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Board Regular
Anyone use a gasoline generator to heat sleeper/block?
Another option I have been considering is to mount my 3500 watt generator under my trailer. I have a good place to mount it where the old spare tire brackets were (the rack is no longer on the truck). I could weld up a rack to mount it on and carry a couple five gal buckets of fuel alongside it. Then run a cord up to the truck to power a small electric space heater and another to the block heater.
Has anyone tried doing something like this?:?
"It is not the critic who counts,
not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled,
or where the doer of deeds could have done better.
The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena;
whose face is marred by the dust and sweat and blood;
who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again;
who knows the great enthusiasms,
the great devotions and spends himself in a worthy course;
who at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement,
and who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly;
so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls
who know neither victory or defeat."
Theodore Roosevelt
BANNED
Rookie
DOT might (will ) have a problem with the gasoline can thing for the generator...
Board Regular
I wondered about that. I don't know the regs on it offhand. Perhaps if it were "concealed" properly??? 8)
"It is not the critic who counts,
not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled,
or where the doer of deeds could have done better.
The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena;
whose face is marred by the dust and sweat and blood;
who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again;
who knows the great enthusiasms,
the great devotions and spends himself in a worthy course;
who at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement,
and who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly;
so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls
who know neither victory or defeat."
Theodore Roosevelt
Board Regular
Quote: Perhaps if it were "concealed" properly???
This is the kind of stuff that keeps the Fire Depts and Emergency Rooms in business.... if you live through co poisoning, the wreck or a fire. :?
Board Regular
Why do you say that Kurbski? Maybe some folks don't have enough sense to properly transport and operate a generator. I have used one for years while camping and see little difference in using it for my truck. But then, I have also survived 28 years as a pilot, 20 years in police work, and 6 years paragliding. Regardless, it could be done safely; would hinge more on what DOT says than anything.
"It is not the critic who counts,
not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled,
or where the doer of deeds could have done better.
The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena;
whose face is marred by the dust and sweat and blood;
who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again;
who knows the great enthusiasms,
the great devotions and spends himself in a worthy course;
who at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement,
and who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly;
so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls
who know neither victory or defeat."
Theodore Roosevelt
Board Regular
That's not the impression I got from you "concealing" it in your post which mentions nothing about safety... So Thats why I posted what I did because exhaust from generators is poisonious.and crashes/fires etc..
That's all. It seemed like a "sneaky post" like your going to hide something from DOT man. No biggie since you posted your resume.
Member
Could you point to the regs that apply to gasoline and CMV's?Originally Posted by BigDiesel
Board Regular
I will share a little consultation I did online with an experienced old trucker who runs a Honda 3000
I have a Honda 3000is. It is strapped to the truck by two 2 inch rachet straps. DOT has never even looked at it. The wire connections have to look pro. It pretty much runs my stuff and burns probably 2 1/2 gallons for eight to ten hours of air conditioning or heating with a heat pump. I have a large microwave and it will not run 14,000 btu of air conditioning and the microwave at the same time. You would really need a 5000 watt for that heavy of use.
---------------------------------------------------
Yes it is on the catwalk. I have a rubber flap down first to cusion it from the rough alumimum and a strap on each side hooked to the frame. There are many truck running generators. My setup is a little more complicated where I have a 2000 watt inverter in line with it that also charges the batteries. I also have five deep cycle batteries. But I ran it with the generator only at first. Just so the wiring is installed neat and secure it is ok. A small inverter, 29.95 at walmart will run any tv well and not take the batteries down in 24 hours.
You need to look into the air conditioner good. It will amaze you how big you need to cool the truck on a hot day. I havce 14.000 btu and it is not big enough but tolarable. On a 90 degree day it will get to 85 or so in the truck. But without it goes to 110 degrees or so. Test borrow one or buy one at Wallmart and return it if not big enough. Set it up on a window and tape some plastic on a hot day to get an idea. then you need a generator big enough. The 14,000 draws 1600 watts on run and dims the lights when the compressor starts with the 3000 watt generator. When I first got it, (the air) till it broke in, sometimes it would pop the circuit breaker on start up.
In the winter a ceramic heater draws about 1500 the biggest you can get. It will heat you ok till it gets real cold. I am good down to 10 or 15 degrees and colder thanthat you need to let the truck run anyway. I can give you a couple of tips, the truck system needs to be put on recirculate while stopped, the system will bleed hot air in and cold air in the winter. I don't know what post you read, but I have a bunch of stuff in here, coffee maker, toster, 2 1/2 cubic foot freezer, refridgerator, 27 inch high def tv, dvd, and so on. I can park at night with no generator and be ok except for air cond. I also have a fan mounted in a vent to get some air. Flys are a problem. With gas at 2.40 it takes about 4.50 or 5.00 for a 12 hour run with the generator, now it is up to 7.00 or so with 3.00 gas. I also have remote start on my generator, a real help. I found that before the remote I would run the generator all night when i did not need it so that it woud be running in the morning when the sun hit the truck. Of course I drive most of the night and sleep later.
An inverter with a charger is a great thing. I have left the markers on all night and the batteries low in the morning. Woops, but the generator running the inverter charges them back up in a half hour or so. Something to remember, the industry standard for house current at 115 volts is 1500 watts and it does allow a surge to 20 amps or so to start a compressor ok. 'RV units do run up to 30 amps and that is what I run, but you cannot run two full 115 volt loads on the system. Mine is 3000 watts full current and 2700 run.
If I was to do this over again knowing what i know now, the money would have gone into a 3000 or 4000 watt inverter with all the stuff running on the inverter and a generator to keep the batteries up. Of course that would take some serious batterys.
Senior Board Member
Yep, we did it last winter and also used one this summer while logging. DOT never said a word to us about it and we were inspected more than once in NC. :wink:
We are going to use it again this year too.
tootie
Never pis$ off anything that can bleed for 5 days without dying.
Adopt a Minpin
minpinrescue.org
Member
I've been thinking about setting up something based on a honda generator, more than likely the EU3000IS model. MSRP on this unit is right around 2 grand. It is very quiet at 58 decibles, and would be even quieter mounted as described below.
What I'm considering is mounting the generator inside a box mounted on the frame rail and tying the exhaust into the trucks exhaust system. Vent the box with two fans, one sucking and one blowing. Mount a 10 gallon foam filled fuel cell between the frame rails under the catwalk. It would be easy to securely mount everything and have the wiring and fuel lines protected from road hazards. Mount the starting switch, oil pressure guage, and breakers remotely in the sleeper where they are easy to get to. It would then be an easy task to wire in a gang box with a few outlets inside the sleeper.
During the winter, the block heater could be run on a switched circuit. Most block heaters pull from 750 to 1000 watts, so the generator could easily power that as well as another heater for the cab.
Running a fridge would be easiest with an inverter I think, just so it can stay on most of the time instead of only being on when the generator is running. What I don't know, is if inverters are rated to be run continuously for something like this?
Setting up a battery minder to run off the generator would be a good idea too I guess, to keep them up while the inverter is running.
Sure, something like this would take some work to get all set up, but in the end it would still be far cheaper than an APU.
Oh, and yes, I will be checking with the DOT about the legality of running a setup like this. I have read way too many differing points of view regarding the legality of having a gas generator on a CMV, none of them official or linked to a law that would allow or prohibit this.
Board Regular
My refrigerator will run for 3-4 days on my inverter with my truck shut off. If I go 3 days or so, it will run the batteries down. But I leave my refrigerator on at nights when I am parked, plugged into the inverter, and the fridge alone won't drain the batteries.
I don't think DOT would give a whoot on a well designed setup. Probably most would not even know the code applicable, if in fact there is one. It's all about safety, and a good setup done safely would not be any more hazardous than any other fuel based setup.
I run the same trailer all the time; that's why I'm thinking of mounting my generator on the trailer. For winter use, it would do the trick, I think...
"It is not the critic who counts,
not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled,
or where the doer of deeds could have done better.
The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena;
whose face is marred by the dust and sweat and blood;
who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again;
who knows the great enthusiasms,
the great devotions and spends himself in a worthy course;
who at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement,
and who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly;
so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls
who know neither victory or defeat."
Theodore Roosevelt
BANNED
Rookie
§393.65 All fuel systems.Could you point to the regs that apply to gasoline and CMV's?
(a) Application of the rules in this section. The rules in this section apply to systems for containing and supplying fuel for the operation of motor vehicles or for the operation of auxiliary equipment installed on, or used in connection with, motor vehicles.
(b) Location. Each fuel system must be located on the motor vehicle so that —
(b)(1) No part of the system extends beyond the widest part of the vehicle;
(b)(2) No part of a fuel tank is forward of the front axle of a power unit;
(b)(3) Fuel spilled vertically from a fuel tank while it is being filled will not contact any part of the exhaust or electrical systems of the vehicle, except the fuel level indicator assembly;
(b)(4) Fill pipe openings are located outside the vehicle's passenger compartment and its cargo compartment;
(b)(5) A fuel line does not extend between a towed vehicle and the vehicle that is towing it while the combination of vehicles is in motion; and
(b)(6) No part of the fuel system of a bus manufactured on or after January 1, 1973, is located within or above the passenger compartment.
(c) Fuel tank installation. Each fuel tank must be securely attached to the motor vehicle in a workmanlike manner. Can't strap a gas can to the catwalk...
(d) Gravity or syphon feed prohibited. A fuel system must not supply fuel by gravity or syphon feed directly to the carburetor or injector.
(e) Selection control valve location. If a fuel system includes a selection control valve which is operable by the driver to regulate the flow of fuel from two or more fuel tanks, the valve must be installed so that either —
(e)(1) The driver may operate it while watching the roadway and without leaving his/her driving position; or
(e)(2) The driver must stop the vehicle and leave his/her seat in order to operate the valve.
(f) Fuel lines. A fuel line which is not completely enclosed in a protective housing must not extend more than 2 inches below the fuel tank or its sump. Diesel fuel crossover, return, and withdrawal lines which extend below the bottom of the tank or sump must be protected against damage from impact. Every fuel line must be —
(f)(1) Long enough and flexible enough to accommodate normal movements of the parts to which it is attached without incurring damage; and
(f)(2) Secured against chafing, kinking, or other causes of mechanical damage.
(g) Excess flow valve. When pressure devices are used to force fuel from a fuel tank, a device which prevents the flow of fuel from the fuel tank if the fuel feed line is broken must be installed in the fuel system.
[36 FR 15445, Aug. 14, 1971, as amended at 37 FR 4341, Mar. 2, 1972; 37 FR 28752, Dec. 29, 1972].
Member
With the setup I have in mind, I don't see a problem meeting everything that is required or staying away from the prohibited.
Thanks.
Guest
Board Icon
Your generator is going to have a fuel pump? Most portable generators don't.
That generator is gravity fed although you really can't tell without taking it apart. I doubt if anyone would give you any grief about it.
I'm assuming gravity feed is a no no because the fuel line could break and leak gas over everything where a pump feed is sucked out of the top of the unit and can't leak.
Member
Just my 2 cents worth
I think the regulations that are being posted here apply to the vehicle....
A Generator is and add on unit and I have never seen anything that says yes or no to a generator being mounted to a CMV........
Examples.........
RGN's that are self contained have a gas engine on them....
older car haulers were self conained... Gas Motors......
Landall trailers can be self contained...gas motors......
look at tankers with that big box mounted under it .........Gas Motor....
And if my memory serves me correctly flammable liquids is 1500 Pounds or a number of gallons to be Haz Mat ( I do not pull haz mat )
The generator I have was built in 1968 and came off a B-52 and has a fuel pump and the tank is mounted to the gen
Small Business Owner / A.S.E Certified Truck Tech
C & S Transportation
Shreveport, LA
BANNED
Rookie
Maybe you missed the first section of the rule. I will post it below to clear up any confusion.....
§393.65 All fuel systems.
(a) Application of the rules in this section. The rules in this section apply to systems for containing and supplying fuel for the operation of motor vehicles or for the operation of auxiliary equipment installed on, or used in connection with, motor vehicles.
Member
I Stand corrected
...Gravity or syphon feed prohibited. A fuel system must not supply fuel by gravity or syphon feed directly to the carburetor or injector. ...
Gen MUST HAVE A FUEL PUMP
..Fuel tank installation. Each fuel tank must be securely attached to the motor vehicle in a workmanlike manner. ...
...gas can is not a fuel tank ( yes some red neck could use it that way but I don't think that is the way it is being used here ...it is a gas can used for storing extra gas for the generator
Big Diesel IM not picking a fight ...just getting facts straight....
Small Business Owner / A.S.E Certified Truck Tech
C & S Transportation
Shreveport, LA
Guest
Board Icon
That is a fuel tank: a device for storing fuel for a motor.
Senior Board Member
When I bought my truck it had a gravity fed 5,000watt genny under the sleeper. The guy who rigged it drilled a hole in the gas cap, and then sealed it shut with blue RTV silicone. He put a 5 gallon tank on the catwalk and off he went.
Only problem was that the silicone let go and then he would use the shutoff valve to stop the fuel from leaking out of the full original tank while he drove, but when he used the genny, it would seep diesel fuel all over the place.
Now,...if he had removed the original tank from the genny and then piped the catwalk tank into the fuel pump supply line,...it might have worked,....
Oh,....he also let the exhaust blow upwards into the bottom of the sleeper (let me tell you what a mess that was to clean up).
So,....if you have room, just put the genny on the frame rail below the sleeper, remove the tank, then put an aux tank on the catwalk,pipe it into the gravity fuel line at the carb...and walla,....instant power.
But be carefull, the higher you go above the genny with the fuel tank,,the more PSI on the carb needle and seat,....it could flood while running, or just overflow all the time. A regulator might be needed, and it will take time to get the fuel flow right, but it will work.
Also,..some of those portable genny's are loud as hell, and I don't mean the exhaust,...I mean just the noise from the unit itself. The more $$$ the quieter you will get. Rest assured,..anything you get from Home Depot will not be quiet enough to put on your truck.
Or you can be a puss like Steve O, and get a fu#4ing whimpy ***** rigmaster
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