Yes, its a single phase compressor. From what I read from others it seems my MEP-003A is better suited to running the compressor ( if the need should ever arise ) than the 803a's. The -003A will start it and run it, but the 803A does exactly what AOR said. It bogs down, chuggs and smokes with the %gage pegged. Apparently ( like others have said ) the -003A has more reserve power than the 803A.
To get back to the issue at hand, I now have one of the units running perfectly. Stepping up the load gradually now has it running at 120%+ indefinitely and 133% for 15 or so minutes before the overload trips, so that one is good to go.
I didn't do the math as far as percentages go, but by adding up the advertised load of everything I had running it should be 13,850 watts!
I've got a copy of the TM and will soon start looking into the other unit that trips the "Short Circuit" light after about 70% load. Note: I'm using the same resistive load as I used on the other machine so I'mm 100% positive its not a short circuit, its a problem with the warning lights on the genny.
Hopefully I'll get a chance to work on it this weekend!
Thanks everyone...