Finally joined the MEP-803A club...

[robson1015]

Put a plug on my stove load bank and rigged up a supplement 5400w add on. Was finally able to get up to 100% load and let it run for 2 1/2 hours at 100% and 115%.
Cooled it down to 70% - 50% and then no load for 10 minutes before shutting down. She spit out a few carbon crispies and some black smoke @ 115%. Seems like a good workout.

 

[robson1015]

Ran some conduit from the garage, under the sidewalk for the battery charger/maintainer. Don't have the charger or batteries yet but just staying ahead of the game.

 

[robson1015]

Pics of my 'poor man' load bank. $50 mini stove and $17 dryer element = $67.

 

[robson1015]

So far so good...

 

[Daybreak]

Ran some conduit from the garage, under the sidewalk for the battery charger/maintainer. Don't have the charger or batteries yet but just staying ahead of the game.

Howdy,

24v charging thru slave port talk about 1 unit and moving it among other items.

Since that will be your only unit. A Deltran Water Resistant Power Tender Plus 24V would probably be your best bet. Other members have, and use that unit. (Waterproof and 24v) or you could use a separate unit on each like the 800 12V Battery Charger. The age old saying of maintaining each battery individually is always slightly better method.

There is also the solar charger option too.

 

[robson1015]

That is the unit I have ordered from Amazon.... Thought about solar but I am so close to the garage I went with the Deltran unit

 

[robson1015]

I saw that Advance Auto had the Optima red tops for $167. The best price I've seen so far...May be two of them in my near future.
Amazon has them for $165 - just ordered two with free shipping....

 

[robson1015]

Found an auxiliary fuel tank for $10. It had 0w-20w synthetic oil in it. Has a small dent. Plan is to keep it in the garage and pipe aux. line through conduit out under the sidewalk to the generator. Just did the same with the battery charger wiring. More later.

 

[robson1015]

Decided against the metal drum, it was banged up and I didn't have confidence in it. Went with good old black plastic.

 

[robson1015]

Ran the auxiliary fuel line through 1" conduit under the sidewalk into the garage. I like the idea of having the tank inside away from extreme temps and sunlight. Makes the fuel harder to steal also. The conduit from the ground to the connection is 3/4" flexible conduit, should keep the hose nice and dry and protected.

 

[robson1015]

Just waiting on the batteries to be delivered. Got the battery tender/charger today. Picture of my helper included...Grass seed and straw.

 

[robson1015]

Project is almost complete, ...Found a used fuel pickup unit for the barrel on the auction site for $30. More later.

 

[Guyfang]

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Just waiting on the batteries to be delivered. Got the battery tender/charger today. Picture of my helper included...Grass seed and straw.

Give the helper an extra snack!

 

[Light in the Dark]

Thats a nice way to do it. My personal preference would be to do a hybrid of what you did, but have the aux fuel house on the house on some sort of spool (so it could be back drained when not in use, versus having fuel sitting in the line until next refill). But good job nonetheless.

 

[NATCAD]

Thats a nice way to do it. My personal preference would be to do a hybrid of what you did, but have the aux fuel house on the house on some sort of spool (so it could be back drained when not in use, versus having fuel sitting in the line until next refill). But good job nonetheless.

Couldn't he have a valve at the barrel and shut it, and keep running the aux to clear the line?

 

[robson1015]

I'll figure a way to clear the line when I shut it down....

 

[boatman69]

If you cannot clear the line 100%. As in flushed. You'd be better to leave it full. As in zero oxygen.

 

[robson1015]

I think if I disconnect the line from the barrel and activate the aux fuel pump by moving the float down in the tank, I can pump the line dry...

 

[boatman69]

Now your looking at a gummed up pump and filter. If your worried about line degradation, go with Teflon. Probably the price of a new pump - braided stainless with fittings. And no zinc, copper or their alloys. They react with diesel. Yep, no brass or bronze fittings. I know almost every engine has them. They make black gook. Aluminum, stainless, and steel are ok. Bet I sound like one **** of a buzz kill. The life of being a tech. I might take fuel storage a little more seriously than some. I even have a desicant filter in my tank vent. And am working on a nice solar powered polisher. After all fuel quality is the number one problem with diesel engines. I had to repair two generators DURING Irma, in Cape Coral. Boat powering the house, pretty cool. I had to part with my back up lift pump for one. Run dry, gummed up. Adage - You can pay me now or pay me later.

 

[Guyfang]

I think if I disconnect the line from the barrel and activate the aux fuel pump by moving the float down in the tank, I can pump the line dry...

Or you could unplug the float switch, and jump the two pins. Then you don't need to get your arm and hand stinking like fuel.