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Home-buit APU?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by delta5, Apr 2, 2011.

Page 1 of 11
  1. Apr 2, 2011 #1
    delta5

    delta5 Road Train Member

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    Sep 9, 2010
    Ohio
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    Would there be anything wrong with hanging a box on your frame with a nice, quiet Honda 110v generator inside? You could add an RV a/c and heater unit on the roof or even mount a small a/c unit in the back of the sleeper. It wouldnt be too hard to wire the sleeper for 110v lights and sockets. It seems it would be much cheaper than $10,000 for a Tripac or Carrier setup... Most trucks already have a 110v block heater already installed.
     
    delta5, Apr 2, 2011
    delta5, Apr 2, 2011
    #1
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  3. Apr 2, 2011 #2
    Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

    10,662
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    May 28, 2009
    Rancho Mirage, Ca.
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    I've seen Honda generators mounted on the cat walk or the frame rails. Usually a Mickey mouse set-up, though.
     
    Allow Me., Apr 2, 2011
    Allow Me., Apr 2, 2011
    #2
  4. Apr 2, 2011 #3
    fulgrwnmn

    fulgrwnmn Light Load Member

    276
    54
    Sep 17, 2008
    whitehouse,oh
    0
    I wouldn't hang it from the frame for starters, for 2, now you have to get "gas" for it, not "fuel", A short once in awhile type thing it work for, eg using microwave or tv, computer, but for hvac, i'd never do it, those generaters don't last has long as you may think, as there designed for occasional home use, factor in running running times, and alot of non pro's will remove them from your trk when they see you going in to shower, I agree 10k seems a bit much in todays technology, if I hit the lotto, I'll make and market then for half that, and still make a profit, even more so of one, simply because more ppl will buy them, and not fumble over the inflated 10k stick it once again to the guy who feeds, clothes and supplies this country price!
     
    fulgrwnmn, Apr 2, 2011
    fulgrwnmn, Apr 2, 2011
    #3
  5. Apr 2, 2011 #4
    Native Dancer

    Native Dancer Heavy Load Member

    978
    3,259
    Dec 28, 2007
    Portland, Or.
    0
    One thing that gets overlooked in the price of an APU is the ECM and the wiring for it. The ECM allows the APU to monitor battery charge, main engine tempreture, pre-start engine, keep track of total hours and service intervels, allows you to control APU rpms etc.. The battery monitor is worth a lot to me. I can leave the truck for a few weeks and not worry about dead batteries.
     
    Native Dancer, Apr 2, 2011
    Native Dancer, Apr 2, 2011
    #4
    bullhaulerswife Thanks this.
  7. Apr 2, 2011 #5
    Pa geargrinder

    Pa geargrinder Light Load Member

    58
    12
    Aug 1, 2010
    Pa
    0
    .....................................................................................................

    Youre truck Sits for a few weeks at a time ???????





    Pa.
     
    Pa geargrinder, Apr 2, 2011
    Pa geargrinder, Apr 2, 2011
    #5
  8. Apr 2, 2011 #6
    BigBadBill

    BigBadBill Bullishly Optimistic

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    Oct 2, 2010
    Chattanooga, TN
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    While the price is high, I have already paid for 1/3 of it since installed in December. At that is based on $3.50/gal. I am figuring that my payback is just over 1 year as I am not running it as much these days.

    Battery monitor is huge if you do not have a place to park that allows you to connect to 110 when home.

    And the best part, I don't have to think about compared to some of the home grown set-ups I have seen. May not seem like much but when it is 5 deg. with -15 windchill I do not want to have to thing about adding fuel.

    I did choke on the price of the two main ones but all the no-names that are in the market that would have saved me a couple grand was just too big a risk with my money. Can you say "Rig Master".
     
    BigBadBill, Apr 2, 2011
    BigBadBill, Apr 2, 2011
    #6
  9. Apr 2, 2011 #7
    Native Dancer

    Native Dancer Heavy Load Member

    978
    3,259
    Dec 28, 2007
    Portland, Or.
    0
    Sometimes months. Pulled one $20,000 load in March, first time truck moved since early Dec..
     
    Native Dancer, Apr 2, 2011
    Native Dancer, Apr 2, 2011
    #7
    cetanediesel and SHC Thank this.
  10. Apr 2, 2011 #8
    MedicineMan

    MedicineMan Road Train Member

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    Woodville, TX
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    tell him how it's done Native. lol...

    so when are you going to retire and gift me that truck anyways :biggrin_25525:
     
    MedicineMan, Apr 2, 2011
    MedicineMan, Apr 2, 2011
    #8
    Native Dancer Thanks this.
  11. Apr 2, 2011 #9
    Native Dancer

    Native Dancer Heavy Load Member

    978
    3,259
    Dec 28, 2007
    Portland, Or.
    0
    After one more trip North. :biggrin_25523:
     
    Native Dancer, Apr 2, 2011
    Native Dancer, Apr 2, 2011
    #9
  12. Apr 2, 2011 #10
    MedicineMan

    MedicineMan Road Train Member

    5,799
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    Jan 13, 2007
    Woodville, TX
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    Like we've never heard THAT before :biggrin_25514:

    what do you have on that truck, an Onan generator?
     
    MedicineMan, Apr 2, 2011
    MedicineMan, Apr 2, 2011
    #10
    Native Dancer Thanks this.
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