How I Set Up my APU / Generator In My Semi Truck! 🙌

Using a portable generator to power a portable AC. How to set up a DIY APU using a portable generator.

[@Frank-sf1wh]

You need a heavier extension cord. That one will workforces a while, but it will over load the AC starting circuit, and burn out the compressor.

[@ClutchTrucker]

Great idea. Just bout a used 2018 Cascadia. Looks just like yours. Might be doing that myself

[@Truckers.Safe-Haven]

Awesome, thank you for watching!

[@screamingeagle9553]

My 7500 watt diesel unit went out on my ARI bunk and the cost of the new one would be $12k to $15k! So I went with the new predator 5000 watt generator dual fuel remote start and it works great. My rv style ac unit draws a lot of amps/watts so when I get time I’m going to install a mini split heat/ac unit. The one I’m looking at draws 7.8ish amps which would be around 1000 watts. You can get a 10 ga extension cord (yellow cord) at harbor freight and drill a hole and run it in your bunk area and install a house plug to it. Cut the end off so your hole size would be minimal to drill and the bigger the gauge wire and shorter the cord the cleaner the amps/watts it will carry. You can also get what they call an extended run time gas cap for an external gas tank off eBay. Good video and generator mount.

[@Truckers.Safe-Haven]

I’m sure you know what you are talking about, you will nailed it! I did my set up kinda on the quick side, but I’m sure with better knowledge and a little more investment, the set up can be great. I hope your works great 👍🏻

[@mrmotofy]

Use a power inlet instead of just the cord. They're dirt cheap on Amazon

[@Sgt_Church]

If your truck has the built in under bunk inverter option, you would do better to plug the generator into that. It would keep your batteries topped for the morning(eliminating opti-idle from running in the cold) and still allow you to plug in the ac via the internal plugs(ac passthrough, may also allow the gen to run in eco all the time as the truck battery would act like a mini ups system) and no more door cable passthrough 😊

[@joseposadas3800]

I wanted to get an APU just because I thought this wasn’t possible. Do I just plug the generator to any outlet on the inverter? Or how can I do it?

[@Sgt_Church]

@@joseposadas3800 no! Do not do it this way!, back feeding an inverter through its front plug when it's not specifically designed for it will toast both the inverter as well as likely the generator and maybe even into the main electrical system for the truck. Normal inverters sold at the truck stops (cobra or power drive) do not have this feature. As always consult with the manuals, but you need an inverter\charger combo unit. They usually aren't all that much more expensive. The good ones will support something called line passthrough. In other words the inverter acts basically like a normal power strip that you'd find at home. The charging circuit keeps you truck battery full, but the internal nema plugs are running off the generator and not the battery. It's elegant. The generator is the line in this configuration. If your generator has autostart\stop you can use the sense wire on the truck battery. Everything is mostly automated. KZbin comments are illequipled to adequately explain this much more specifically. Sorry. Google is your friend here. Something to note here that won't show up, some inverters are bonded, some are floating, same with generators. Be very careful here. A double bond will usually dry something. Complicating this is that they can sometimes electrically switch between the modes on the expensive units. Inverters are generally smarter than generators. Do your research, the answers are easily found when you know what to look for.

[@MrRld1960]

Using that 50 ft. drop cord may overheat the gen. and cause it to stop. I would run a short cord or electrical wire under the sleep to the gen and put an electrical outlet to plug the a/c into.

[@Truckers.Safe-Haven]

Im using a 25FT 12 gauge extension cord, so far it hasn’t shut the generator off. About the generator box, in the back it has a opening it shows on the video and it’s open in the front as you can see and at the bottom side corners its open so plenty of air flow. I will be reviewing this after a few weeks of me using it and will let you know Pros and Cons, thanks for watching!

[@ericmorrell3908]

At first I was thinkin oh no! But it’s def a good way to stay cool. What are you fixina do in the winter time tho?

[@Truckers.Safe-Haven]

My unit is AC and Heater so I’m cover on that part.

[@oudeika]

I'm picking up my 2024 cascadia next week and I'm thinking in using generator to charge battery and keep optimize idle on but with the generator charging the batteries the truck will not start that's what I'm thinking maybe I'm wrong. The sleeper AC is equipped with 12v ac compressor so if I keep my batteries charged through solar or generator the truck engine will never need to start in the future I will install a 12v alternator on a small generator because I think the alternator will be best on charging battery instead of AC converted to DC.

[@Truckers.Safe-Haven]

That sounds great, I have the same system on my truck but don’t know if that works, if it does I may just do that! I heard some guys were using this jump stater to keep their batteries charge using a generator. NOCO Boost X GBX155 4250A 12V UltraSafe Portable Lithium Jump Starter, Car Battery Booster Pack, USB-C Powerbank Charger, and Jumper Cables for Up to 10.0-Liter Gas and 8.0-Liter Diesel Engines, Gray a.co/d/dZRvg1m

[@brucechopstix8438]

If you running alone. It's wiser to uninstall the passanger seat. Either sell it or leave it in your garage. Installed a couple hooks on the floor and strap it down permanently. For the exhaust I'll cut a hole on the floor of the cab and run the hose and seal it up with expansion foam. You can go in and out of the truck thru the passenger door without getting pissed up every time because of the exhaust hose on your passenger window. NEAT NICE AND CLEAN. I did exactly what you did with the window exhaust the first time but then I had enough of it.

[@Truckers.Safe-Haven]

Yes, I think that would be a good option. This was a lease truck so I could mess with it too much, that’s one of the reasons why I did it that way but it does get on my nerves after a while. Another good set up would be to install a split AC.

[@adamotak5145]

nice one I'm planning to do like that but don't know how to get/find someone to build a box like him to put the generator outside. the box that someone built him is so clean and well built also sturdy and convenient

[@oscarkamau9603]

I got one to for my truck definitely saves you gas an engine wear.

[@Truckers.Safe-Haven]

Sure does, it’s my first week with it, I’m still improving my set up slowly getting ideas as I use it more but loving so far!

[@bladi-senpai9398]

U had a freighliner, i think is better to put the exhaust in the little windows on the upper corners, should be quiter and safer

[@jaredmeyer9789]

You couldn’t choose a smaller size generator to fit in your tool box? There is a hole under your bunk so you can run the extension cable inside the cab

[@Jay_Force_One]

I honestly would have gotten an electric start generator and the. Wired it into the actual trucks electrical system and install a start/stop button on the inside. That way you don’t have to get out and pull start it, and you’re not running wires outside the truck.

[@Truckers.Safe-Haven]

I think that’s a really good idea, I don’t mind to go out and start the think since I have to go out and do my post-Trip, it’s no biggie.

[@MrRld1960]

Has the Gen. got a place for it to get air, if it does you will need to cut a vent in the metal box so it can get the air it needs

[@TheRoadhammer379]

Did you miss the two big holes in the box?

[@blacksheepsquad9294]

Its got a gaping hole in the front and back!

[@user-sj5qe8sr1m]

You have a defective gear selector switch. Peterbilt has a safety recall somehow inside they pinched the wires. At some point it will be a catastrophic failure

[@lennyarvizu4221]

I have the same setup protect the front of the generator I had problems with water electric and water no good

[@Truckers.Safe-Haven]

Yes! I know I have to do something to avoid water making contact with generator. Thanks for your advice.

[@woodpen879]

What kind of box is that where you put your generator in? Been looking for one that size….

[@Truckers.Safe-Haven]

This was a tool box, I had a friend to modified it to fit the Gen. I also wanted to be open for all fumes to breathe out. You just have to measure the Generator and find a similar tool box

[@cbenson1820]

The generator box is great, where can I buy one?

[@Truckers.Safe-Haven]

The generator box used to be my tool box, I costume cut it and added some metal brackets for support, the brackets also make it safe since the generator can’t be pulled out unless, the locks are removed.

[@mrmotofy]

@@Truckers.Safe-Haven Really needs a cover over top and front. The top you could easily cut a piece of alum from Hardware dept. Ziptie to the underside of the perforated top of box. The front will be more complicated

[@rodneytatman449]

AC is too large to start on eco mode. I had the same issue with my setup using a 2300 surge/1900 running watt generator. I bought a smaller btu AC, and that eliminated the problem. The new AC also had a 3spd adjustable fan, unlike the first one, which only had one high speed.

[@Truckers.Safe-Haven]

I did think about that, I may hang on to this unit and may go for the split AC next, I can just use this at home whenever I upgrade but thanks for sharing this info.

[@joebrown4096]

I purchased a soft start for my ac and it will run on eco mode. I have mine in the sleeper right up against the window so it vents the hot air out without having to use the hose. I close the sleeper curtain so it only cools the sleeper. 2000 predator. 5100 ac.

[@rikicapo]

How long does this smaller generator last if running just the ac? And whats the btu on it? Thank you!

[@Truckers.Safe-Haven]

If you use Lower BTU you can use the economy mode, generator holds 1.5 gal of gas and that can last about 10 hours. My AC was 8,000 BTU , I had to use full power and would only last about 6-7 hours.

[@Truckers.Safe-Haven]

My recommendation is, if you can get a bigger generator, you will get better results

[@WujeckFrank]

Every truck is different so unless you top off fully from the moment you’re about to park, idle all night, then top off when your starting your day to get the exact gallons used then divide by the number of hours you won’t know for sure. The truck computers (display on the dash) isn’t really that accurate either.

[@Truckers.Safe-Haven]

A motorcycle engine uses less gas than a V4 car engine, a truck engine uses more fuel than a car engine, so definitely a generator uses less fuel than the truck, that’s how I see it.

[@TheAustinpaul]

You should have gotten the Dual hose AC. The single hose AC will push the hot air out and the air from outside will come in from all the little holes in the truck.

[@Truckers.Safe-Haven]

I heard about that but, I also heard it doesn’t make a difference so I don’t know exactly how that works, what you are saying makes sense to me but so far it’s working. I may keep it until I can get the split ac unit.

[@Sinerwray]

You can made it yourself too

[@saradaniel9632]

Can you tell me your Ac unit how momey btu I am tray buy please

[@Truckers.Safe-Haven]

Here is the link for it. a.co/d/bSsmJtr The only advice I give you is, if you get this unit i recommend you to get a bigger generator than the one i have, the one i have it struggles a bit to keep it running. Thank you for watching!

[@saradaniel9632]

@@Truckers.Safe-Haven you mean is not working because I bought the same like you 2000 watt they say work 10to 12hour bro

[@Truckers.Safe-Haven]

It does work, I just recommend to get a bigger generator, it would work better

[@abdiqaniadan2349]

I have question and is any body can help me to answer i want to buy generator my question is if you doing 34 reset and the generator can run 10 or 11 hours what should i do after that if where I’m at is so hat and can’t turned off the ic just fuel and keep running how it works i hope some can help me

[@Truckers.Safe-Haven]

When I’m doing a 34 and I have no choice because it’s to hot out there, my alternator will run for about 6-7 hours. I turn truck on for about 30 min. Tu let generator cool off before refueling it. If temperature allows I just bring the windows down.

[@mrmotofy]

You can use an auxiliary tank. But hooking one up will depend on the generator. Essentially connect a Tee into the gas line from tank. Close tank vent. Then run hose to a larger tank and ideally sitting higher than generator for best fuel flow. It should get drawn into generator like normal. Except you get much longer run time. Try to put a fuel filter in there too. There's 14ga Fuel caddy's that could be used otherwise boat tanks have ports/vents already setup on em. The fuel caddy's have wheels on em and a handle. Does need a vent added but cap is ready with a plugged hole. If I recall correctly caddy hose connects at bottom with a garden hose thread. So get an adapter and reduce down to a hose size. Make sure you have a valve on tank. Now remember filling tank will be heavy at 100ish lbs. So getting it up there might be a pain.

[@saradaniel9632]

Please I am tray order can you tell me the ac unit watt ? And still using the ac unit there is no issue ? The ac unit the one you have work heater too ? I have the same generator like I bought yesterday how is it thank you bro 🙏🙏

[@Truckers.Safe-Haven]

Yes mine has heater and AC. It’s 12000 BTU and my generator is 2000 watts.

[@saradaniel9632]

@@Truckers.Safe-Haven I think you Ac unit take 1380 watt need to get less but thank you for you help

[@thunderrode1744]

Hi bro whatcha up to hope all is well sending up prayers 4 healing and unspoken and 4 everyone and bless great healthy peaceful safe journeys travels and happy hauling and happy day everyday in name of the Creator God and Yeshua/ Jesus and the Holy Ghost Amen much honor and respect keep walking tall always also I would put a piece of plexiglass over the front side make it big enough to slide into the front side on ur box and make cover / door with lock to reach the 115 v plug and the switches cus u know how ppl r in truck stops lol any who what a great idea u didn't good job cool cool video and new sub here keep walking tall always and smile 💪 🙂

[@Truckers.Safe-Haven]

Thanks for the prayers! I knew I had to cover but I didn’t think about plexiglass?! I have some laying around the house, I will do something about that. Thanks for the advice.

[@AncientSword79]

Get a carbon monoxide detector too

[@adamotak5145]

this heard a lot of horror stories people died to monoxide gas in their sleep and never wake up its probably 10 to15$ but will save you at least from waking up sick and throwing

[@dnwlogisticsllc8609]

How much did this cost you altogether?

[@Truckers.Safe-Haven]

Roughly 1K, that includes a 2 year warranty on the Generator and 4 year warranty on the portable AC. Thank you for watching!

[@ronniehuntsville5100]

I'm in the process of Designing a free energy device to charge battery packs so you don't have to do anything other than just flip it on and use it! let me know if this is something you'd be interested in?

[@Truckers.Safe-Haven]

That’s interesting!

[@gatekeeperadf]

If you're driving alone you can take out the passenger seat for more room.

[@Truckers.Safe-Haven]

Yes that’s an option, I take a passenger every now and than, that’s why I haven’t done it.

[@byronmoon8351]

Your generator is junk. I have a predator 3500 and I know 5 friends that have the same one I do. They had to take there's back and get a new one 4 or 5 times. I have a Westinghouse generator now and I love it and it's a 4500 dual fuel.

[@Truckers.Safe-Haven]

I’ll wear out the warranty and if it comes out to be a problematic piece of equipment, I’ll look into something different. Thanks for the info.

[@byronmoon8351]

@Truckers.Safe-Haven I hope you got the one year warranty because you can take it back in 11 months and turn it in no questions ask. If you bought it Harbor freight store. Good luck.

[@Truckers.Safe-Haven]

@@byronmoon8351 if I’m not mistaking I got a two year warranty or it may be one, I’m not sure, I’ll check it out, thanks!

[@byronmoon8351]

@Truckers.Safe-Haven At harbor freight you can get a 2 year warranty also.

[@markbrown4631]

I got predator 3500, just enough watts, put a regular window unit from Walmart. 90 day warranty. Been through 5 or 7 units. 2 have lasted over 2 years. It's good for heat and light and cooking. But not all at once. I saw one catch on fire and burn a camper. Different brand.