APU/ Inverters

Total bs.
I've been running inverters the last 10 years. I've never replaced an alternater.

 

I appreciate the posts about generators.

We used a Generac 12500 for years at our home. However I had excluded this device from trucking talking specifically. We put about maybe 110 hours on our Gennie supporting the fridge etc.

The one thing we did not get a chance to do was have the electrician install a Generac natural gas line standby on it's own pad ready to kick in should the mains fail. It would have been about 4000 dollars for the machine and 1000 to labor and wires etc. Plus the tie in to the gas line at the meter.

The second thought about generating power when the town is out of power is use of blackout thermal curtains and light and noise discipline.

 

@otterinthewater I have a question (since you are here)

My truck A/C is dead. Has multiple points of leakage -- and looking at the previous records since 2004, it's always had its a/c worked on EVERY SUMMER.

I'm trying to kill two (maybe 3?) birds with 1 stone:

bird 1: Cool the truck down (I picked up a portable a/c which requires 1000W (8.8A) continous & 1800W peak starting power)

bird2: Generate 110v power in the truck anyways (laptop/printer)

bird 3: SAVE $$ -- by not bothering with the truck a/c, and I only run the truck 2-3 days/week (to North East, then back to VA)

Will the Ryobi gen/invertor get the job done? It's rated 1800W/2300W peak.

Note: printer is only used to print paperlogs, and I have no microwave to deal with. I eat salad/cold food when away from home <--- old habits of being raised with no electricity...lol

 

@nax,

I’m not familiar with the Ryobi units. There can be performance differences even between the same units. I’d read some reviews on them if I were you. You may have to “Apollo 13” it. If you saw the movie there might be a specific start up sequence for your A/C and 110v needs. I assume this is the unit.
2300 STARTING WATT BLUETOOTH INVERTER GENERATOR | RYOBI Tools


Yamaha has this and it “might” work.
Yamaha EF2400iSHC Generator - Photo Gallery, Video, Specs, Features, Offers, Inventory and more

The Yamaha is about $400 more.

The issue I see is that generator will be running hard. I usually look at having the gen run at 25-35% of it’s listed continuous power. They last and just sip fuel. Ya, I’ve overloaded them and popped fuses. What kind of man would I be if I didn’t. LOL.

For what you spec’d this is what I’d buy.

Yamaha EF3000iS Generator - Photo Gallery, Video, Specs, Features, Offers, Inventory and more

$1900 vs. $1100 for the ryobi. That’s a huge bump in price. But you’ll buy the gen only once. The Ryobi I have no clue. You’d better get the free replacement extended warranty from Home Depot on that.

I’d also check Craigslist. You might find a good used ef3000 campground quiet for a nice little discount. I’d have no issue buying a used Honda either.

I guess my real question would be why does your truck A/C break every year? It shouldn’t, and a competent A/C guy (not dealer or Part Replacer shops) should be able to fix it once and for all.

I could be wrong about the above and probably am. User experience may vary and please be sure to try the veal and tip your waitress.

 

If you go with a generator : I have a Honda EU 3000 that's 14 years old and very quiet. Used for storms in FL, fuel efficient and I can go out right now and start it because it's a great unit. I've seen them on catwalks and side mounts with covers. I bought mine because we used them in the FD bouncing down the road 24/7 and they always ran good when needed. I've never used it on my truck but they are dependable and will take a beating if kept out of the weather. Get what we pay for....

 

I purchased an inverter AIMS POWER and installed it in my motor home and love it. This was version 2.0 of my generator's electrification project. I had first purchased a modified sine 3,500-watt inverter which I powered from 4 six volt golf cart batteries. The modified sine unit was good but my microwave and other electronics didn't like the square wave. Another problem is that the AC voltage declined all the way down to 85 volts as the batteries discharged. My Aims unit puts out 121-123 volts at 60 cps all the way down to low voltage cutoff.

 

Actually quite the opposite, In regards to the Inverter. I believe Swift began making inverters Standard Equipment in their trucks about 3 years ago. I no longer drive for them, but, I was issued a 2019 Cascadia several years ago that was equipped with an inverter AND a factory installed refrigerator. Truck was equipped with opti idle. No APU.

 

I have a predator 3,500 on my truck.
Just as quit as the Honda eu3000.
Will run my portable ac for 11-12 hours on 2.5 gl.
Had it on my catwalk all summer but with winter I had a custom frame mount box built.
I added and wireless remote start/stop kit so no getting out of the truck in the cold/rain/snow to start it.
In the spring I'm adding a remote fuel tank (10-15 gl) so I'll just drop my trailer and go to the gas pump once a week and full up...
Get the 2 year extended warranty Well worth it.. covers it 100% for anything except lost/stolen... if anything goes wrong at all just drain the fuel out and walk into any harbor freight with it and walk out 15min later with a new one in the box...

This is mine in it's custom frame box

 

Nice! Did you fabricate that box yourself? Looks very professional. I spent 30 years in the construction trades. I have seen enough hack jobs to see the difference. The dirty little secret about the Predator vs Honda is...........get ready for it..........China stole the design from Honda!!! All of the Hondas are probably made in the same Chinese sweat shop/ labor camp as the Predator! Lol

 

I had a local shop built the box to the size and venting I wanted...