The storm blew through here at about 21:30 Friday. Power went out with the first 60 MPH gust when a red oak took the line down on our road. It was cool enough that evening that we didn't bother with a generator until the next morning.
The MEP-002A is still temporarily installed on a corner of the driveway but I do have a transfer setup on the house and run a cable across the yard to the input connector. I fueled it up and got it running at about 11:00 on Saturday. The high was 101 degrees and it was working steadily all day keeping the house, fridge, and freezer cool. We stayed indoors through most of the heat of the day with me walking out to check on the generator every couple of hours after it settled in. Average indicated load was about 50% during the day. Fuel consumption was nominal. Shut down at 23:30 because the house was cool and I didn't really want it running overnight unattended.
Sunday was not as hot but definitely not a cool day either - high was about 92 where we are. Started the generator at about 8:00. Power was restored about 19:30, but I ran the generator until about 20:30 just because I didn't want to interrupt dinner to do the transfer dance.
I have two new high efficiency heat pumps in a 2300 sq ft house and the 002 will run both of them at about 70% indicated load. Compressor start up droop is a little exciting when the second one starts, though, so I generally keep downstairs cool and only cool the upstairs (bedrooms) when the downstairs system has gotten things down to temperature and wants to cycle off anyway. That way I have plenty of reserve capacity for microwaving food or some other high-current activity. Indicated load running just the downstairs A/C, one or both fridges, and stuff like lights, a TV and computer or two is around 55%, which leaves enough reserve capacity to start the well pump.
I'm really glad that I don't have an MEP-003. I don't want the extra fuel consumption and, as these are continuous-rated units, I have no worries about running the generator at 100% load continuously. Further, it's healthier for the generator to run near rated output than at <30%
I test-loaded with a resistance load to 120% indicated, which (given the 20% derate on the gauge for power factor) means that I was pulling more than 150% of rated output. The generator didn't care at all - just made some more noise. That's about 7500 watts output. I don't think it had a lot more left, and I'm sure it couldn't have started a big capacitor-start motor at that load, but I think it makes the point that these are VERY underrated generators.
I strongly recommend that you do a little measuring and figure out what your actual loads are before deciding on one or another of these generators. It's easy to shed load to keep a smaller generator happy, but an oversized generator will always be inefficient.
Packing tape on the controls or doors of hungry appliances (microwave, toaster oven, etc) keeps people from forgetting that you're on generator power and need to plan ahead. I find a piece of packing tape a lot easier (and cheaper) than hauling another 10 gallons of diesel fuel a day. Let's not forget that it may be hard/impossible to get more diesel fuel than you have on hand - so making it last isn't just an economy move.
We also went through the first steps in spousal training on generator maintenance. Like most smart people, she loves the clear instructions on the side of the control cubicle, and we went from 'voltage is pressure and current is flow' to the reality of managing resistive heating of 150 ft of feed wire on a 100 degree day to keep the voltage in spec at the house in about two hours.
She's still a little fuzzy on load management at the breaker box, but care and feeding of an MEP-002A doesn't bother her at all.
I'll reinforce the lessons this weekend with a load bank session - I've been meaning to check the governor droop adjustment anyway.
Re the pic below: Get a Kill-A-Watt and use that to set your frequency and voltage - the panel meters get you 'close enough' but aren't actually all that accurate. The pic is actually at 240V and 60 Hz on the nose and yes, I know how to adjust the meters.
And for the record: After this weekend, I think this was the best $550 I've ever spent.
They turned our power back on on saturday afternoon. I think it helps to have one every few years to help you prepare!
