Portable Generator Question.

I understand that most truck companies are not installing APU units anymore. I also know that you can idling of your truck if nesasary. But if I want to run a microwave or a tv and a gaming console would a inverter handle that?

I heard that some truckers use small portable generators to run some of their cooking appliances and entertainment stuff. But do laws allow you to have small amounts of gasoline strapped to the back of the truck? If so how much is to much?

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

There are definitely companies that have APUs equipped on all their trucks. US Xpress and TransAm come right to mind.

Also companies that don't have APUs may have a size limit on inverters that you can have in the truck. The amount of power your inverter has limits what kind of appliances you can use.

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

APUs:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

I have a 1500 wear watt inverter, which is more than enough to run my 1000 watt microwave. I don't have a TV or gaming console so I can't speak to that.

Just check the back of your appliance and look for the power rating in watts. Get an inverter that can handle the sum of everything you would want to run at once. I've seen inverters up to 3000 watts.

Not sure about the generator, I don't think I've ever seen one out here!

I have a generator on my truck and I carry a 2.5 gal gas tank on the back of my truck on the cat walk I don't put it back there when it's full my ac went out and I drive for my cousin and it took him a few weeks to get the money to fix the ac so we put a small unit n the closest n my sleeper the generator ran that I have a 3000 watt inverter it runs my tv fridge coffee pot and microwave all at the same time

A 1500 watt inverter would be plenty to run what I want. Do any companies have problems with inverters?

Michael, most companies will require that their own mechanics install an inverter of that size. Many trucks have burned to the ground due to electrical fires associated with inverters being misused or faulty installations. I work for Knight and they only allow the smaller inverters that you plug into a twelve volt outlet.

So basically when I'm applying for truck companies I need to ask if they allowed their mechanics to install inverter units that the employee buys. I plan on being on the road for 7 to 8 weeks at a time so having some Creature Comforts is very important to me. Am I asking too much?

One additional thing about installed inverters: most companies won't bolt your inverter into their truck. O/O sure, but not so much for company drivers.

Prime has 1500 watt inverters and APUs on the entire fleet. As far as inverters go. It's recommended to only get appliances rated half of the inverter. The surge on devices such as microwave when started can be close to double whet they are rated. Hope this helps

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

APUs:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

Prime has 1500 watt inverters and APUs on the entire fleet. As far as inverters go. It's recommended to only get appliances rated half of the inverter. The surge on devices such as microwave when started can be close to double whet they are rated. Hope this helps

Read the label on the inverter box. Most inverters will rate a surge wattage and a use wattage. That covers your concern. The actual surge lasts for less than half a second.

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

APUs:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.