In the market for an 803A

[Fungal]

I live off-grid. Solar covers almost all of our power needs, but if we get a couple of days of rain in a row, we need some generator power to charge batteries.

I've been using a propane-fired genset for the last year (I know... I know...) to cover shortfalls, and have put about 300 hours on it since buying it new. Unfortunately, it burned up the brushes, destroyed the rotor, and self-destructed about a week ago. It is more expensive to fix than to replace, and the manufacturer is already saying they won't warranty it, so I've decided to move to diesel as generator fuel.

My power needs will be filled nicely by an 803A (when I'm charging batteries, it is just under a 10kW load).

I've looked around, and can't seem to find the answer, but does anybody know the actual spacing of the forklift pockets on the 803A's skid? My tractor doesn't have enough lift capacity to use the front forks, but the rear 3-point will lift it, and I need to get a set of rear forks.

Then I need to find an 803A in reasonable shape.

 

[Light in the Dark]

You can infer the pocket dimensions by this photo



If you already have forks for the front of your tractor, just get a 3PT to Quick Attach accessory to use the forks you already own

https://www.amazon.com/YITAMOTOR-Category-Universal-Conversion-Attachments/dp/B0FY2NW6QR/ref=sr_1_25?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.mMuwCs2RHNmdrNK5NWlFI9Yv0MtYUGVuMXzdFLI61gt0D8dqemaxy8X2fAC_GAvosh4jc5MwlTLdcsSvKQqpUJGYCDzFxz4lwp0Hqe3g3czUGa8CotqTMbnCs63WDf1l06xHpnwihOL_MBdko_uD126u02djyhsTIpDOUujdXiHSev4w8wpXXcE8cziRpF1bMjdE0nBtiiQH0c_nJ0hdKNQJCE7jICdqNKHlOIgtfgZ453V4D7bC3qieBWmWMSKORxOTqIMbn2Uqwhp6j-PLQVqHoSbRrLdOvRFykJwj80Y.B7K1gg1n9FfBH7yW4-urXg-KK527UdH4w6OJehpUbuQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=3+point+quick+hitch+adapter&qid=1769448737&sr=8-25&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.5998aa40-ec6f-4947-a68f-cd087fee0848

 

[Fungal]

Perfect… that’s what I was looking for. Couldn’t seem to find that… where was that diagram?

 

[Light in the Dark]

Its buried in the ARMY TM 9-6115-642-24

 

[WWRD99]

I live off-grid. Solar covers almost all of our power needs, but if we get a couple of days of rain in a row, we need some generator power to charge batteries.

I've been using a propane-fired genset for the last year (I know... I know...) to cover shortfalls, and have put about 300 hours on it since buying it new. Unfortunately, it burned up the brushes, destroyed the rotor, and self-destructed about a week ago. It is more expensive to fix than to replace, and the manufacturer is already saying they won't warranty it, so I've decided to move to diesel as generator fuel.

My power needs will be filled nicely by an 803A (when I'm charging batteries, it is just under a 10kW load).

I've looked around, and can't seem to find the answer, but does anybody know the actual spacing of the forklift pockets on the 803A's skid? My tractor doesn't have enough lift capacity to use the front forks, but the rear 3-point will lift it, and I need to get a set of rear forks.

Then I need to find an 803A in reasonable shape.

I have a question. You want 10kw. Does your battery bank charge in 220 or 110? Get around 60 amps at 220 and 110 at 120 volts. Do you really need the 803? These things are highly overbuilt. Fuel usage is something to look at. I do not live in the south but storing diesel can be a pain in hot temps and high humidity. Do you all have red diesel there for no road tax you can get to use? Do you have a way to store it yet? I thought I needed a 10kw to run my house but it is way to big. I am just throwing it out there that an 802 might be a better choice just for the less fuel use during running. Maybe start a thread on that question or search that up on here. I see you are running about 300 hours a year. The 803 will use about 300 gallons doing that. The 802 will be less per hour but you'd have to run it a little more. The 802 can cost less as well. You might be able to find one on a trailer still. IDK just seeing what you think. The guy that posted above might have one too. FYI 300 hours on one of these is a blink of the eye. You will have it for a very long time.

 

[Light in the Dark]

Its buried in the ARMY TM 9-6115-642-24

I appreciate whichever moderator updated my post. Turns out the page with the technical drawing has a typo in the header of that page.

 

[Fungal]

I have a question. You want 10kw. Does your battery bank charge in 220 or 110? Get around 60 amps at 220 and 110 at 120 volts. Do you really need the 803? These things are highly overbuilt. Fuel usage is something to look at. I do not live in the south but storing diesel can be a pain in hot temps and high humidity. Do you all have red diesel there for no road tax you can get to use? Do you have a way to store it yet? I thought I needed a 10kw to run my house but it is way to big. I am just throwing it out there that an 802 might be a better choice just for the less fuel use during running. Maybe start a thread on that question or search that up on here. I see you are running about 300 hours a year. The 803 will use about 300 gallons doing that. The 802 will be less per hour but you'd have to run it a little more. The 802 can cost less as well. You might be able to find one on a trailer still. IDK just seeing what you think. The guy that posted above might have one too. FYI 300 hours on one of these is a blink of the eye. You will have it for a very long time.

Fair questions.

We've been off-grid since last year, so we've accumulated enough data to have a pretty decent idea of generator sizing. My previous generator was a 12kW Kohler, and it would load at about 10kW when maximally charging batteries. We have the built-in charger from our inverter, which pulls about 5kW, and a secondary charger than pulls an additional 5kW (and can be adjusted down if we are pulling additional load above that).

We are out in the country, and AG diesel is widely available. I have an 80-gal aux tank, a 40-gal transfer tank, and I plan to add another 250gal tank once we're up-and-running. Diesel keeps fairly well here if you treat it with fungicide, and I can burn it in other equipment.

There's also the economics of it. The Kohler was burning 2-gal/hr of Propane at full load. My last Propane delivery was close to $5/gal delivered... so that's $10/hr in fuel costs on Propane. Diesel will cost me $2.60/hr for the same power output. A 75% savings on fuel costs is considerable.

 

[Guyfang]

I bet it was Santa.

 

[FarmingSmallKubota]

Fair questions.

We've been off-grid since last year, so we've accumulated enough data to have a pretty decent idea of generator sizing. My previous generator was a 12kW Kohler, and it would load at about 10kW when maximally charging batteries. We have the built-in charger from our inverter, which pulls about 5kW, and a secondary charger than pulls an additional 5kW (and can be adjusted down if we are pulling additional load above that).

We are out in the country, and AG diesel is widely available. I have an 80-gal aux tank, a 40-gal transfer tank, and I plan to add another 250gal tank once we're up-and-running. Diesel keeps fairly well here if you treat it with fungicide, and I can burn it in other equipment.

There's also the economics of it. The Kohler was burning 2-gal/hr of Propane at full load. My last Propane delivery was close to $5/gal delivered... so that's $10/hr in fuel costs on Propane. Diesel will cost me $2.60/hr for the same power output. A 75% savings on fuel costs is considerable.

Thats some expensive propane. Just filled up saturday before the big storm for $1.59. Hope you find the Generator that suits you. Personally have a soft spot for my AMMPS 1040 as its more fuel efficient. PM me if interested in a new one

 

[WWRD99]

Fair questions.

We've been off-grid since last year, so we've accumulated enough data to have a pretty decent idea of generator sizing. My previous generator was a 12kW Kohler, and it would load at about 10kW when maximally charging batteries. We have the built-in charger from our inverter, which pulls about 5kW, and a secondary charger than pulls an additional 5kW (and can be adjusted down if we are pulling additional load above that).

We are out in the country, and AG diesel is widely available. I have an 80-gal aux tank, a 40-gal transfer tank, and I plan to add another 250gal tank once we're up-and-running. Diesel keeps fairly well here if you treat it with fungicide, and I can burn it in other equipment.

There's also the economics of it. The Kohler was burning 2-gal/hr of Propane at full load. My last Propane delivery was close to $5/gal delivered... so that's $10/hr in fuel costs on Propane. Diesel will cost me $2.60/hr for the same power output. A 75% savings on fuel costs is considerable.

I am glad you have the diesel side setup. That can be the biggest pain for some. There are many places trying to get the red diesel difficult. I'd think the extra money you will spend on a 803 will be saved over time not spending that higher price for propane plus it is not as efficient. Over half the price you were spending is a good thing! The one question I still have is did your old propane genset charge with 220 volts or 110? I don't know much about charging the batteries you have just trying to understand if you need the 803 or if you're only going by KW. How many amps did your old genset put out? These gensets are highly underrated.

 

[Fungal]

The old generator put out 240VAC. The inverter is an Outback Power Radian 8048, and required 240V on the generator input.

 

[WWRD99]

The old generator put out 240VAC. The inverter is an Outback Power Radian 8048, and required 240V on the generator input.

That's great! So it is all setup to run the genset for about an hour to charge you back up for less than half the fuel cost. Can't beat that. I hope you find one soon! I know of some in Maryland and Pa has some every week if you are up to fixing one up.

 

[Fungal]

I must say, it was a pleasure talking with Ziggy today. He had exactly what I was looking for, and the transaction was easy.

I am still generator-less… but not for much longer.

 

[WWRD99]

I must say, it was a pleasure talking with Ziggy today. He had exactly what I was looking for, and the transaction was easy.

I am still generator-less… but not for much longer.

Nice!!! Waiting for delivery and install pics!!!!

 

[Fungal]

While we’re on the subject, is there a place that sells physical printed manuals for these gensets?

I know you can get digital copies, but I prefer having a physical copy.

*** EDIT ***

In the past I’ve used Printme1.com, though I’m not sure if that’s the best/cheapest option.

 

[WWRD99]

While we’re on the subject, is there a place that sells physical printed manuals for these gensets?

I know you can get digital copies, but I prefer having a physical copy.

*** EDIT ***

In the past I’ve used Printme1.com, though I’m not sure if that’s the best/cheapest option.

The Tm is on this site and all related info...sticky in the TM section. I am not sure but you may be able to save it on a zip stick and take it to staples to get printed. There could be some on ebay as many Tms I have seen have been printed already on there. I do like having both as if my computer failed I wouldn't have any info at all.

 

[Fungal]

Right?

It always struck me how some folks buy these generators because they are EMP-proof… and then they keep all of their maintenance/repair/operations manuals on CDROM.

 

[Guyfang]

The problem with buying a TM from the internet is that it might be an older TM, or a TM that has not had the required TM changes added to it. If that's the case, you are using TM's that are missing information, or containing misinformation. The TM's in our TM forum are the most up to date TM's, that are allowed to be published and distributed to non government sources. Down load them and find the best place to get them printed. Best is not always cheapest. But then you get what you pay for.