Generator side box

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Elroythekid, Oct 23, 2020.

  1. Elroythekid

    Elroythekid Road Train Member

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    I'm looking at the 3500 watt predictor generator and would like to find a box that opens quickly to vent it but will seal it up from the elements when in the road. Anybody have something they found works great?
     
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  3. blairandgretchen

    blairandgretchen Road Train Member

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    Where were you going to mount it?
     
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  4. LameMule

    LameMule Road Train Member

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    I've owned a few generators and I would recommend a Honda eu2000 or 3000 with eco throttle. They are extremely reliable and very quiet. You can get an auxiliary fuel tank that extends your run time out to 24hrs per tank.
    They're just clean, quiet and efficient.
     
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  5. blairandgretchen

    blairandgretchen Road Train Member

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    They’re also high price.

    I still have the EU2000, the auxiliary tank was a royal PITA - they’re not supposed to be run with them either.

    A Chanpion 4000 watt for $400 with a 4 gallon tank mounted half way down the trailer bothered nobody.
     
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  6. LameMule

    LameMule Road Train Member

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    Anyone parked near you when you run some garbage generac style rattle contraption will be very appreciative of your savings.
     
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  7. blairandgretchen

    blairandgretchen Road Train Member

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    Think about it - it’s half way down a trailer. Who is it going to bother?

    A Reefer or APU next to you is more of an annoyance unless you nose in.

    Generac is a rattle trap? I’ve got a 14kw Generac standby on auto transfer at the house, didn’t realize they had such poor reviews.

    I run a 7kw Onan QD , but I understand why guys don’t want to spend $10k+ on a generator.
     
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  8. LameMule

    LameMule Road Train Member

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    Generac used to be one of the most common non enclosed 3500w generators. They were notorious for being extremely noisy and rattling apart. Obviously a modern enclosed 14k or 7k will be of higher quality than a $400 deal from home depot or harbor freight.
    I'm probably just weird for being concerned about how my comfort affects those around me. I'm just not comfortable with letting a machine scream through the night when I could just as easily have a similar but different machine run quietly and efficiently.
    I could also be completely wrong in my assumptions about the $400 generator as well, maybe they're far nicer than I recall. When I was running generator's the Honda was the quietest and most efficient option available with Yamaha coming a close second. Plenty of neighbors had non enclosed harbor freight/home depot units and they were despised by many (neighbors and their generators).
    I'm recommending the Honda for the same reason that you don't have a 12v71 powered ex military backup generator at your home. Sure you can get one cheap somewhere at an auction but do you really want to hear it all night?
     
  9. blairandgretchen

    blairandgretchen Road Train Member

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    The Predators, from Harbor Freight, seem to mimic the Honda range - if that’s what @Elroythekid is referring to. I’d be interested to hear the review. Especially on dB level.

    I’m also very conscious about my neighbors at Truck stops - the Onan QD barely makes more than a hum. Cycling reefers I avoid parking next to, and APU’s that have the exhaust routed to expel gases under the adjacent trucks sleeper are another bother.
     
  10. LameMule

    LameMule Road Train Member

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    I haven't searched for recommended generators on here but I'm sure it would be helpful in a situation like this to have a thread with real world experiences of various setups.
    If it saves just one person from parking next to a screaming exhaust directly pointing at them it's worth it.
    I value my sleep!
     
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  11. Elroythekid

    Elroythekid Road Train Member

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    Left side in front of my drives
    Edit; and it could easily be the right side also. Doesn't really matter, both sides are empty, I have skirts but plan on removing them. I'd like to have a box on both sides, the other for more storage.
     
    Last edited: Oct 23, 2020
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