Generator for the tractor

So, without reading thru 41 pages, is there a write up somewhere on how to set a generator up? Do you hard wire into an inverter or use a drop cord? Is there a way to wire it to charge the batteries and then in turn use the truck batteries for the power?

 

I have seen brand new trucks at Peterbilt and Kenworth with the xantrex? inverters already installed. These are the inverters you plug a shore power into and they will feed the truck batteries to keep topped up while also passing through electrical power to the installed interior household electric plugs inside the truck.

Meanwhile the inverter also provides electrical power without the shorepower feed and if one needed a higher amount of electrical load would just idle the truck during that time say a microwave for example.

 

Here is one installed on small camper;

 

I installed a Xantrex inverter / charger to the batteries and ran a cord from the Xantrex to the exterior of the truck to use as a shore power receptacle that I can either use a drop cord on the generator to plug into it or drop cord from a regular power line outlet to keep batteries charged up. I have an oil pan heater connected to the shore power hookup so that it gets power anytime the shore power or generator is connected. For my window AC, I run direct off the generator. Everything else runs off batteries via inverter, which is also charging the batteries when generator or shore power hooked up.

 

Great. Thank you for the info. I had things sort of narrowed down to the Xantrex. I am looking into a mini split system, as I don't really have enough room in the Pete for a portable and I can't bring myself to putting a whole in the sleeper. At least I can mount the outside portion to the catwalk at worst, but I am actually looking at rigging some brackets to hide it under the cab.

 

I seen brackets for toshiba mini split on their website. Around 50 bucks and they include rubber bushings to help with any shock to the heat pump. I am looking into that setup as well for a 1999 century. Great thread!

 

please give me the link to that place

 

The website is minisplit warehouse. The heat pump is made by midea company. I dont know if toshiba will fit brakets but they are adjustable. There are alot of companies making minisplits.

 

Also, search "wall mount minisplit bracket" , you will find all kinds for every setup

 

I just need good wall bracket with rubber bushings.