Making my own APU

Whats wrong with the idea of buying a gen and adding components as necessary. It would supply power to anything you need. A small bunk heater or a rooftop ac/heat unit and at alot less that $8000.00. It would take a little work to set it up but it seems feasable.
Am I missing something ??

 

You're not missing much. If you're handy, there is no reason why you can't design your own unit to work as well, if not better than, the commercially available units. If you're good with google, you can look into some cab HVAC systems that heat and cool, and don't mount on the roof. Cut the portable diesel powered genset out of its factory supplied frame, build your own frame and box to hang off the framerail (or wherever you want), and you're off to a good start. I'm actually drawing up plans to mount a genset on top of the framerails and above the tranny but below the doghouse of a '84 Kenworth COE.

Good luck, and let us all know what you come up with.

- W2W

 

only thing I would say is to use a diesel generator. you can just plumb it into your fuel system. Gas has alot more dangerous emissions, especially carbon monoxide. Plus there is regulations about carrying gasoline. You can't have a generator with an attached gas tank. any gas tank would have to be able to be detached from the generator for transport

 

They have electric powered units that mount into the duct system and fit under the bunk. Of course ir robs your storage under the bunk, but its a really clean install. All you need is electricity then from a generator or shore power.

 

I believe the regulation actually states that the generator cannot have a gravity feed fuel system. While this defines most, if not all, small generators, it doesn't mean the generator cannot have an attached fuel tank.

However, I would agree that a diesel generator, fed from the truck's tanks, is a better choice for numerous reasons.

As for the OP, I agree that's the way to go. I have an APU on my truck and I will build my own if I get a new truck.

 

I know it pertains to gravity feed systems. Sorry I didn't state that. but that is the system 99% of these generators use.

personally the bigger concern is killing yourself with carbon monoxide poisoning.

 

Heres a thread you may want to read. There are several others in the 18wheelers garage.

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...-increased-milage-apu-idea.html?highlight=apu

 

For some reason I got a flash back of the red green show...

 

I seen where others have done it and posted the how they were doing it but shortly after that or during that they disappeard from the forum I saw them on. One even did it lost his truck in a blaze of I did it my self APU. So do use caution, not only as MM stated, but also can be a fire hazard.

 

persoally I'm just hooking into my reefer like the refer link but without the espar and AC for now.

Anyne ever find out what one of the full reefer link systems sells for? too much probably considering you can do it yourself in stages as money permits