My MEP-803a experience

Another Ahab · Dec 6, 2016

I only just now picked up that you're in The Sunshine State; got it!

Anywhere else and those blocks could heave, which is the reason I wondered if they're buried. But in sunny FL all that is a non-issue. Nice!

Triton · Dec 6, 2016

Lonesouth, what solar charger did you use, I need to get one?

lonesouth · Dec 6, 2016

I used This Charger. It hasn't burned down yet, so I think I'm good to go. Not sure if it is going to hold up in the humidity though. Cheap enough that I won't lose any sleep if I have to replace it.

Solar panel is an Aleko 20w from eBay.

I did notice that the batteries were a little over charged after running for 30 minutes, around 25v when the generator was turned off. I'm guessing that is within the acceptable range for SLA batteries.

lonesouth · Dec 6, 2016

When I repaint this, what is the best way to get the stencils reapplied? Paint black, attach vinyl letters, paint green, peel letters?

rhurey · Dec 6, 2016

Buy 1" & 3/4" stencils, paint base color, tape stencil, paint stencil...?

Haoleb · Dec 6, 2016

You can go on ebay and get custom made oil board stencils.

It is probably the easiest and re-useable.

lonesouth · Dec 6, 2016

I'm tempted to buy a cricut. Would need to sell some custom stencils to recoup the cost though.

csheath · Dec 6, 2016

lonesouth said:
When I repaint this, what is the best way to get the stencils reapplied? Paint black, attach vinyl letters, paint green, peel letters?

I have a 24" vinyl cutter. Let me know when you get ready and I will cut you letters or stencils. The most realistic way is to cut stencils and paint it. I just use shelf paper for that. Tell me what you want and what size to make it.

Another Ahab · Dec 6, 2016

csheath said:
I have a 24" vinyl cutter. Let me know when you get ready and I will cut you letters or stencils. The most realistic way is to cut stencils and paint it. I just use shelf paper for that. Tell me what you want and what size to make it.

Does that thing have templates for letters and numbers; so you just "plug" them in, sort of?

csheath · Dec 6, 2016

Another Ahab said:
Does that thing have templates for letters and numbers; so you just "plug" them in, sort of?

It works from computer software. For a project like this I would select a stencil font and type it in then select all and set what size I want.

Just did these decals for a special event I took my Mustang to last week.

Another Ahab · Dec 6, 2016

csheath said:
It works from computer software. For a project like this I would select a stencil font and type it in then select all and set what size I want.

WHOA!! That's pretty slick; and handles 24" material?!

This must be an item you got access to at work, is that it, or do you own the thing?

csheath · Dec 6, 2016

Another Ahab said:
WHOA!! That's pretty slick; and handles 24" material?!

This must be an item you got access to at work, is that it, or do you own the thing?

I bought it off ebay years ago thinking I might make a buck with it. Have done almost everything on it for personal use or favors. Had fun learning and using it though.

lonesouth lives near me and offered to help me so I'll be glad to help him out on a repaint.

Another Ahab · Dec 6, 2016

csheath said:
I bought it off ebay years ago thinking I might make a buck with it. Have done almost everything on it for personal use or favors. Had fun learning and using it though.

I confess to drifting, but:

- Have you got a pic of that thing to post (if you don't mind; and EVEN if you do)?!

csheath · Dec 6, 2016

Another Ahab said:
I confess to drifting, but:

- Have you got a pic of that thing to post (if you don't mind; and EVEN if you do)?!

http://www.uscutter.com/Refurbished-Creation-PCUT-Vinyl-Cutter-24-36-48

Another Ahab · Dec 6, 2016

I couldn't justify buying the thing, but you know what?

That price really doesn't seem too bad.

Thanks for the link!

lonesouth · Dec 23, 2016

wife and kids went to the neighbors for a bit so I finally had some time to run the whole house on the MEP. I honestly can't believe how well it ran. The water pump barely made it burp. The A/C only kicked it up to 25% with all the rest of the house on. Only with both TVs, the A/C, the dryer, and the rest of the house, was I able to get it up to 75%. Color me impressed!

One catch though, we can't have only good times. My oil pressure was reading just above 20psi. Looking back at the original pics, and what I recall from running it in the past, the oil pressure was up over 40. I checked the oil and it is slightly overfilled when warm. It did not shutdown or turn on the low oil pressure light, which I did test with the test button to confirm it does light up.

TrailLifeBill · Dec 23, 2016

I did a 1 hr full load test on mine a couple of weeks ago - and I noticed that my pressure dropped from 40ish unloaded/cold down to 20-30 under load/warmed up. I think I saw a thread where that's "normal". My engine has fairly low time and I don't see any other symptoms/issues, so (along with your experience) I'm calling it OK. (I'm almost looking forward to a real event where I can prove to the other half that I'm not nuts for buying my genny.)

csheath · Dec 23, 2016

Operator's manual reads 25 to 60 PSIG. It also says the low oil pressure light comes on at 15 + or - 3.

I wouldn't trust ANY of these gauges. I am half mind to tee into temp and oil pressure with mechanical gauges.

Guyfang · Dec 24, 2016

Take the gage reading with a grain of salt.

Another Ahab · Dec 30, 2016

csheath said:
Operator's manual reads 25 to 60 PSIG. It also says the low oil pressure light comes on at 15 + or - 3.

I wouldn't trust ANY of these gauges. I am half mind to tee into temp and oil pressure with mechanical gauges.

You say "mechanical gauges"; what kind of gauges are on the MEP'S?

My MEP-803a experience

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