Generator exhaust

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Dino soar, Jul 20, 2021.

  1. Dino soar

    Dino soar Road Train Member

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    I'm going to buy a generator and I think I'm just going to mount it on the catwalk of my truck. They sell covers for them that will keep the weather off of it.

    I want to run the exhaust out so it goes up high past the top of the back of the the sleeper like another exhaust stack.

    But how can I run the exhaust that way?

    My question is that if the generator is mounted stationary and the air ride cab moves up and down how do I mount the pipe?
     
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  3. Jim Kaufman

    Jim Kaufman Bobtail Member

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    A length of flex pipe between the generator exhaust and the rigid stack pipe. Not sure how small flex you can get, so you might have to get an adapter and use lager diameter stack pipe. I would recommend curving the flex pipe down from the generator to ensure it doesn't bind as well as reducing the risk of rain getting down into the engine. Leave plenty of slack.
     
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  4. Six9GS

    Six9GS Road Train Member

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    IDK, but just wanted to say, I think that's a great idea. I'm assuming you're talking about a gas powered generator? I've parked next to folks running one on occasion and the exhaust fume smell was horrible. I also worried about carbon monoxide levels. Even went out and bought a carbon monoxide alarm and have it mounted in my sleeper berth close to where I lay my head. IDK, with all these trucks running while parked, just seemed like a prudent idea, just in case. Hopefully, it never goes off because I never have a problem. But, I think it was well worth the miniscule investment of about $20 and a new 9 volt battery about once a year.
     
  5. Rideandrepair

    Rideandrepair Road Train Member

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    Yep, as mentioned, flex pipe. Maybe a large diameter piece of flexible galvanized electrical conduit. with a wide bend from one side of the generator or cover to fairing bracket, then up high with a small elbow, so it’s pointing down to keep water out. I had one, never put a pipe on it. Just my ideas. Even considered a larger muffler or adding another muffler. Never did it though. Like to see what you come up with. Definitely don’t like all the fumes floating around. Can’t be safe.
     
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  6. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    Well first Dino, don’t complicate things, you won’t be driving with it running so you can figure out how to mount one part of the pipe to the sleeper and use something very flexible (shop exhaust tube) that you can attach when you stop.

    but let’s talk about safety for a moment, there was a recent tragedy at a music festival the past week where three people died because improper venting of a generator that wasn’t attached to a trailer, so I recommend people to think about proper venting and even thinking about using something like this


    How to Make a Homemade RV Gen-Turi for Peace of Mind

    You can also buy it from camping world and Amazon

    https://www.amazon.com/Camco-44461-Gen-Turi-Generator-Exhaust/dp/B000BUU5XG
     
  7. Dino soar

    Dino soar Road Train Member

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    You know now that I've written this and I have had a chance to think about this, I think that if the flex pipe flexes up and down it would lead it to leak sooner.

    If anyone has done this and it worked out for you or if I'm incorrect feel free to let me know.

    But what I'm thinking right now is if I made a bracket off of the catwalk that holds the pipe up so far, and then I made a mount toward the top of the sleeper that could pivot then the pipe could stay in the same spot and the mount itself would pivot with the Cab.

    I have to sleep on and think about how exactly to make it, but right now I'm thinking if there was a clamp to the cab and a clamp on the pipe and a piece of flat between that with a loose bolt for each side so it could pivot up and down...

    Gotta sleep on it...
     
    Last edited: Jul 21, 2021
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  8. Roberts450

    Roberts450 Road Train Member

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    The older pete’s had cab mounted stacks with flex pipe down by the frame. Normally lasts several years before needing replaced. Look at the newer pete’s and KW’s and they have frame mounted exh with a slide pin at the top of the door. That’ll give you some trucks to look at for ideas.
     
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  9. staceydude

    staceydude Road Train Member

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    Mines mounted on trailer. Never smell or even hear it unless it is running out of fuel. Quieter than the last APU I parked next to. It is also further away from other trucks unless then bobtail park right next to it. I do have a C02 alarm as well.
    AAE63790-78A6-4686-8F7E-F6FDFFC8CFEB.jpeg
     
  10. loudtom

    loudtom Road Train Member

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    I used 3/4" EMT and bent it to follow the truck's exhaust so it wasn't attached to the cab. Then I cut and welded a flange that was the same shape as the spark arrestor plate, with Permatex copper as a gasket. I ended up making two pieces, like a midpipe and a tailpipe. I used to have it as high as the old exhaust, but there was nowhere to safely secure it. If you do not secure it in multiple points, it will vibrate loose and break.

    I've also used flexible exhaust tubing. It's a lot more forgiving, and an easier install provided you have a nipple on the exhaust you can attach it to. But it rusts and leaks a lot quicker. It was particularly vulnerable where it attached to the generator.

    I haven't had any problems with fumes or carbon monoxide with the exhaust running only about 5 feet up the cab along the exhaust bracket. If I wanted to go higher, I would probably attach a flexible tube at the end to finish it.
     
  11. feldsforever

    feldsforever Road Train Member

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