No APU - A/C options??

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Big Rig Max, Jul 1, 2019.

  1. truckdriver31

    truckdriver31 Road Train Member

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    i had a gen on back.
     
  2. Snow Monster

    Snow Monster Medium Load Member

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    Diesel gen set if you want to spend a few bucks, runs everything.
    Drove a W-900 with an Onan generator mounted in an aluminum storage box mounted behind the passenger side fuel tank.
    Pretty slick, super cheap on fuel compared to the big motor.
    Park anywhere, Texas in summer, Canada in winter, totally self sufficient, circulates coolant, keeps batteries charged, plug in block heaters, air conditioners, appliances, power tools, whatever.

    Having said that, as the company aged and went from 10 trucks to 100 trucks the gen sets disappeared and weren't replaced as far as I know, the reasons are unknown to me.
     
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  3. Moose1958

    Moose1958 Road Train Member

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    There is another reason I would never install equipment on the catwalk or for that matter most anywhere near the 5th wheel and the batteries. DOT inspections! If a DOT officer is not happy with the way it is installed they can shut you down. It's bad enough as it is, I rather put this on the company to fix and be ready to leave if they fail to address my basic comfort.
     
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  4. truckdriver31

    truckdriver31 Road Train Member

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    i ran a gen on cat walk for over a year. it was bolted and chained. you can carry legally 8 gallons of gas. 15lbs of propane.
     
  5. Moose1958

    Moose1958 Road Train Member

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    Yes, there is a guy based near where I live that has one on his. if having one is what you want great go for it. For me, I rather save my money and get my dang company to fix that problem. Just too many things that can go wrong as it is. I can't say this point enough. When I have to open up my pocketbook to equip my truck with comfort items my company should have done, I get a bit perplexed. This should NEVER work that way!
     
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  6. truckdriver31

    truckdriver31 Road Train Member

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    52767ABD-14AF-4425-B409-4FBEF8960395.jpeg this was my set up. i boxed in the back. used 12v fans i bought at northern tool. used idle air window adapter
     
  7. truckdriver31

    truckdriver31 Road Train Member

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    i hated walking from the parking lot to the gas pump to get gas. i kept my gen full and carried a empty can.
     
    Last edited: Jul 3, 2019
  8. HEAVYDEE

    HEAVYDEE Light Load Member

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    Where did you get the mounting bracket for the condenser unit? I'm going to be buying a WEN 3800 watt generator and a side mount box for.. were there any adapters used to wire the AC to the generator? I'm going to be spending my Easter weekend working on a setup like that.
     
  9. lilillill

    lilillill Sarcasm... it's not just for breakfast

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    I fabricated the mounting bracket myself out of 2 inch angle iron. If you're putting it on a Volvo, you need to tilt the flat part back about 6°, it isn't an exact right angle... 96° obtuse so the condenser sits level. The condenser unit is just plugged into the generator with a piece of extension cord. I chopped it off and wired it to the condensing unit and then just plug it into the generator. There is a separate cable that goes from the inside evaporator to the outside condenser.
     
  10. WesternPlains

    WesternPlains Road Train Member

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    You can build an ice cooler. Videos on youtube about it.
    If you're in a dry environment. All you need to do is get wet. The world will become a whole different place. ... Those swamp coolers work great in the desert.