they didn’t clean up very well. Their stained. Guess it’s the type of rubber they use. Still work perfectly.





Coolant bottle is nice and clean. Just a touch low so will fix that tonight.
New cap is a perfect fit!



Made a solid copper Neutral Bar.
Didn't need it but I wanted it, so I made one using my copper stock.
I absolutely butchered the stamping.
5th grade level……….
Kinda embarrassing.
Oh well.
It’s readable.
In my defense, I was using brand new stamps that were oil coated and I was standing up at the bench.
lousy excuse, but I'm sticking with it!!

I might have to make another one.




I removed the rope from the lug wrench.
Left rope attached to machine.
Too close quarters and rope made it interesting trying to use wrench and then put it back into the holder.

Worked on mowers and tractor rest of day.
PM stuff.

Now time for some fried chicken!!

I never understood why the "dummy cord" rope was so short. I think they always end up being cut if they actually get used.

CallMeColt said:

I never understood why the "dummy cord" rope was so short. I think they always end up being cut if they actually get used.

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The rope is tucked away and will never be used.
I tried it with the rope once........
Never again.

Had to be some sort of engineers joke on the troops.

The rope was the next thing tossed in the trash can after the big plastic battery cover.

Very nice work getting it ready to serve when needed!

I've been on the lookout for a nice 803a. Can't find much out this way on Northwest Coast. Prices for nice units are up and shipping Cross Country just ads that much more on top,

The only time I really need a 10kw genset is for up at the house during summer outages to keep our AC running. In Fall, Winter & Spring the MEP-002a's do great job keeping both our service entrances on the property powered up.

Though as fire dangers seem to be on the increase, we run the risk of our utility provider doing preemptive safety shutdowns in summer during any high wind events & low humidity fire conditions.

So far were good... knock on wood! Though still on the hunt for a good reasonably priced MEP-003a lower hour unit.

Guyfang said:

The rope was the next thing tossed in the trash can after the big plastic battery cover.

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That I can totally understand with just one use.
Like trying to herd cats…….pointless.

Chainbreaker said:

Very nice work getting it ready to serve when needed!

I've been on the lookout for a nice 803a. Can't find much out this way on Northwest Coast. Prices for nice units are up and shipping Cross Country just ads that much more on top,

The only time I really need a 10kw genset is for up at the house during summer outages to keep our AC running. In Fall, Winter & Spring the MEP-002a's do great job keeping both our service entrances on the property powered up.

Though as fire dangers seem to be on the increase, we run the risk of our utility provider doing preemptive safety shutdowns in summer during any high wind events & low humidity fire conditions.

So far were good... knock on wood! Though still on the hunt for a good reasonably priced MEP-003a lower hour unit.

Click to expand...

Appreciate the compliment.

I love my MEP-002A.
It’s not going anywhere.
Only complaint is that it’s really loud.
I would love to have a 003A, but now I don’t have a need for one.

The 803A prices around here were well above what I wanted to pay, then this one popped up and I was fortunate enough to get it.
The high hours scared most away.
Luckily whomever had it before it went to auction took really good care of it.
The units I’ve bid on before ended up selling for triple or more than what I paid for this one.

My brother just built a new house and he has a Generac 27kw propane generator installed.
He was kinda thumbing his nose at the 803 in that it’s “only” a 10kw unit.
Told him that his Generac is meant for occasional power outages for short periods.
That I can run the 803 all day…..everyday…..for weeks on end nonstop (til oil change) and burn less fuel than that Generac will burn and for less money doing it.
Apples to oranges I know but you get the point.


The last thing I still need to do is install the wire mesh at the bottom.
Everything else that I can think of is done.
(I do have new fuel and temp gauges ordered. Original ones still work)

Still looking for an Emissions Exemption Label.
Have it posted in the classifieds.
Don’t need it but want one. The one on mine is missing.

Trailer Found

A Steel Soldiers member reached out with a trailer offer.
Great price!
It’s a LTT/TQG 1-1/2 ton (PU-798A) made for the 802A/803A.
Aluminum trailer so no rust
It’s a bit of a drive to get it but my wife and I are going to make a road trip out of it and enjoy seeing some new countryside.
I have pictures but it shows a lot of his place and items so I will not post them.

EDIT: Proper trailer ID posted


I was a bit bored this morning and it shows.