Apu decision time

WOW nice 1st post I have a Willis and have had no problems with it and it has 990 hours.

 

By the look of it, he was posting his own personal experiences with the unit.
I don't know the guy well enough to call him a liar, so will take it at face value.
First post or thousandth post, the story is the same IMHO. And didnt everyone have a first post at one time or another? I know I certainly did....
Maybe he actually used the search function, or was browsing other options for an APU, and he came across this thread? I know I would post about a bad experience if I saw someone else post about it.
Didn't come off as a "they are junk, and that is all" post to me. But maybe I missed something?
Glad it is working for you though.

Martin

 

I am looking for an ac unit that mounts thru the walk or a split system. Any recommendations?

 

hello, left lane i ve been reading your postings, I am looking into trying something with my truck, so far i think i am going to use the lowes 8000 btu unit , but i ve been reading all night and am confused as far as what generator should i use, I want one that could charge my truck batteries and that isnt gas hungry, also am worried about cold weather starting, do you know at what temperatures i will have an issue? also is there something i can plug in to keep fuel tank or engine block heated for cold weather starting? I greatly apreciate your feedback thank you.

 

I run a Honda EU3000is and it works excellent.
The battery charging is a bit of a no go though. you want an actual battery charger hooked to the 120v side of it. The Honda does have a battery charger output, but it needs to be on a high idle for it to put the amps out. This in turn uses a lot more gas vs using the economy idle setting. I use a Craftsman automatic charger, and it works faultlessly.
I doubt you will have any major issues with cold weather, as it is just a gas engine after all.
As far as block heaters etc, I would look hard at the wattage. A normal block heater is 1500watts, so you need to consider the power requirements of the ac or heat unit too. If you wanted to run both a block heater and a 1500w heater, I would go with the larger EU generator (4500watts IIRC)

Martin

 

How often do you have to change your oil on the gen? i bought a champion 3000 today , i was reading the manual it says every 100 hours , thats only a couple of days of running it 12 hrs a day, also is it too hard to change? also If i was to buy one of the hondas , which i saw and are way lighter could i be able to mount it inside truck ya think? am worried about someone stealing it while i go take a shower or something.

 

You bought the same generator I have.

First, it goes through oil on its own, so I've yet to change it and have already logged a lot of hours on it. It has a low oil sensor (also make sure you park on flat ground, or you'll trip it), and as it burns it, it will trigger the sensor. I've ran it for two months and the oil barely looks used. I just keep adding more as it goes down.

Couple things about mounting it, the outer structure breaks easily from vibration, and the gas tank on the top can start getting loose from vibration driving down the road.

As for other generators, my friend is looking into one that's the size of tool box that can easily be stowed in the side box, etc., but it looks to have a microscopic fuel tank that would run out quickly. The Champion 3000 I got at Lowes ($299 at the time), runs a 5000btu a/c and usually my laptop when I'm parked. It will use a little over 2 gallons in ten hours on really hot days. A 4 gallon tank can last about 17-18 hours usually. I keep a 5gal jug with me and fill it up all the way about every other day right now when it's real hot. Only spending about $60-$80/week in gas.

I have it mounted in my tire rack and it would take a thief a long time to undo it. I have a long exhaust flex pipe running up my stack behind the sleeper that I move into position whenever I'm going to run the generator and bungie it back away to the tire rack when not in use. I run one power cord inside that splits into two outlets (one under the bunk for the a/c and another for auxiliary power.

A 5000btu a/c isn't the best in 100+ degree weather, but it will keep you cool. I have a Freightliner with the upper bunk and hung fleece blankets down to barricade myself inside the lower bunk when it gets deathly hot and that AC keeps that little cubby hole nice and cool throughout the day or night. Which is why I got it. I also didn't buy the Champion for the long term. I figure if I went through one generator for $300/year I would still make out over an APU. Maybe next year I'll box it in and completely redo the tire rack to give it its own space. But, for right now, it is what it is. A cheap and easy way to stay cool. Only complaint is having to fill up the gas jug every other day or so.

 

K.. thx for your reply, now as far as mounting it , do you guys have any idea where i could get a nice box to mount it on?Am in tampa, I went to the utility and a box to mount it cost $625 and is all enclosed and am worried about the enclosure, about if the gen produces enough heat to damage it if fully enclosed... any feedback will be greatly apreciated thx.

 

Made myself...
View attachment 33732

Martin

 

K, have the unit running, what i have on is a 9000 btu ge portable ac unit from home depot, I bought it locally and not online for ease of devolution in case it wasnt what i needed, now the problem am having now is that is putting in as much heat from the exhaust tube into my cabin that it doesnt really get cold , and the unit stops very often so it isnt really working the way is supposed to, any ideas plz?