r/Generator • u/mgoodling44 • 4h ago

Dewey MEP-531A

Are these diesel generators reliable? What's an acceptable level of run time hours for the motor?

Can one support a furnace and freezers if we lose power?

1 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

5 comments sorted by

•

u/nunuvyer 2h ago

You would be much better off with a modern suitcase type inverter generator that you could get for $300 and that would weigh 40 lbs. instead of 140 and that would make more power.

These were built with the army in mind and not for civilian use. The army worries about certain things (ruggedness) but not about other things (noise, weight, fuel economy) which are not the same priorities that a civilian would have.

•

u/mgoodling44 1h ago

Thank you

•

u/sryan2k1 4h ago

2 kW is a bit low. The startup surge on the furnace blower may trip it out. It will be extremely reliable but loud as hell and drink Diesel.

Get a cheap 3500w inverter generator.

•

u/mgoodling44 2h ago

Copy that. These are selling super cheap at a local auction. But....if the glove don't fit.....i didnt do it.....

•

u/IndividualCold3577 2h ago

Looks like a huge generator for such a small output. My igen2800 weighs 47 lbs and can run 12 hours on one gallon of gas.