Many manufacturers sell portable generators up to $10,000. Featured here is a low cost solution for your semi truck. Inspiration from similar setups found elsewhere.
I put together a system using a 3000 watt Yamaha and a Mitsubishi mini-split a/c. Had to get creative, but once it was all set up, man did it work well. The a/c would freeze you out in any temp, including 110+ Arizona summer days sitting directly in the sun. It was also blessedly quiet, both the generator and the a/c unit... If I set another one up, I will look in to getting a quiet diesel generator, because fueling the gas one was inconvenient. I would also spend more time doing everything with a little more planning and fabricating. Kind of threw it together in a hurry...
Powertech Southeast Leesburg, FL. (Wildwood) They make generators for entertainer coaches and only do mobile applications. That split system sounds like a good idea? I couldn't handle that sceaming fan they mount on back of cab right about where your head is. Good thing it didn't work very often.
You need a portable a/c with 2 hoses to make that setup effective. The single hose units suck air from inside and blow it out side, creating a vacuum in the cab, thus every crack and crevice in the truck is now sucking hot air from outside. The single hose a/c units are only useful in rooms where the rest of the building is cooled.
I built a box around the one I installed in my hotshot truck to make it pull air from outside the truck from the driver's side cab vent, and the discharge hose blows out the passenger side cab vent. I'll be modifying the same unit to install it under my bunk in my semi.
The other fuel tank has a plug in top once removed, inserted a draw line purchased at the dealership that screwed into the tank. Wasn’t shown in video as an oversight.
I have a Set up like yours but only I have a gas generator Have a portable AC that is 7000btu I found having event out the window like that the vent heats up and the air conditioner can't keep up with the extra heat So I cut a hole my floor and I put it to their and it works a lot better Make an event shorter
Its $140/hr to diagnose a tripac. Our 2015 tripac evolution was a lemon. It had 2300 hrs after 5 years, where the previous tripac is still going to this date w 10+ hrs. The hmi on the on the tripac evolution is junk. U have 2 guess the temp w 2 knobs, where the previous one u could set the temp as u do w a thermostat at home.
I personally would have probably used the copper alloy brake line as it's more flexible and won't rust. But it's a pretty decent idea. I agree on the Diesel fuel although Gas is cheaper these days and usually only a walk from where your truck is. Not like that's a bad thing for most drivers haha. I like those brackets though. There's cheap little 2 wheel dolleys that fold up to haul a gas can across a parking lot.
Well done. I went cheap. $300 gas 4k Watt inverter bolted on cat walk, must clear trailer turns and $200 Hisense 5k BTU. Heavy duty 25 ft cord. $650 total. Generator last 15 hours on 2 gallons
Seen an older Freightliner Classic that has a window mounted A/C put right thru the back of the bunk wall, higher up where the top bunk would’ve been. Made my head tilt a little bit seeing it in all honesty, got me thinking about how the operator did it, sealing it up, etc. Have seen a few trucks with mini-splits installed, the tell-tell box mounted outside the truck. Also curious how that’s accomplished. An excellent solution for a reasonable price!!!
If that's the route...I'd just do a tool box with a little 2000w Honda/Predator Inverter generator in there with some vent holes cut. Yes it's gas but cheaper easier and more versatile as well as mobile. Pretty easy to rig up a larger tank too.
I tried that with the Champion 2500W inverter generator. 30" tool box with air holes and the exhaust ran out the back. It overheated in a few minutes... needs a lot of ventilation!
You did everything good but putting the exhaust vent in that screen. reason why is because all the hot exhaust at the air conditioners blowing out the window coming right back through the screen. Nice job on that generator mount.
Actually I should have pointed out that plexiglass covers the other part of the screen so that the AC exhaust and outside air isn’t entering back into the truck.
I like how you mounted the generator. I do not like those ac units personally. Don't want to have to put the exhaust hose in the window or deal with draining the water out of that ac. I am putting a rv ac on the roof. I also bought a split unit ac. Not sure which one il use lol. Thanks for the idea!
I have a similar setup 10k watt AI power gas generator, 10 gallon fuel cell mounted on the back of sleeper that gravity feeds to main tank 17 gallons total lasts one week, I cut a hole on side of truck for the black and decker heater/ac unit, vent, I should have cut a hole on the floor easy to patch and sell truck, I also use a radiator heater in winter, basically the black and decker blows air through the radiator heater for good warmth circulation.
Truck came with Wabasto heater, keeping me warm, but the generator can be used to connect to my block heater and jump start the truck should I need it.
The gen pictured here has been discontinued or is out of stock. Is it still working ok? Did this diesel gen have the remote start option w the key fob? Why did u modify the brackets? Man, wish u could've filmed the fuel line connection. Why did u use the driver side fuel tank as opposed to the passenger? Great video n yes. Diesel is the way to go n using the trucks fuel as the fuel source.
Thanks very good video thanks for the depth of information have a tripack system 120amp not much muscle really but must need a inverter but i also have very sensitive electronics on the truck that dont like the square wave. Pure sine wave inverters cost a hell alot more then a generator.
I have been entertaining this idea. Im concerned with the road grime, snow, ice, and salt destroying the unit in a short time. I seen a guy the other day with a nice tool compartment on his trailer and thats where he mounted his generator.
Live in Michigan don’t go south for the winter, stay regional, was sure that salt would have rusted it a little but it hasn’t. Generator was installed in June of 2018 and still holding up. Just procrastinated with editing and sharing with RU-vid.
Its $140/hr to diagnose a tripac. Our 2015 tripac evolution was a lemon. It had 2300 hrs after 5 years, where the previous tripac is still going to this date w 10+ hrs. The hmi on the on the tripac evolution is junk. U have 2 guess the temp w 2 knobs, where the previous one u could set the temp as u do w a thermostat at home.
A used APU with all parts and hoses is the same price as your generator. Takes up less space on the frame and in the interior wouldn’t have a big ass ac unit in the way of everything. Looks nice mounted on there though 🤷🏻♂️
Why can't a thermoking apu and an inverter power an a/c or more importantly a ceramic or infrared heater without power interruption from the inverter or the batteries in the truck being drained too low?
Hello one man band. Very nice video and nice talking. The generator setup is good for diesel use. Must be pretty heavy and noisy. Of course I am going to get myself a different set up for the unit inside. The question is can this generator can jump/charge the main battery ?
How has the generator held up so far?? I put a harbor freight predator 3500 in a stainless tool box and mounted that to my frame of my truck and it works ok but it’s gas, so it’s kind of a pain. Didn’t know you could buy those at Home Depot , had I known I might have gone that direction.
Did you plumb the diesel generator into the fuel tanks? Im thinking of going this route since all I need is a T and a electric transfer pump but seems like a better option being plumbed into 300 gallons of fuel then having the 5 or 10 the generator holds.
cheapest diesel generator you'll find now is over 4 grand. a used apu is cheaper then that. wish that generator company wouldn't of went out of business.
Thermo king APUs are absolutely garbage. A quick search on YT shows many bids on the issues with tri Pac. I recently removed mine, the 3rd I've owned, repeated issues with fault codes, arctic package not functioning, numerous electrical issues such as discharged batteries, not charging batteries, alternator issues. A 400lb boat anchor. Absolutely trash, TK should be ashamed for $10,250.
Tripac is overpriced junk. This is the way to go. Roof mount a/c and heat. No screaming condenser fan mounted by your head. Rooftop goes bad any RV dealer has the replacement takes about an hour to change.
Went with a portable AC unit and Generator because I can get another one at any Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe’s or Menards. Sales and service on any of the dealership installed equipment is not available after 6pm or on weekends, unless you want to pay Highway Robbery rates from roadside assistance.
Smart way to go. Another bad thing about Tri Pac is having to regen before taking a break otherwise it would shutdown. Good thing about roof air is it breaks and you just replace the unit. 800.00 versus 8000 for tripac repair. (I'm not kidding).
@@catliftresearch what size gen you need to run a small roof ac/ heat unit? Can you set it up to run while the truck is rolling down the road, and then off of the generator at night?
Good idea just. .....talk ..........just a lil.............................. faster.......... I almost ............fell .........................asleep
How has that generator been working for you I've been looking at that 1 to go off gri go off grid. I'm sitting here laying in my new 2022 LT with a thermoking running. I have a Westinghouse with remote start but when I get set up out where I want to get some land I want to get a diesel generator and I've been looking at that model model. How is it holding up to the abuse on the road
It’s similar to a partially muffled lawnmower or some of the older refrigeration trailers. Not as bad as being parked next to a semi with straight pipes idling all night!
