MEP-8xx stainless steel screw information

[sandmanxx]

You need to take these things apart 5 days a week. Then you would know real joy. I had not one, but two cordless screwdrivers. Wore one of those baby's plumb out. Worth every penny I paid for them. For extra credit, you need to take apart and reassemble a MEP-806.

So what is your ending vote / option on: rivnut / cage - slip nut ??

 

[Guyfang]

I like the cage nut best. It gives you that last little bit of play. Sometimes when I was putting the darn things back together, everything just almost lined up, but not quite. The riv-nut cant be moved a millimeter one way or the other. WHEN, things line up just right, the riv-nut would be great. But that happens about as often as me drinking bad beer.

The self locking nuts are a grand PITA. You can tell how often a set has been repaired by taking a magnet and "fishing" in the bottom of a generator. Sometimes the results are fantastic.

 

[sandmanxx]

I like the cage nut best. It gives you that last little bit of play. Sometimes when I was putting the darn things back together, everything just almost lined up, but not quite. The riv-nut cant be moved a millimeter one way or the other. WHEN, things line up just right, the riv-nut would be great. But that happens about as often as me drinking bad beer.

The self locking nuts are a grand PITA. You can tell how often a set has been repaired by taking a magnet and "fishing" in the bottom of a generator. Sometimes the results are fantastic.

THATS WHAT I THOUGHT YOU WOULD SAY..

WHAT FLAVOR / TYPE / OF CAGE NUT DID THEY START USING?? SLIP NUT?? OR CAGE NUT THATS "CLICKS" HAS TABS TO INSERT IN SCREW HOLE?? PICTURE WOULD BE SWEET..

 

[DieselAddict]

The ones on mine have the clips.

 

[Guyfang]

Clips=caged nuts. Sadly, as long as I work on these sets, none ever had any kind of self attaching nut. I like the ones with tabs that you press into the hole, and it clicks when properly inserted.

 

[Dwnorton1]

Well now not so sure about riv nuts. Guyfang brought up good point. I just not going to deal with non captive nuts. I am headed down riv nut road in next few weeks. I will advise of trial and tribulations at that time. I do like the nuts that snap in place but unsure if they would fit without modification

 

[csheath]

I bought a pack of aluminum rivnuts but never got around to buying any screws or installing them. Unit is missing a few but probably won't come back apart JUST to try the rivnuts out.

Having seen what happens to SS in aluminum I don't expect that combination to work a whole lot better than regular. Unlike metals don't seem to get along in any combination.

 

[rustystud]

I bought a pack of aluminum rivnuts but never got around to buying any screws or installing them. Unit is missing a few but probably won't come back apart JUST to try the rivnuts out.

Having seen what happens to SS in aluminum I don't expect that combination to work a whole lot better than regular. Unlike metals don't seem to get along in any combination.

Actually Stainless Steel is the best type of bolt/nut to use on aluminum. When I was building deck winches at Kolstrand Marine all the bolts and nuts where stainless steel. Anything else would corrode so bad it wouldn't last a week out on the ocean !!!

 

[eatont9999]

Has anyone tried using sheet metal screws on these generators? I was expecting to see them when I disassembled the top cover but to my surprise there were nuts and bolts holding it together.

 

[Guyfang]

There are NO sheet metal screws on ANY TQG.

 

[JackMS]

Any good websites to buy these from? I went to my local tractor supply, Lowes and Home Depot with no luck. I just bought an 803 and had to pull water pump and radiator. Would like to go back together with caged nuts in the difficult spots and replace everything with stainless. Had some bolts break from the rust during disassembly.

 

[DieselAddict]

I use these bolts. You'll need washers since the heads are a little smaller than the factory bolts.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FAU8FDE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Daybreak]

Any good websites to buy these from? I went to my local tractor supply, Lowes and Home Depot with no luck. I just bought an 803 and had to pull water pump and radiator. Would like to go back together with caged nuts in the difficult spots and replace everything with stainless. Had some bolts break from the rust during disassembly.

Howdy,
It will depend on what part of the country you are in. Fastenal has all these pieces for ordering.

#10-32 x 1/2" Hex - Unslotted Drive Indented Hex Washer Head Grade 18-8 Stainless Steel Machine Screw
https://www.fastenal.com/products/details/0174583

#10 18-8 Stainless Steel Medium Split Lock Washer
https://www.fastenal.com/products/details/1171059

#10 18-8 Stainless Steel Small OD Flat Washer
https://www.fastenal.com/products/details/71009

#10-32 Grade 18-8 Stainless Steel with External Tooth Lockwasher K-Lock Nut
https://www.fastenal.com/products/details/1170923

1/4"-20 x 3/4" Hex - Unslotted Drive Indented Hex Washer Head Grade 18-8 Stainless Steel Machine Screw
https://www.fastenal.com/products/details/0174594

1/4" 18-8 Stainless Steel Small OD Flat Washer
https://www.fastenal.com/products/details/1171013

1/4"-20 Grade 18-8 Stainless Steel with External Tooth Lockwasher K-Lock Nut
https://www.fastenal.com/products/details/1170925

 

[Tokiozulu]

For those using SS nuts and bolts - I recommend using Tef-gel. This will stop any reaction between the ally and the SS, especially good to use in salt water environment. Ask any aluminum yacht owner. Will also prevent threads gauling.

 

[Daybreak]

For those using SS nuts and bolts - I recommend using Tef-gel. This will stop any reaction between the ally and the SS, especially good to use in salt water environment. Ask any aluminum yacht owner. Will also prevent threads gauling.

Howdy,
The panels are aluminum. All the screws are SS into SS nuts.

 

[Daybreak]

Howdy,

Fastenal has all these pieces for ordering.

#10-32 x 1/2" Hex - Unslotted Drive Indented Hex Washer Head Grade 18-8 Stainless Steel Machine Screw
https://www.fastenal.com/products/details/0174583

#10 18-8 Stainless Steel Medium Split Lock Washer
https://www.fastenal.com/products/details/1171059

#10 18-8 Stainless Steel Small OD Flat Washer
https://www.fastenal.com/products/details/71009

#10-32 Grade 18-8 Stainless Steel with External Tooth Lockwasher K-Lock Nut
https://www.fastenal.com/products/details/1170923

1/4"-20 x 3/4" Hex - Unslotted Drive Indented Hex Washer Head Grade 18-8 Stainless Steel Machine Screw
https://www.fastenal.com/products/details/0174594

1/4" 18-8 Stainless Steel Small OD Flat Washer
https://www.fastenal.com/products/details/1171013

1/4"-20 Grade 18-8 Stainless Steel with External Tooth Lockwasher K-Lock Nut
https://www.fastenal.com/products/details/1170925


The stainless steel screws which I have listed, are the exact replacements.
For instance;
#10-32 x 1/2" Hex - Unslotted Drive Indented Hex Washer Head Grade 18-8 Stainless Steel Machine Screw = is the same screw used in 80% of the panels on a MEP-802A and MEP-803A.

You could use whatever you want. Since the panel skins are aluminum, you do not want a serrated screw. You could also find screws which are similar like slotted?, not indented? no built in flange/washer?

 

[Daybreak]

Howdy,

Fastenal has all these pieces for ordering.

#10-32 x 1/2" Hex - Unslotted Drive Indented Hex Washer Head Grade 18-8 Stainless Steel Machine Screw
https://www.fastenal.com/products/details/0174583

#10 18-8 Stainless Steel Medium Split Lock Washer
https://www.fastenal.com/products/details/1171059

#10 18-8 Stainless Steel Small OD Flat Washer
https://www.fastenal.com/products/details/71009

#10-32 Grade 18-8 Stainless Steel with External Tooth Lockwasher K-Lock Nut
https://www.fastenal.com/products/details/1170923

1/4"-20 x 3/4" Hex - Unslotted Drive Indented Hex Washer Head Grade 18-8 Stainless Steel Machine Screw
https://www.fastenal.com/products/details/0174594

1/4" 18-8 Stainless Steel Small OD Flat Washer
https://www.fastenal.com/products/details/1171013

1/4"-20 Grade 18-8 Stainless Steel with External Tooth Lockwasher K-Lock Nut
https://www.fastenal.com/products/details/1170925


The stainless steel screws which I have listed, are the exact replacements.
For instance;
#10-32 x 1/2" Hex - Unslotted Drive Indented Hex Washer Head Grade 18-8 Stainless Steel Machine Screw = is the same screw used in 80% of the panels on a MEP-802A and MEP-803A.

You could use whatever you want. Since the panel skins are aluminum, you do not want a serrated screw. You could also find screws which are similar like slotted?, not indented? no built in flange/washer?

 

[Dieselmeister]

I get all my stainless fasteners from this place https://www.albanycountyfasteners.com . They have just about anything you need in stainless

 

[jdmilam]

If you wish to go the "cage nut" route.
https://www.fastenal.com/products/details/11544407?term=cage+nut+10-32
Not SS and a bit involved. Requires a .375" square mounting hole and the panel that holds the nut should be embossed .100".

 

[devilphrog]

I've just started using rivnuts, however placement is key as there is no "give" once they are secured. Furthermore, I'm going to attempt to use some ss torx pan head screws and washers next go around.