Using Generator

I'm currently using a regular window a/c like you would use in a house window. I think it's around 12k-13k BTU. I power it with a Honda EU200i generator.

 

If you are concerned about carb compliance. Some of the Honda gensets are carb compliant. Also Honda does make an extended run time tank that allows 24 hour operation.

A friend of mine (Glen Dewitt) runs his 2kw genset during the common ground fair here in Maine in September. His genset gets refueled every 8 hours or so with a stock tank.

 

I run the apu's and generators. The apu's are more convient but lucky to break even before having problems with them. The larger diesel generators use alot more fuel than the gas units and cost 4 times as much.
Best for the money is a honda 2K.
Most durable and conveint is a large diesel generator with as little electonics on it as possible.

Even with having a diesel generator, I still will run the big engine when the temperature gets below 15 degrees outside.

 

I have webasto, Im fine with that. When I'll able to run Midwest-my homestate, I'll add it. One thing I'm concerned is should I take thermo king tripac or Rigmaster?

 

I guess what I can't picture is how you would mount a household window AC unit on a truck. Anyone post a pic or something as to how you manage this?

Thanks in advance.

 

I seen a truck that has the household ac.

 

I have a household AC mounted through the back of the sleeper (06 Freightliner Century). Have a 3500w Champion generator (second one, first lasted 2012; this one has lasted all last year and working this winter as well).

Mine has about a 3.5-4g tank, and I carry a 5g red jug. Runs at about 0.2-0.25gph. So, a full tank usually lasts about 18 hours. Unless it's really hot, or I use a lot of electricity. My A/C is underpowered, so my generator never runs at a higher speed usually. However, the A/C in 100F weather or hotter can't cool much. For then, I have the top and bottom bunks, and I have the top bunk down with heavy blankets acting as curtains to keep the bunk cool. I've been in 110F weather in Arizona and just run my generator and AC and slept fine in the middle of the day.

I'm actually using it right now in Florida (though it's a lot cooler once the sun went down, I don't feel like shutting it off). I wired outlets into my truck, so I have power. And since I run an cable through the sleeper to the generator with a plug end, I can use shore-power whenever I can find it as well.

All in, I spent $100 for the A/C, $300 for the first generator, and $330 for this second generator. Only complaint is when it's really hot out lugging the gas jug to a gas pump at a truck stop. I found Flying Js and TAs tend to be the best (usually a lot of them have the two pumps relatively close together).

I've gotten 3 DOT inspections with this setup, and no one has ever said anything about it.

 

I appreciate the info, that's good to know. The APU that I was looking at is 8950...that's a lot of running to pay for that puppy. You have less than a thousand into it and that's a great savings.

 

I plan to buy a new generator this spring/summer as well. I don't protect mine from the elements (became too burdensome). If I buy a new generator every year for 10 years, I still paid far less than one APU. and best of all, they all have warranties if they fail, and what little 'maintenance' I do is topping off the oil (after a while, it will start burning through oil). And at most, I put a quart in for the whole year last year.

I'll try to get some pics of my setup once I get my truck a little cleaner. Looks likes a mess from two snow storms and then some light rain.

 

I would appreciate that...I know how those snow storms go...tough to keep a truck any kind of presentable in that kind of weather...