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I Bought a Military Surplus Diesel Generator to Power my House

Waldo's World・28 minutes read

A military surplus generator model MEP 803a was purchased at auction for $3600 to power a house, featuring 10 Kow of power and detailed maintenance and installation procedures. Plans to convert the generator into a smart generator with software control were discussed for future improvements and notifications.

Insights

  • Military surplus generator MEP 803a, purchased at a Gov Planet auction for $3600, offers affordability and reliability with a 10 Kow power rating, low hours of use, and recent internal inspection and maintenance.
  • Detailed process of connecting the generator to a house involves careful wiring, fuel line installation, and power transfer setup, emphasizing safety precautions and utilizing specific materials for efficient operation, setting the stage for a future smart generator conversion with software control and notification capabilities.

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Recent questions

  • What type of generator is recommended for powering a house?

    A military surplus generator, such as the MEP 803a, is a reliable and affordable option for powering an entire house.

  • What should be considered when purchasing a generator for household use?

    Caution should be exercised when buying larger capacity generators for US household use, as they may not be necessary and could lead to inefficiencies.

  • What maintenance steps should be taken for a generator?

    Regular maintenance steps include checking and replacing filters, inspecting the air filter, changing the oil and coolant, and conducting electrical system diagnoses to ensure proper functioning.

  • How should a generator be connected to a house?

    To connect a generator to a house, a concrete slab should be poured for placement, output terminals should be prepared, and a proper installation process should be followed with safety precautions in mind.

  • What additional features can be added to a generator for smart control?

    Consider converting a standby generator into a computer-controlled smart generator by writing software for control and receiving notifications for events such as overheating, fuel depletion, or power generation.

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Summary

00:00

Military surplus generator MEP 803a for home

  • Military surplus generator chosen for powering entire house due to affordability and reliability, purchased at a Gov Planet auction.
  • Generator model: MEP 803a, caution advised when buying larger capacity generators for US household use.
  • Generator rated for 10 Kow of power, single-phase or three-phase, with low indicated hours of 535.
  • Cosmetic damage noted on housing, purchased for $3600, a significant discount from market price.
  • Generator inspected internally, featuring a 4-cylinder diesel engine by Onin, battery tray empty, oil filter recently replaced.
  • Coolant expansion tank filled, engine overhauled in 2013, control panel with gauges and indicator lamps for monitoring.
  • Output terminals prepared for house connection, concrete slab poured for generator placement, ensuring no freezing until 500 PSI compressive strength.
  • Oil change process detailed, Shell Rotella T6 10w30 synthetic oil used, coolant replaced with Xerx heavy-duty extended life coolant.
  • Electrical system diagnosis conducted, gauge issues identified, wiring and sensor checks performed to rectify temperature gauge problem.
  • Air filter inspected, fuel filter and water separator changed, installation process for connecting generator to house outlined with safety precautions.

16:56

"Generator Installation: Wiring, Gauge, and Outlet"

  • The house is built using plywood instead of particle board.
  • A 2in conduit will be used to run four items: a generator power cable, 3 power wires, a ground wire, and control circuitry wires.
  • A 3/8 fuel line will ensure a constant fuel supply for the generator.
  • A standard four-wire cable and 12/2 non-metallic wire will be used for custom control circuitry and powering a 20 amp outlet.
  • A new water temperature gauge was purchased for the generator.
  • Testing the coolant temperature gauge and power generation is essential.
  • Wiring diagrams were consulted to identify and fix an issue with the AC circuit interrupter switch.
  • The generator was successfully fixed, providing 121 volts and 243 volts output.
  • Cables were protected with a nylon sleeve and connected to lugs for power transfer.
  • Installing a 20 amp outlet involved stripping underground-rated wire, grounding, and connecting wires to the outlet and circuit breaker.

34:52

"Smart Generator: Software Control and Notifications"

  • Plan to convert standby generator into a computer-controlled smart generator
  • Intend to write software for controlling the generator and receiving notifications
  • Notifications could include generator turning on, overheating, or running out of fuel
  • Stay tuned for part two for more details
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