Increased Milage/APU Idea

For 6k you could get a system and not have to jack with it....Propane Lifeforce or electric koolrig

 

Personally I would use the gas engine and convert it to propane. Mount it inside a "toolbox". How is that any different than any oner APU. Especially since propane meets EPA and CARB requirements.

 

Not certain of timeline yet. Thats why this thread was started to give and get various ideas so as to eliminate some of the single person pitfalls.

I have looked at the cost of a Portable genset and size. Someone also asked what happens when there is not enough engine run time to re-charge the batteries. I am looking at this option. Still using my original AC idea of adding an inline electric powered compressor and electric fans for the compressor, using the trucks evaporator and blower. A clone Honda w/electric start is <200, Converted to propane <150 (EPA and CARB approved), Ford/GM alternator <100. Smaller and lighter than a genset and easily repairable OTR. This could be connected this to a low-voltage start relay and you could eliminate 2 AGM's. Smaller, lighter, cheaper and self sufficient, even on a 34 reset.

 

Propane is carried on RV's all the time. You can carry up to 50 gallons in an approved DOT storage tank without issue...You would need a max of 2 20lbs tanks and you can swap them out at everywhere.

Total weight. The total allowable weight of a MOT is 440 lbs. per vehicle. As a side note, it is important to remember that a vehicle towing a trailer is considered a single vehicle. So again, the 440-lb. rule applies to combination units. The amount is important because the driver must know the total weight of all hazardous materials transported on his/her vehicle.
Example: A welding company transports a cylinder of oxygen and a cylinder of acetylene to a job site.
Acetylene is a Hazard class 2.1 flammable gas and oxygen is a hazard 2.2 nonflammable gas. Each cylinder must be 220 lbs. or less and the total combined weight for all MOTs must be 440 lbs. or less.

The US Department of Energy, Division of LPG Land Transportation and
Storage Safety makes the following interesting safety comparison:

"Individual Risk to Specific Fatal Incidents"

Motor Vehicle Accident.........................................1 in 4,700
Air Plane Crash (as a passenger).........................1 in 140,000
Struck by Lightning................................................1 in 1,375,000
Struck by Tornado..................................................1 in 2,450,000
Dam Failure/Rupture..............................................1 in 6,300,000
Air Plane Crash (as a person on the ground).....1 in 37,000,000
Propane Storage or Transportation Incident......1 in 37,000,000



As to your comment on running my system in newer trucks I got my idea from the PonyPack APU. I just modified the idea to include an electric compressor and the electric fans on the truck condensor.


Heat Issue is taken care of with a PTC radiant heater. This idea came from koolrig.
2 of the 300 watt units would thouroughly heat a 72" condo and cab