Idling at night

1- In extreme cold if you don't high idle the engine won't stay warm enough, resulting in the emissions system needing more frequent regens. Probably not an issue this time of year.

 

I don't know anything about a inverter charger.

Back in the 90s. I had a roommate that worked for a company that was working on converting a Geo metro
to electric. And explained the short range to me. He took me for a test ride one day when he brought it home for some demo meeting with some investors and higher ups.

I asked why they didn't have a charging system. Like fuel powered vehicles do. He said something about it not possible to throw current in while it's being drawn out.

35 Years later. Evs are sold. But they still don't have a charging system other then regenerative breaking if that system is still being used.

I did try that idea though. Later on. Inverter connected to battery and charger plugged in to inverter to charge same batteries. It was a failed experiment.

 

I used to sleep in my truck 2-4 nights a week. If the temp was reasonable I'd pre cool or heat the bunk and shut it off. if it was stupid weather I'd run it. is it really necessary to have heating, cooling or power every night all night?

 

Apu vs genny vs idle is one of those debates along the lines of ford vs chevy vs dodge. Your going to get a ton of opinions all over the place. And none are right and none are wrong. Its going to boil down to what works best for you. So listen to everyone, make a list of pros and cons, and decide from there.

in MY opinion and as i see it. APUs are going to be overall better. They are designed to do the job. Have several weight exemptions which can be handy, are going to be easier to care for and service, and generally speaking are less of a hastle in most cases. The trade off however, is more obscure brands can be unreliable, brands like thermocant crypacks and carrier coolfails are halariously unreliable and expensive. Brands like green that use off the self parts are much more reliable in general but you gotta carry parts filters ect with you. And they can be a nussance to listen to. Though EPUs are a thing now but have their own set of issues. A good apu will pay for itself in a year or two tops though if well cared for. Mine has saved twice its purchase cost just in fuel in 20 months of owning it.

Generators do work sure. But most are designed to last 1500 to 3000 hours tops. They can and do last longer but your going to piss through the warranty of most in a year (note the MOST part here i say it for a reason as there are exceptions) your going to need to carry fuel cans, oil, filters and such with you as no one is going to have them on the road, parts and service is going to be harder and your going to either be installing an RV roof top AC or carrying one in the truck which will eat up a lot of room or lead to some....intresting modifications, a lot of shuffleing around and a loss of room no matter what you do. Plus most of those gennys especially the smaller ones are as loud as or louder then an APU and many also stink as they dont burn very cleanly. Plus people can and will steal anything thats not more or less welded to the #### truck. They are cheap though and easy to replace if it goes idiot on you and could in the long run be cheaper.

Idleing a truck is just dumb anymore. Fuel is too #### expensive. Wear is not worth it, and anti idle laws are enforced and expensive.

Depends. I have a fridge and cpap in mine. Even when its around 70 out it can get upto 100+ in the cab and stupid humid besides, so its just torture to sleep in that and i get dick and all for rest. Plus ode du truckstop is all kinds of wonderful if you leave windows open. Nothing like waking up to the smell of a dirty urinal or the smell of literal bags of ####. To me a few bucks is worth a comfortable and restful sleep.

 

I don't think there's any filters on gens. Not that I've seen on my 3. Other then air filter which is basically just a cloth type so to speak. Spark plug though should be a spare part. And a cleaner for the air filter.

I think the biggest hassle would be buying and storing gas. Along with seafoam. I use non ethanol with a couple ounces of seafoam. I don't have to worry about winter storage and carb cleaning.

Mine are quieter then apus. Unless they got quieter in the last few years.

I think the ultimate solution though. would be a battery bank. Unless you're sitting a few days.

As for thefts. Aren't most of you guys using a lock of some type to the frame or somewhere?

Anti idle laws. How small is the reach? Does it apply to small engines? Some gens are carb certified. Do those also apply?

 

Many gens save the really crappy cheap ones or the smaller portables do infact have fuel filters and as you said air filters, many replaceable. Plus a goodly percentage of the nicer portable ones do actully have oil filters. Or at least both i currently own do. Granted many of the small ones you can just rinse the fuel and air filters but still.

As for APUs mine is quiter then my predator 2500 was by a lot. Its about on par with my honda maybe quiter. Then again my green is a 3 cylender kubota diesel so its not that annoying lawn mower sound and a proper engine with a muffler. Id record it from the bunk but i have zero clue how to upload audio here.

And for thefts you would be suprised. Ive had my spare tires stolen 3 times now and they are chained to my truck with some pretty heavy duty half inch chain and a lot more obvious to steal then a genny. Pair of bolt cutters or any number of tools can get a chain, cable or padlock off in seconds. If it has value a thief can and will take it. Not saying they WILL but CAN. Hell ive had then cut off and steal my load level and one pulled off and stole my outer duals while i was taking a shower (bloody gary chicago)

As for anti idle laws. I was talking about the truck. Not genny

 

In the warm weather yes, in the winter no, as I have Webasto heater.

 

That's why I asked how far is the reach for anti idle. We all know about road motors. Aren't some states banning generators also?

 

Ahh it came off like you were saying i said something else. My mistake and i honestly have not head of that. Would not suprise me though. That said i know none save maybe cali are going to ban true APUs any time soon so id be suprised if they did ban gennys as part of idleing. That law getting passed may actully get the fabled revolt from drivers the first time many were forced to sleep in 100F+ weather with no cooling in esentially a oven with wheels.

 

nope not even the communist state of California..