Picked up a 10KW Military Surplus Generator

TractorGuy · Dec 9, 2016

Been wanting a generator for years and finally decided to go for a surplus diesel gen set. This makes sense to me since I keep some diesel on the property already. Of course these things are a crap shoot but most stories I've read on them have been positive. If it runs out okay I plan to get a storage tank and start having fuel delivered. I will be doing a lot of backhoe work on my property next year so I should have no problem rotating the fuel and keeping it fresh.

Machine is a MEP-803A Tactical Quiet 10KW unit. Bought through Gov Liquidation for just under $1200 after fees and tax. Showing 2617 hours on the meter and has a reset decal indicating it has been rebuilt in some fashion. I have read they sometimes replace the hour meter when they reset or install a new engine so it may have more hours on the genset itself. Haven't even opened the document holder to see if it has details yet.

From what I've read these produce 10KW at 80% load and can run 24/7 at that in the desert. Higher loads are possible for shorter runs. 100% is about 12KW and I have seen videos where people loaded them to 125%.

Here it is loaded for the trip home from Atlanta.

George2615 · Dec 9, 2016

Just doing a search and found this. Thought it might be of use to you.

MEP803A Manuals

EddieWalker · Dec 9, 2016

Where do you get parts for it?

roadhunter · Dec 9, 2016

Sweet. I look forward to seeing how it works for you.

George2615 · Dec 9, 2016

EddieWalker said:
Where do you get parts for it?

The link I posted for manuals also sells these generators and parts for them. Plus I see many parts on Ebay for them.

Snobdds · Dec 9, 2016

How did you find it?

George2615 · Dec 9, 2016

Snobdds said:
How did you find it?

There are Gov't surplus auctions all over the country. Google a search for Gov't auctions or MEP 803A auctions. I looked after I saw JDGuys post. There's several online auctions in the next 2 weeks within 200 miles of me selling the same generators but the starting bid is way higher than what he bought his for. They list the hours and a pretty good operating description. It appears several people have bought them at auction then repost them for sale at double what they paid on Ebay.

Soldier415 · Dec 9, 2016

Be interested to know if the fuel economy is worth the price. I rarely lose power but have a dual fuel 7kw running/9kw starting rated portable generator.

TractorGuy · Dec 10, 2016

A word of warning on the Gov Liquidation auctions. READ the terms and conditions. They do not allow sniping like ebay. The auction ending time is a moving target and will extend as long as last minute bidding continues. They also add the posted buyer's premium AND sales tax for the state/county where it is located. I had this won at just over $700 at the posted closing time and I'm surprised the other bidders gave up so easy. Auction end extended several times. Final auction price was $985 which ended up $1185 with fees.

The listed fuel economy on these is .9 gal. per hour. Users report more like .7 gal. per hour. Current off road diesel would cost me about $255 to run it 24/7 for 7 days. Cheaper than a hotel and could run most everything in my house. Will probably have to turn off the AC/Heat to run the hot water heater. 50 gallon, 9KW, hot water heater takes less than an hour to heat and stays hot all day through several showers.

justinramani · Dec 10, 2016

Parts are easy to come by on flee bay. These Gen sets use lister petter/Onan engines. They are far more technical than the old MEP Gen sets. That said - they are much more quiet. Gov liquidations is good source for items, but be sure that you know what you are getting yourself into.