Little Harbor Freight 1400W genny doing work...

This little $525 genny has been keeping me comfortable for the last 2 years as an O/op.


I got about 2300 hours on it now. Whole lot cheaper than a ThermoKing or Carrier or GreenAPU. Quieter too.

I run Lithium batteries (LiTime 4x 100AH) in my electric APU bank, and Ionic Lithium (2x100AH) on my starter bank. Both get charged with the alternator, while running. I also added a Victron Smart charger that charges both banks up to 1500W, and the little Predator gets hooked in with a 120V 25A shore power plug.

Usually in the summer I'm good for a 34 restart running the battery power APU bank for the fridge, microwave, coffee pot, lights, AC and house loads. Where I found I run into a problem is when I spend days at temps lower than 40 degrees, the Lithium BMS shuts down charging so they don't damage the batteries. They'll discharge down to 0F. When I get back over 40F they'll charge in 3 hours drivetime.

The beauty of this little genny is 1400 W is enough to run the Espar Hydronic (which circulates coolant through the block), and run the house load even when the lithium's are shut down. Big motor is at 120F as coolant is warm.

This little genny has cost me about $25 in gasoline over 2 days as I do my restart. Running the DD13 would've cost me $100 in diesel alone, plus emission issues.

This summer I'm gonna add an Artic Fox diesel tank heater that runs on coolant so I don't have to buy Howe's anymore.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/J4DqX9535I

 

Yep.

To be fully Transparent and leave a good review.

One of my Ionic 700AH has failed the app. Won't even recognize anymore. I contacted Ionic and they said send it back and we'll test it and send a replacement. They said 2 weeks turn around. I live in NC, they are in SC.

I just jumped it over to my APU bank, and will not go with Ionic anymore.

My next starter batteries will be Litime self heating, they've got a better rep.

For a $700 starter battery I expected more. BattleBorn is having the same issues according to Will Prowse on the solar forum.

My Litime APU bank has been solid, so I'm gonna go with them for self heated starters.

 

Actually thinking of ordering some heat resistant tubing to channel hot exhaust down to the battery box. That would probably work pretty cheap