"A Tale of Two MEP-802A And The PU Trailer They Road In On"

[Bluevic443]

First off, hope everyone is doing well in this time of "Self Quarantine".
I was the shocked winner in GP auction out of San Antonio, Texas. Was watching the auction site and amazed at how high the 803a's were going for!!!! Then the 802a's without trailers were going for what seamed about right. Then came up the two 802's on a PU trailer. Was watching the bidding and it seamed very slow paced and was below what I thought these two low hour units would go for. So at the last minute I put in a bid of $1800.00 knowing that there will be a flurry of bids like at the very end...… Well, going, going, going,....SOLD!!!!! REALLY, NO, REALLY!!!! Now I am the proud owner of two generators and a very nice trailer.

 

[Light in the Dark]

Nice score... you have to be patient enough to find the real winners like this auction. Hope they are both excellent machines with little work needed.

 

[Bluevic443]

Sense I was home over the kids spring break and still had time off I contacted GP and asked if there was a way to pic it up early? Mind you that this was the very beginning of this Covid-19 outbreak. I was told "If I could be there by 0800 Friday to come and get it". Panic buying a pental hitch and gathering all the other necessities, I was off. The trip home was uneventful and that trailer tow nice!!!
Kids now have something new to clime on!!!

 

[Bluevic443]

Now the twins need to be separated!!!
I have been reading all the post a gathering all the supplies to go through these machines and bring them up to date. Fuel lines, well nuts, SST fasteners, JD break in oil for the unit with 29 hours, and filters. First issue, you can't get the tank access panel off with them facing front to front with just enough offset to get to the fuel cap!!! So....

Dang that trailer is tall!!!!

Safely in the ER!!!

 

[mciikurzroot]

Now the twins need to be separated!!!
I have been reading all the post a gathering all the supplies to go through these machines and bring them up to date. Fuel lines, well nuts, SST fasteners, JD break in oil for the unit with 29 hours, and filters. First issue, you can't get the tank access panel off with them facing front to front with just enough offset to get to the fuel cap!!! So....View attachment 794603
View attachment 794605
Dang that trailer is tall!!!!
View attachment 794606View attachment 794607
Safely in the ER!!!

Where there is the will there follows the way, this has some train wreck written on it but you pulled it off and well done.. mac/mc

 

[reset2]

I almost purchased another Power Plant but the one I was looking at sold for $2500. In hind site should have went at least one more bid.
Good catch for you. That is one thing with GP watch each sale and hopefully as a bidder you will be rewarded. When ever you get it up and running can you shoot a video on how the transfer switch works. Just curious on how the 802s sync up.

 

[Light in the Dark]

Where there is the will there follows the way, this has some train wreck written on it but you pulled it off and well done.. mac/mc

Sometimes the only way to get shit done is to send the wife and kids out on an errand so they don't see whats about to be done... guilty of that too.

 

[Guyfang]

I almost purchased another Power Plant but the one I was looking at sold for $2500. In hind site should have went at least one more bid.
Good catch for you. That is one thing with GP watch each sale and hopefully as a bidder you will be rewarded. When ever you get it up and running can you shoot a video on how the transfer switch works. Just curious on how the 802s sync up.

It an easy operation. As long as you read the boot and follow directions.

 

[Bluevic443]

Sometimes the only way to get shit done is to send the wife and kids out on an errand so they don't see whats about to be done... guilty of that too.

Not the first time I have done some pretty sketchy lifts at home. Just be mindful of the pinch points and crush zones!!!!
Bridgeport base.

All done!!! And in it's new home.

 

[Bluevic443]

More progress:


First shipment of new parts!!! Off eBay. Free shipping too. If I am going to buy for one, I have to buy for the other one!!!

Yup, they are toast from the out side but actually looked good when I cut them out.

They don't want that tank to come out, do they!!! Blocked up the whole assembly with some wood to clear the fork pocket.

should be good for another 23 years

 

[Bluevic443]

Fuel line day:
Read all the stories about the leaking cloth fuel supply and return lines after their first run after retirement. So, out they came. First let's check the air filter sense the top is off. Really!!!


Can't get the filter out do to the Artic Kit!!! Out comes the filter canister!!!



This is the fuel return hose from across the top of the engine. It is stiff and the cloth is falling off in my hands.


Presto!!!!


Now the main line from the tank. Thought those AN fittings looked like they could be rebuildable:

End of Fuel line day.

 

[Light in the Dark]

Just undo the bolts on the top of the air filter bracket assy, and bend them out of the way. The canister lifts up and out.

 

[Light in the Dark]

If any of those little white Ts break during your work, just know they are 1/8" vacuum T fittings, available at many local auto stores.

 

[Bluevic443]

Just undo the bolts on the top of the air filter bracket assy, and bend them out of the way. The canister lifts up and out.

That's what I did, removed the whole canister. The "Artic Kit" just means you have to take the cover off to check the air filter. The filter itself looks brand new and a Baldwin. Clean air filter, CHECK.

 

[BobbyT]

i'm thinking down in Texas you could probably get away with removing the Artic kit...

 

[reset2]

Did your forget those Texans don't like the cold.

 

[reset2]

Not the first time I have done some pretty sketchy lifts at home. Just be mindful of the pinch points and crush zones!!!!View attachment 794960
Bridgeport base.
View attachment 794961
All done!!! And in it's new home.

I got a Bridgeport in my basement just waiting for a paint job just like yours. Nice job.

 

[Bluevic443]

i'm thinking down in Texas you could probably get away with removing the Artic kit...

Thought about that too. Looked to see what it would take to remove. Between the coolant lines and the wiring harness that is wove through the machine, they will stay for now. Found a fuse tucked along the right door that I think powers the unit, it was blown. Going to try to get it to work also.

 

[Bluevic443]

I got a Bridgeport in my basement just waiting for a paint job just like yours. Nice job.

I have sense found a second that is also stored in the garage. Came with a truck load of tooling.

 

[Bluevic443]

Fuel Pump Day:
Hope everyone is staying sane with all the news and being stuck at home. I'm part of the group that is considered "Essential Personnel". Been working a split shift, morning one week then evenings the next. We had a large back log but that has been worked and now few new orders are coming in. This generator project has kept me busy on the weekends.
On with the task at hand!!!
Purchased two 51R batteries and installed them. I had drained the "grey" oil out after I got them home so I put some cheap 15/40 to flush the old oil out and to top it off. The oil filter saw still dry!!!! It stayed.
Spun the engine over by hand a few revolutions to verify that it would. Crossed my fingers, and bumped the crank switch, starter engaged and sounded normal.
Went to the control panel and switched it to prime to clear the air out of the lines. Let it run for a few moments and all I heard was gurgling. Switched it to aux to check the aux pump, Nothing!!! Started with the main pump. Remembered I have two "spares" on the other machine.

OK WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE!!!!!

Got that squared away and rigged up a temp fuel supply and took her outside. Found an old inline fuse in my pile of "stuff I will need some day" and it had a 3 amp fuse in it too. Windings protected!!!
Turned the switch to prime/run. Heard a defiant change in the pumps tone as the air was moved out and replaced with fuel.
Pulled the return line out of the temp tank and was seeing bubbles, then straight fuel. Went back to the control panel and with a deep breath turned to START. VVVVRRRRROOOOMMMM and a belch of black smoke, Oil pressure came up to 45 psi and I let go of the switch. IT'S ALIVE!!!!! And I shut it down. Went to check the oil level, good. Poured some of the coolant I drained in the hose so the pump was not dry. Checked for any leaks, none. Let's start it again!!! Prime/run, sounds good, run. VVVVRRRRROOOOMMMM and a belch of black smoke!!! Oil pressure, Check. Alternator gauge, went into the green and is settling back, Check. Volts is at 240, check. Hertz is over 60, adjusted back, Check. Plug in a power tool at the convenience plug, comes on, Check. Temp gauge starting to show an increase in temp. Oh crap, water pumping out, thermostat opened, NO CHECK!!! Radiator still at the shop being repaired.

End of Fuel Pump Day.
Practice your social distancing!!!