After MUCH consideration and a realistic look at my power needs I chose the 003A. I had to resist the "bigger is better" mantra that I tend to follow, in Diesel generators it is NOT the case. Not only will a larger capacity cost you more in fuel (YES, even when it is running a lower output) but the above mentioned wet stacking is a REAL concern. You can change the oil more often but you WILL have premature wear on the cylinder walls due the unburnt Diesel washing the oil film off the cylinders. In real terms, you want to be using 50-80% of the output power at all times.
What I did was look at all the critical items I must run, even understanding that most of those cycle on and off over time. Over and above those items, I didn't allow much headroom for lighting as I can live with less of that if my basic heating, refrigeration and cooking needs were met. For me it was easier than most as my 60" cooking range is a pure gas unit, with power only needed for ignition and thermostatic control (yes, even my oven and broilers are gas fired).
I was ready to pull the trigger on the 003A when my wife raised a concern of her own, noise. Perhaps unlike most here, I wasn't going to be able to place the generator far enough away from the living area, that even an enclosure/sound-attenuation kit could overcome. If I had more property an MEP-003A would have been the IDEAL generator for me, but in the end, I ended up with a very low hour commercial Diesel unit for 3 times the price.
When I can move away from all these silly Microshaftees (I live in the midst of the source of all your computer woes), into a more open and rural surrounding, a 003A would be the cats meow.
Fully lighting up the house like a proverbial Christmas tree during a power outage may seem like fun (yes, it's fun to rub your neighbors noses in it), but it is counter productive as they may want to share some of your good planning, and you still have to feed the little beast. My generator has a 58 gallon capacity (17 for the generator and 41 for the trailer) that gives a maximum run time of 48 hours at 3/4 load, and when we lose power, it is often for a week or more. That is a LOT of fuel and several refills even if I only run the generator 16 hours a day. I'd better keep the HEMTT fuel tank full so I can steal from it's ample 155 gallon tank.
I do have to say that hearing my current generator from even 10' away seems a bit TOO muted, I am a engine lover after all. That said, I might not feel the same way at 3AM with the wife telling me she doesn't consider an 1800 rpm Diesel music to her ears, like it might be to mine. We do have to keep the "better-half's" happy too.
