Apu decision time

"It charges truck batterys any time it's running & powers microwave, toasteroven etc. no problem."

"FMCSA says you can have 8 gallons of gas onboard so I have a seperate tank mounted on the frame-rails behind the cab."

"Yea,,,every 3-4 days your gonna have to drop the trailer and bobtail over to a gas pump to fill up,"

These above are dirrect quotes from my post. Thats what those little "" dittys mean at the begining and end of the sentances.

Like I said,,,read my posts!

If you don't want to run a gas fueled genset then don't. It is however a viable option for an o/o that has better use for his money than spending it on an apu when he doesn't HAVE to.

I have infact installed several of these systems, built the brackets, modified the boxes and installed the genset inside the box, installed the a/c systems, remote start/stop switches in the sleeper, duplex 110 vac sockets inside the sleeper, etc. on customer trucks at my shop here in Arizona. I also wrote an article that was published in Landline magazine on doing exactly that for the guys that can do it themselves. (I believe it was May of 2001 or 2002.)

Anyway, the point is that there are good options other than just spending 7-8 grand on an apu.

I will be happy to advise anyone who wants to do this themselves on what works, what doesn't, & how to put the system together.

 

Twolane, how does the fuel get from your external tank to the generator?

 

papanuge,

You didn't ask me dirrectly but you did show intrest. I have the time to do this so here are some recommendations based on my experience. Hope this helps!

For the generator go to www.northerntool.com & check out these...

-Honda EU3000 is. pn: 165011-2101 # $2100.00 It will do everything to include charge batterys and it's fully enclosed so it's super quiet. It also has an optional fuel-tank cap assy. that will let you use a remote tank. It's electric start & can be wired for a remote. It's NOT CARB certified. Weight is-144lbs.

My personal favorite
-Northstar 2700 watt generator pn: 165912-2101 # $540.00
I ran one of these and it starts on the 1st. pull every time but is not e-start. A remote kill switch can be wired inside the sleeper. It's also the easiest to install in a side-box. It is louder than the others but when mounted in a box on the frame like a fuel tank, it's not as loud as the trucks engine at idle. It doesn't charge batterys but will run a seperate charger along with everything else if you wish.

NOTE-
For either of these, if they are mounted in a sidebox , you'd need a seperate gas tank either mounted on the frame behind the cab like a headache rack, or on a frame side mount. If you are not a welder/fabricator you will need to find one localy to build the brackets and modify the box. I could & will do them for you, but it would be quicker if you found someone localy. Besides I'm not advertising and have plenty on my plate right now.

-Heres the tank I like...
-8.25-Gallon Round Gas Tank pn: 4052-15-2101 # $100.00
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For the a/c go to www.compactappliance.com

The EDGESTAR AP-1200S # $380.00 will run you outa the truck! It's an "inverter based" (requires less power than a normal a/c unit)) HEATPUMP.
It is also available as an A/C & Heater but that version costs more. It withstands the vibrations of the truck better than anything else I've tried.
It requires venting to the outside via a 5" flextube like a drier vent. Either through a window, or 5" hole in the sleepers floor. (I recomend the hole for a permanant instal.)
I call mine R2D2 as it kinda looks like a high-tech trash can.
Don't even bother with a window a/c as they will NOT stand the vibrations of the truck!
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There are other gensets, a/c units, etc. so look around.
You will need at least 3kw. on surge w/ 2600 watts constant.
FMCSA says it has to have a fuel pump to be legal. (The little Northstar does but I'm not sure about the Hondas for example tho that's never been an issue.)

This oughta getcha started thinking outside of that $7,000.00 box.
Let me know if you need anything else.
R.

Oh-yea!
For heat you can buy a 1500 watt electric space heater from Truevalue, homedepot etc for about 30 bucks.

C-ya!

 

Thru a 1/4" fuel line.

 

FAIL

Well, there is your first and most major mistake. External fuel tanks for any generators are not allowed to be gravity fed. Must be fuel pump. Period. Non of the generators you listed are pump fed. All are gravity fed from the tank on the unit which is ok but not for an external tank.

 

Wrong again Meathead,,,read the post!

The Northstar HAS A CRANKCASE PRESSURE OPERATED FUEL PUMP!

It's that round black plastic gizzmo with a fuel line attached from the tank, then another one to the carburetor! It also has another line running to the crankcase for the pulsations to operate the diaphram inside.

As I said,,,I'm not sure about the Hondas.

Are you just wanting to prove me wrong or what?

You don't stand a snowballs chance in hell of doing that, & I will be happy to help you continue to prove yourself a fool if you wish.

Think I made all this up?

You are aptly named IMO. "Meathead" fits you perfectly.

And BTW,,,the only mistake I made & I'll grant you that, was trying to help people like YOU!

Ya just can't fix stupid!
I knew that!
My bad....

 

Man you guy's are funny. calling each other out, & keeping civil about it. now this is the way to disagree.

 

since when is it a violation to carry small quantities of fuel?

 

I have a honda 3000is w/ a remote start on my truck, it powers everything i have for heating or cooling plus my accessories.

 

So all the generators you suggested are pump operated to the external tank? I don't think so. And your saying you disconnected the fuel tank on the Northstar and connected the feed directly to the external tank? ha ha ha