My Honda EU3000iS generator set up...

I don't get obnoxious vibration and noise with an apu. I also put a pulley kit on mine that enables me to run it at lower rpm, while keepingvthe alt, and generator turning at same rpm. . the only gas generators that are quite than apu. Are the Honda type I just prefer the conviemnce of plumbed into my fuel tanks, the. Unit all being together and my heat and cool unit, the alternator for charging the bats, and a 6500 watt generator also. I ran a generator setup for a bit before I got the apu. . I maintain mine just likevi do anything else on the truck. That's where most go wrong. Its not a theory of long life when you maintain a unit. I have never had a repair that approached anywhere the price of a generator. I could cite examples of gas generator failures also

 

I'm with you on the apu being the better setup. For me, it was purely cost for me to put up with having to get gas etc. My complete setup was around 1300 with everything. If I could've installed an apu/ac for even double that price, I would've gone with the diesel apu setup.

BTW, the Champion 3100 inverter generator is incredibly quite. Its sound is more akin to a honda 3000 than it is a 3600 rpm loud briggs engine generator.

 

The inverted types run quiet by virtue of not driving a generator. You would be surprised also at how much noise come from the air intake and not the engine itself. The non inverter type gennies are quite loud. Main thing is do whatever saves you money..

 

I agree,.. the convenience of being able to tap into the trucks fuel supply makes things a lot simpler. Its just that I've yet to come across any 'Quiet' diesel generators or APU's. I honestly looked into it as I was not looking forward to having to fill gas cans. They all sound like lawn tractors.

I dont have a lot of experience with APU's,.. but the 2 that I did get to use,.. both were ThermoKing units. The AC was not strong enough to cool the sleeper. They were vented from under the lower bunk with 2 small vent tubes and were not very efficient at all. I'm sure there are better set ups out there. I just havent seen any in use. The majority that park next to me are obnoxiously loud.

I wasnt sold on the Honda until after I went to check one out. I was under the impression that it would be loud like most other generators, sounding like a lawn mower and not able to get much more than 5 - 6 hours of use before it needed to be refilled. Constantly needing to change/clean the spark plug etc. That was the mentality that I went in with.

The Honda generators are a must see to believe. I'm not a big supporter of none American things. But the Honda has me sold. The EU3000is is a fantastic, efficient and very reliable generator. I've done nothing but change the oil and this past monday I finally replaced the spark plug which was long past due according to the service chart.

I was looking at a used APU,.. installed I was quoted $8100 with a 1 yr warranty.

My home made setup breaks down like this.

Honda EU3000is with 3 yr warranty - $1995
Custom made diamond plate boxes and window rack for AC - $750
Frigidaire 8500 BTU Window AC with remote - $189
Infrared space heater with remote - $59
4 plug household outlet, 8ft wire, 30amp inline fuse, $29
Foam window sill insulation pads - $6.95
2x 2 gallon plastic cans - $12
Black and Decker dorm style refrigerator with freezer - $180
Hamilton Beach 900watt Microwave - $85
Mini Forman grill - $19
Coleman 2 burner hot plate - $24
Visio 42" LCD 1080P TV - $185
Wall mount for TV - $49
Dish network RV satellite setup - $525

The basic setup,.. Generator, Custom Boxes, window bracket, window AC and heater set me back just shy of $3000.

The Taj Mahal, home away from home, kit and kabootle, grand total - $4100.

Much less than any APU set up out there. Easier to maintain and service,.. as well as much cheaper to maintain and service.

The only gripe is of course,.. the need to fill the gas cans.

After using the generator and not idling,.. I save on average $200 - $300 a week in fuel costs. The generator itself typically uses $30 a week in gas. My MPG has gone up and is more consistent. I'm out on the road typically 40 weeks a year.

Even with a low side of $200 a week in fuel savings. Multiplied by 40 weeks,.. is an honest $8000 that stayed in my pocket. This is a very simple and affordable APU set up that anyone can do. And they dont need to go all out with the EU3000is,.. its an expensive generator. There are many other $400 - $600 generators out there if the O/O wants to save a few bills.

This is the route I took and will probably do the same with my next truck,.. with a few changes. Larger external fuel tank and will do a roof mount AC instead of the window mount.

Hurst

 

My main concern is reliability. I've yet to see an apu as reliable as the generator setup. Everywhere you look there's a guy who just had to replace the engine on the apu and watched all of his fuel savings go bye bye lol.

 

That was also my apprehension to going with a diesel APU. I was reading about the issues other people were having with them and the costs associated with the repairs,.. the down time involved, even with warranty work.

With the generator set up,.. if something breaks,.. you toss it and replace it. The generator itself,.. if you go with something like the EU3000,.. there are thousands of RV centers and Motorcycle/ATV dealers that are in the Honda network to have it repaired.

So far I have not had any problems at all. The generator works pretty much everywhere. All elevations, hot or cold,.. has no effect on its performance. Most APU repairs that I read cost upwards of $1500+. For another $400,.. I can just replace the generator if it came down to it. Reviews that I have read on these things,.. people have had them trouble free for years. So I honestly do not anticipate any real problems there.

I think the generator is the more affordable route to take. You will have to deal with filling the gas in the cold and wet conditions. It sucks. But I'm still very happy I went with the generator.

Hurst

 

Don't do the roof mount. They suck. Mine went into the trash 2 weeks later and an overhead fan installed. They don't push any air at all. Ever see an RV rolling down the road with 5 of those on top? That's why!