Can someone identify the pipe and the paint?

[reybo]

On the right side of the 003A gen, in the area below the fuel filters, is a 38" storage channel with two locking arms. There is room there for two 38" pipes. I have a 31" pipe stored in the channel, actually two pipes with a threaded joint. What's it for? [See picture]

And is there a name for Army green paint and is it available in spray cans? The unit looks good but there are two small areas where paint chipped off.

Appreciate any info.

 

[DeucesWild11]

Well this is just a stab in the dark but perhaps it's the fuel pipe for the AUX fuel tank? Not sure how big it is from the pics. You should also have a flexible fuel line with a cap on it that attaches to a 55 gallon drum. Perhaps that is the pipe that connects to the cap and goes down into the drum?

You can get army paint in spray cans in Tractor Supply if there is one close to you. It's a pretty close match.

 

[Neophyte]

I believe the storage area is for the 3 grounding rods (3 foot lengths). The paint that matches is Rapco 383 (though you can buy it from many venders or get it matched at an auto paint supplier).

 

[reybo]

Well this is just a stab in the dark but perhaps it's the fuel pipe for the AUX fuel tank? Not sure how big it is from the pics. You should also have a flexible fuel line with a cap on it that attaches to a 55 gallon drum. Perhaps that is the pipe that connects to the cap and goes down into the drum?

You can get army paint in spray cans in Tractor Supply if there is one close to you. It's a pretty close match.

Wiki said a 55-gal drum is 34.5" deep, so with fittings the 31" pipe would be about right. I plan on using a pipe down into the underground 1000 gallon heating oil tank. There's already a clean, unused copper line to the tank running passed the gen about 6" down. No foot valve on it, though, which will have to be addressed if it becomes an issue. Sucking fuel 3' out of a drum is easier than sucking it 12'.

I'll hop over to Tractor Supply right now.

Thanks.

 

[reybo]

I believe the storage area is for the 3 grounding rods (3 foot lengths). The paint that matches is Rapco 383 (though you can buy it from many venders or get it matched at an auto paint supplier).

This 31" threaded pipe is consistent with being a copper fuel line, but your idea makes good sense.

 

[ryan77]

If the rods are copper they are the grounding rods!!

 

[jbk]

two piece aux. fuel adapter. that short piece i added for a 15 gal. drum. the head unscrews and goes in that large hole above the fuel filters. the paint does have a name just dont remember what that green was called. i use forest green on mine. a paint shop can match the color if you bring them a sample.

 

[storeman]

If it has a hole in the middle you can see through, its a fuel pick-up. If no hole, its heavier and is a ground rod.
Jerry

 

[reybo]

If the rods are copper they are the grounding rods!!

The pipe is threaded for a fitting, hollow, and no sign of dirt. If a grounding rod, it's unused. In the storage box, however, is a thick solid steel rod about 20 inches long with a T top that the seller used as a ground at his cabin where this gen was the only power source.

 

[reybo]

the paint does have a name just dont remember what that green was called.

You're going to kick yourself, as I did at Tractor Supply. Olive Drab. Perfect match. Came home, breeze died down, took care of the flaking and the touch-up.

 

[doghead]

If all else fails, read the TM!

 

[ryan77]

Now im wondering what the single copper rod is for on my mep017a??? I thought it was a grounding rod! I will check the tm!!

 

[storeman]

If it is hollow....fuel. single section, jerry can, 2 sections, fuel drum (as it says in TM ...hail Doghead!)

 

[reybo]

If it is hollow....fuel. single section, jerry can, 2 sections, fuel drum (as it says in TM ...hail Doghead!)

The photo down below of the pipes, tubing, and stopper suggest they are standard equipment. Perhaps findable here or on ebay.

 

[reybo]

two piece aux. fuel adapter. that short piece i added for a 15 gal. drum. the head unscrews and goes in that large hole above the fuel filters. the paint does have a name just dont remember what that green was called. i use forest green on mine. a paint shop can match the color if you bring them a sample.

On mine "that large hole above the fuel filters" seems to be a pressure relief valve of some sort, turnable but not necessarily removable. It has a compression handle on top. Under the handle is a threaded fuel fitting. Any idea of its purpose? The auxiliary fuel input is off to the left as part of the auxiliary fuel pump.

 

[rosco]

The bung in JBK's #7 post is stored right above the left most fuel filter. The stand pipes & hose, store in the tool box.

 

[SCSG-G4]

On mine "that large hole above the fuel filters" seems to be a pressure relief valve of some sort, turnable but not necessarily removable. It has a compression handle on top. Under the handle is a threaded fuel fitting. Any idea of its purpose? The auxiliary fuel input is off to the left as part of the auxiliary fuel pump.

Look at Roscoe's picture! That is the top of the aux fuel adapter! To get it off, you have to release the compression, and if it's been painted with it on there, twist a little to get it moving. Area shown in the OP's picture can hold both the fuel rods and the ground rods at the same time. Fuel rods should have caps on them to reduce the incident of insects building nests in them - we have a lot of mud dauber wasps locally.

 

[reybo]

We're still not fully clear how the auxiliary fuel system connects. The photos above show the rotating cap with the rubber seal that is being called the top of the auxiliary fuel adapter. One photo with the lever down, the other with the lever up. Up reveals a fuel connector fitting. The cap does not appear to be removable without disassembly. The TM, and I checked the 1977 and 1988 editions, do not mention or illustrate this cap. What's its function? What would that fuel connector fitting go to?

So far as TM illustrations, it would appear, though the manual doesn't describe this, that the lower elbow on the auxiliary fuel pump is what connects to a flexible line to an auxiliary fuel supply. Makes sense for that intake to be on the fuel pump.

Could there be yet another manual for the 003A dedicated to connecting to a fuel supply? In addition to the obvious things it would include specs such as fuel line lift height limits, and pipe diameter recommendations. Just because it looks to my eyes like it takes a 3/8" line doesn't mean it does.

 

[Jimc]

I think you are confused. Lift the lever and pull the adapter off the gen. With the lever up its just sitting there. Thats only a place to store it so it doesnt get lost. Take it out, screw in the pickup tube into the bottom and the fuel line onto the fitting. The fuel line goes from the fitting to the aux fuel fitting on the fuel pump. That adapter just goes in the top of a 55gal drum.

 

[Triple Jim]

Right, Jimc, but mine seemed stuck at first, too, and I wondered about it just like reybo did. I finally lifted the lever, rocked it back and forth a few times, and yanked it out. It seems that the rubber took a set from being compressed for a long time and didn't shrink small enough to easily fit through the hole in the frame as soon as I raised the lever. It may help to leave the lever in the up position for a day or two.