Generator Boxes

And don't forget these units need to keep the main diesel engine warm in the winter time. Let's face it, none of these engines like to start as the temperature falls. Also the fuel system needs to be kept warm...fighting a jelled fuel system when it's zero degrees or colder is a real PIA.

 

Tell my company that. There's outlets and extension cords where we park our tractors, so we can plug in our block heaters when we go home for a night. Problem is they're hooked up to the shop's electricity, which is a completely seperate company. The shop says they arent paying for it this winter. My company basically doesnt care.

So now we're going to have 3 to 10 trucks sitting there idling all the time to keep them warm. Does that make sense?

Maybe we can just idle one truck and hook all our in transit heat lines together. I wonder if that'd work!

But seriously. $30 to idle one truck for a night......and how much does it really cost to plug a dang block heater in?


The whole thing is ridiculous anyway. That shop makes a LOT of money off us. If one of our drivers needs something, they just get it from the shop and they'll bill the company. They're supposed to be getting me some saddle box keys...

 

The back wall is what I was planning on. With a little extra bracing, some "L" brackets and extra wireing for inside starting and plugs,,, You got yourself an APU.....

And by painting the A/C cage, the same color as the truck, you won't be noticed too much.

 

Window mount ACs wont take a beating tho, Get one from a motor home or RV and use a 3500 watt Marquis diesel. Mount it on rubber Lord mounts on the frame in a diamond plated aluminum box and run the fuel lines to the truck fuel tank and put a heater in it as wel at he truck radiator water heater. I have an old box from Onan, has the air vent in the side for cooling and a 5000W generator.

''Life's tough ... it's even tougher if you're stupid.''

- John Wayne


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You'll notice that the APU's are placed in a certain location along the frame. Usually on the passenger side, behind the the sleeper. That's where I'd place a generator stand. You'll want to select a configuration that lets the generator be lashed down, locked in, but accessible.

 

I have been an owner operator for 5 years now, and installed an 8000 btu
AC in the back . I have gone through several gas generators and one diesel generator, which I mounted on the truck. the air cooled generators need open air ventilation or they will overheat. You can't put them in a box. just get a generator cover and put it on when not using it. My International has the 5 minute idle shutdown, so I can't run the truck air conditioner when it's hot, unless I am running down the road.
Does california have restrictions against a gasoline generator? My tractor is a 2007 and is not up to clean idle certification.
I think that a lot of generators are made in China, and don't last very long.
They don't seem to be good quality. I have a generac gas generator now, that has a Briggs and Stratton motor. hope is will last. B and S motors can be replaced pretty easy I think. I know that overheating the motor seems to make them wear out sooner

 

Have you tried idling the cruise control when your stopped? That usually will stop the 5 minute shut down.
In case you don't know, Set the park break, turn on your cruise control and idle the truck up to about 700 or 800, and it should offset the shutdown.