The oil and temp gauges have sending units that convert the pressure and temperature readings to a resistance value. The gauge reads based on the amount of resistance on the ground signal. A mechanical gauge has a capillary tube that regulates the gauge based on actual pressure or temperature.
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My MEP-803a experience
- Thread starter lonesouth
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There are no military gen sets with direct pressure meters. About 10 million years ago, there were a few, but as it was always a weak link in the gen technology, it was done away with.
Firebrand
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Nice job documenting and sharing your installation and process. Borrowing your solar components for my own -803a setup! Thanks!
lonesouth
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Is there a drain under the engine or head that allows water to escape the chassis?
Not sure if this is what you are looking for but the block drain is on the front of the engine under the water pump. A fellow member helped me find it by telling me to follow the hose that tees off the radiator drain.
The easiest way I found to access it is to disconnect the battery, take the adjustment bolt out of the alternator, and swing the alternator down.
The easiest way I found to access it is to disconnect the battery, take the adjustment bolt out of the alternator, and swing the alternator down.
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There are drain holes located under the battery trays. There may be more that I'm not aware of.
Oh yeah! The chassis! Mine has a huge opening in the middle as well as the two under the battery trays. I was thinking I needed to figure a way to cover all those with hardware cloth or something. I will at least get a bag of mothballs to put in and under mine to keep the rodents out.
Firebrand
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How about setting aluminum window screening over those openings? Would still allow drainage and airflow.
lonesouth
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Was out in the yard last weekend and cranked the MEPs to verify cold weather operation. The house set cranked with some complaint, no preheat and 28 degrees, but then ran right up. The other unit's main fuel pump did not kick on. I am planning to replace the return fuel line anyway, and will investigate it further later on.
Should I fill the tank with fresh diesel and leave it, to prevent condensation, or siphon out the fuel and use it in the house MEP?
Should I fill the tank with fresh diesel and leave it, to prevent condensation, or siphon out the fuel and use it in the house MEP?
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I lean towards emptying it so long as you wipe the tank out before you put fuel in it again.
Firebrand
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I would think condensation is so common in FL as to be required by law, natural and man-made laws.
I agree, clean, wipe, and refill.
I agree, clean, wipe, and refill.
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Thats the best way to stop it. Keep em filled up.
lonesouth
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Well, I was able to sell my sequoia and free up some space in the garage. The next project to tackle is getting my bronco brakes replaced, but after that the trailer mounted generator gets my attention. First will be moving the M103 trailer into the garage and cutting out all the stuff I don't need: landing gear, axle, springs, hangers, supports, air brakes, e-brakes, wiring, etc. I'll pretty much be taking it down to frame. From there, I'll get the frame sand blasted and lay down a coat of Behr exterior paint. Order a replacement 3,500# axle, fuel tank hangers and retainers, wiring harness, lights, jack, 2" coupler, etc. Then on to repairing the generator and repainting it. Get the generator and fuel tank mounted. Add a distribution panel, ground rod, fire extinguisher, and lastly, sell it.
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What will you do AFTER lunch?
You're never going to recoup the time and investment you put into all those trailer mods. I would get the genset running good and sell it as is.
lonesouth
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good point. after thinking about it, I'm just going to cut out the extra stuff on the trailer, mostly brakes. Then I will rewire and sell as is with the stock axle/tires/lunette. May paint it without blasting.
lonesouth
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was running the house generator today, loaded by the house to between 25-75%. Shutdown after about 40 minutes with low oil pressure. Attempted to restart, shut right back down. Digging into the TM this week to troubleshoot. What's the most common culprit? I know this group knows more about these than the people who made the TM 
Oil level shows full.
Temp indicated around 180.
when i first started it, oil pressure showed around 40psi.
Oil level shows full.
Temp indicated around 180.
when i first started it, oil pressure showed around 40psi.
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Is it low on the gauge?