802a - Almost done...

[Toolslinger]

Crappy day outside, so time to wire the outlet on the 802a.
Because my use is both as a house backup, and then also to run some 3 phase tools as needed, I wanted one plug that can handle everything. It isn't code, because such a plug doesn't exist. However, an L21-30 will let me pull what I want from it, and handle the 30 amps. For the house, I'm just picking up X and Z plus the neutral, and ground. That's taken care of by the cord I feed the house with which has a male L21-30, and a female CS6364C. (I set the house up with a 50 amp inlet in case I find I want a bigger gen set down the road)

So, I picked up a weather resistant outlet.



The holes that the MEP has to hold the inlet bushing were just slightly too narrow. Just a couple minutes with a file to open them up a bit.


4 bolts later, it's in. Didn't have stainless handy, so brass will do just fine.



I'm going to add an external lug to ground the unit when running the 3 phase, and also an external washdown rated switch to either bond, or float it. Don't have the switch handy, but the lug will go on today.

I'm the only person that will be running this unit away from the house. It will normally sit at the house, preset for that application. My other half is pretty much never here when I'm not since she lives in another state, but she will be brought up to speed on verifying the settings, and running it to power the house.

I already have quite a bit of L21-30 cable and breakouts from a previous life in live event production. There will be no issue feeding the juice around to any particular application.

 

[robert248]

Where did you source the weather resistant outlet from?

 

[Toolslinger]

It either came via Amazon, or Zoro, I don't recall which. Possibly even Ebay. Regardless, if you search for the catalog number on the photo of the tag on the yellow box above, it'll show up. It's a complete assembly from Hubbel that includes the outlet.

 

[Light in the Dark]

https://www.zoro.com/hubbell-30a-wa...eptacle-3p-4w-125250vac-hbl2710sw/i/G3119706/ . Put it in your cart for a few days and if you don't buy... you will likely get a 10-15% off coupon in your inbox.

The item # is slightly different than the one on his yellow box. Thats the one I put in my machine, linked above. Its tapped only for 120/240V. The one the other posted linked to supports 120/208.

I will never use 3PH, so no sense in paying more.

 

[upstateguy]

I like how clean this turned out. Like to find a reasonably priced 50 amp 120/240V single phase solution for the MEP-803A. Thinking about mounting a SS2-50R to support the 10 kw continuous output (12 kw peak). Can’t find a Hubble that style with the female receptacle for the output. Lots of options for the male plug input from a power source (typically used for 50A input to RV or to a house with code compliant transfer switch or interlocked backfeed breaker).

 

[Toolslinger]

Only one i saw that might be plausible in the 50 amp range was this:

Amazon.com

Beyond finding it I didn't go any further to look in to fit, or quality...

 

[Toolslinger]

Finally back to the 802...
Bonding switch is in now.
It's some Mil-spec washdown rated switch.

I have not had the opportunity to make the brass tags for Bond and Float, so paint marker will have to do until I can run that project at work.
Exterior ground lug is just above it. I should have no reason to go in to the connections again unless I need to do something strnge.



All the load lines are #8. Ground, and the neutral bond are #10.

So, it is finally done. Now I just need to be able to pull the big mower off my tractor to put the pallet forks back on. There's been no break in the rain/mow cycle yet this spring... If it goes on too long, I'll move it on slings with the loader.

 

[CallMeColt]

Nice work!

 

[Toolslinger]

And... It's done, done. (almost)
Done as in sitting there, tested and working.
Almost as in I'd like to move it a little further back so it will be sheltered under the deck overhang in the back, but doing so would be a challenge... Also the batteries are probably done... Still ok, but just not holding for terribly long.



We had a forcast for some nasty storms to roll through, so I decided I should get moving, and drop it in place.
Did that, and the batteries were flat as the skies were getting darker.
That's on me, I bought the Noco charger before I even had the gen set, and hadn't installed it... Well, I quickly threw that on, and got some juice flowing... Didn't want to leave the doors open due to rodents, so I noted a panel I hadn't before... Pulled that off, punched a hole, and mounted the Noco bulkhead setup... That worked out very nicely... I have to neaten up my wire runs inside, and mount the charger, but it's all buttoned up, and working.


Never got the storm...

Next morning, I decided to test run it in the worst case scenario. That's a few lights on, along with the water pump, and HW heater going. After finding a bad connection in one of the plugs, the dramatic way... I got that sorted out, and when I hit the breaker to bring the pump on line after everything else was running (figured inrush would be the worst case), it grunted a bit, threw some smoke, but kept chugging along. Gauges seemed fine. My UPS equipment was happy with the quality of the power coming in, so even under the worst case, I think I'm good to go. I think I'd tend to keep most loads off if anyone was showering, or otherwise running hot water much, but power is actually pretty stable by me, so an outage isn't likely to last terribly long unless we get hit with something really unusual.