Apu questions

have you search over the net to the requirement of your choice.

 

I have the same set up. Only diff is I bought a bigger external gas tank (3 gal i think) and can go about 14 hrs without having to refuel. I get "the look" as well. Even a few laughs from folks with their 7-8k APU units until I tell them my whole system was less then $1500 and it repays for it self every summer. (I think this summer was 5 fifth or sixth with it)

 

5 fans onboard, 3 of which run 24 hours a day. 2 for the dog and 1 for me with another that I can plug into the inverter or generator and a spare that I could plug in somewhere as well.
No gas smell. Unless I fuel the generator before bringing it inside the truck. Close off breather valve on fuel cap, any spilled splashes of gas from earlier refueling has already evaporated.
I would like to figure out a way to permanently mount it, but what will probably happen is all the money I'm saving will be reinvested into a 'real' APU next season.

That's my next trick is to get the larger auxiliary fuel tank. It would be nice not to have to get up every 5 hours to refuel. Sometimes oversleep then wake up in a pool of sweat.

 

Another option for longer running on those portable generators like the Honda EU2000i, EU3000i, etc is to convert them to propane. You can get frame rail mount kits made specifically for commercial trucks for putting on propane tanks. The typical 20# BBQ model tank is just under 5 gallons of fuel. You could mount even larger ones. LP is a lot easier to deal with and burns far cleaner than gasoline. No issues with exhaust fumes like gas. Conversion kits for portable generators is around $160-$180. When not in use, just disconnect hose and store the generator. A 20# tank would last for several days or a week, depending on how long you run the generator and what power load. Propane is cheaper than gasoline. Easy to refill at a lot of truckstops, or in a pinch, could do the switch out thing as most convenience stores and Walmarts. There are also custom made cargo boxes available for individual portable generator models that you can mount to the truck, with ventilation ports so you can run the generator in the box. I can provide all the links to companies that have all this stuff.

 

I have A ??? looking for info on how to install a water pump on a 14L S60 detroit???

 

I have a comfort Master APU and non computerized.
I think a lot of APU but it seems the computers on them create more problems than you can imagine as soon as they get a couple years old.

 

Its amazing how guys that cant pass a chrome shop without stopping whine about the price of something that is actually useful. How much do you people spend on useless chrome and untold numbers of chicken lights that dont make you one extra dime?

 

Nothing. If its not going to improve my bottom line it don't go on my truck.

 

I'm little confused as how this relates to APU unless your referring to an APU doesn't save fuel/money.
Or is the highjacking of a thread?

And far as spending money on chrome (not really me) but I know we all have our passions and some it's their trucks so they put their extra money towards their trucks. Mine happens to be flying planes and skydiving.
I'm sure it's better than towards hookers/lot lizards.

 

Concerning the APU Idea,
What I can say is that I have had the Tri-Pac Diesel APU installed on my rig now for going on 4 years in that time (with the exception of oil changes and the like) I have had to replace the Alternator belt once, a Main fuse once, and that's all. I keep up on the Maintenance for sure.
I have had no problems at all that could be considered a real problem.
I will say this, if you do not keep proper maintenance on that diesel APU it WILL start to use fuel, less that ithas always used very little fuel.

That APU has on several occasions in the hard winter started my Truck by charging the batteries and warming them up keeping me from having to call for a jump,
with that APU, I can run a TV, refrigerator/Freezer, Microwave, Coffee Pot, Hot Plate, Independent AC/Heat (My Favorite , Block Heater.
Of course an additional Inverter needs to be installed correctly, but driver let tell you I love it and have yet to be disjointed in it.

I have talked to other drivers who have various types of APU's, like the Carrier, the Battery type APU, and every one I have talked with on the road has always expressed having problems that I have yet to have to face, after talking to other drivers, I have felt glad that I got the Tri-Pac diesel APU.

There is financing out there for the Tri-Pac APU, (I would consider Thermo King a last option on financing though), I would consider the diesel type because the batteries for the Battery type can be very expensive, more so than your truck batteries.

As far as installation, well if you are the Mech. type you should have no problem installing the unit, it comes in a complete kit, there are instructions fro the wiring connections. most of the installation is no more than just mounting all of the hardware.
For example; I mounted all the hardware on the truck, ran all of the wiring harness's, mounted the control box in side the cab and the one under the bunk, it took me about 8 hrs or (1 day), did it in my front yard.
The drove to the Thermo king and paid them $150 labor to make all of the connections and test the system. Now of course doing that I waived my warranty on the installation but still had the warranty on all of the equipment, I took that extra saving on the installation and bought the additional 2yr maintenance warranty, which you have to buy within six months of buying and installing the equipment, so as it was then anyway.

There you go a real life example, no matter what the nay Sayers may say...