APU/ Inverters

Hmmm...

I guess drivers were not appreciating the extra features, or turn-over on equipment is even shorter to worry about high truck idle time, and its effects on the emmisions systems.

 

APU’s can cost a similar amount to maintain as the main engine.
I put a large inverter on my truck, as stated, just leave the engine running when using an appliance that draws a large load.

 

Im thinking higher up. It costs money to put that nicer stuff on. I think companies have been cutting back.

Last year there are a number of tractors with quietly humming APU's while bundled up and sleeping this year I don't hear as many. Ive been eyeballing them to see if I can see if they are installed or not. Some are not.

 

FFE allowed us to install a Inverter at dealer at our own cost. I think it was a 3000 watter and labor and wires came to little over 200. So inverter 200 plus, work bill another 200 and done.

If you reckon 2.00 coffees per cup or 3.50 thermos against a Mr Coffee in the Cabinet brewing our own Coffee with a certain amount of decent water our costs have more than repaid that initial inverter and labor costs.

The engine did a good job supporting it but went through two alternators that year.

 

I only have 3 trucks. So I have to be very careful to keep my turn over low. One truck sitting too long could put me out of business. I want my drivers to understand how important their happiness is to me. Therefore, all trucks have inverters and Apu's in them. Also, TV's with Direct TV and sirrus radio. My drivers pick their own loads and take home time when they want to.

Mega's are big enough that they don't have to care.

 

Interesting....

This just about confirms my fears.

If it's not the batteries getting damaged by deep draws from the inverter, then it becomes a possible alternator damage issue.

I guess I will have to install an RV inverter/generator that wont interfere with existing systems - to mimimize potential downtime. I'm thinking Ryobi 1800W/2300w model. Crank it when needed and reduce my idle time.

 

The one thing I never did was purchase a generator. Like we understand and use them today.

I would have absolutely bought two of the little Hondas, phased them together and secured them both to the catwalk behind the cab when it's time to use them. If I was still trucking today. Im not certain of the exact.. legality of carrying 2 gallons in gasoline and two gennies on the catwalk butI suppose some states would disallow that. (It would be better if they had desiel generators to make fueling really easy...)

Don't stress about the Alternators. Those can be replaced in a hour almost anywhere provided you have a quality replacement that is new. Some truckstops are bad because they stick a reman on there. And being a reman is itself a point of failure as well. So you end up doing the alternator three times in a few months with the third one being factory new.

A properly strong alternator feeding Batteries of sufficient number (4 is ideal to me) and the inverter loading is not abused (It's not like you are trying to crank a refrigerator inside that sleeper.) and big enough power wires feeding inverter with slack and safely installed correctly generally makes for a pretty trouble free use all year long.

But Alternators? They go out when they are ready to do so. Why? I have no idea. But I do not do reman alternators anymore period. I'll cough up the money for a virgin factory new.

 

I was wondering about generators and searched several good posts and threads on here. The cost and maintenance I’ve read about APU’s on here had me stunned.

I can talk about generators with some authority. I’ve spent decades working out of trailers at race tracks.

There are only two real options IMHO for portsble brands to buy. Honda and Yamaha. As rule Yamaha is almost as quiet (campground approved quiet) and efficient, and reliable as Honda. Yamaha is also slightly less expensive. Those two brands are the most user friendly and reliable. I’ve had Honda eu3000, eu6500, and eu2000. Mine would run nonstop for up to 4 days at a time and only want good fuel, good oil, and a clean air filter. They run and run. From 10 feet away it’s difficult to hear a good running eu2000.

If was going to buy a generator I’d buy a Honda eu3000. It will run your small fridge and a good strong a/c unit plus some small ancillary items. Maybe a microwave as well. No guarantees.

The big thing in hot climates is heat soak. If your stop your truck and then try to cool it down inside when it’s 100° plus you won’t catch up until the wee hours of the morning. If you can pre-cool the cab and sleeper. It will work much better. If you turn it off for 30min you’ll never catch up.

Funny story. If anyone remembers the big power outage in 2011...power went out for a couple days in San Diego. I had two eu6500. I had attached the plugs that allowed me to power a potion of my house using a gen. No one had power. People just walking around at night with nothing to do. I was watching movies all my food cold in the fridge, lights on etc. I could see my beach neighbors looking at me from the street....so to be a #### I vacuumed my family room. Hahaha. I got questions for weeks after.

Whatever you buy, buy one with twice the amount of power you think you’ll need. It will run quieter and use less fuel. And make sure it’s a sine wave gen.

 

I call total bs.
I've never had to replace an alternater, I've been running inverters the last 10 years.