Under chassis mounted generator
Has anyone ever had any experience with installing a diesel generator in the place of the spare tire? Powertech did make a unit we had considered once in a sprinter van conversion we built but I so...
Forum Discussion
The units are designed to go in the spare tire location and are fully enclosed so there is not problem with being exposed to the elements. They are installed in some of the Sprinter van conversions which ride low to the ground whereas my truck sits up a good 12" taller so road clearance would also not be an issue....still much higher than the rear of the camper. You can also add an extension to the exhaust which carries the fumes away from the house. As for a spare tire...yes you have to find a new location which I guess I would be willing to resolve.
But bottom line they are super $$$ and I don't know if I want to invest that much unless I saw myself really using the investment.
There is also company called MEPS that make a mobile generator (big alternator) but then you are required to idle the vehicle engine which is not a good option to me. I had one of the MEPS units on my Sprinter and it was great which driving, but then when parked you either idled the engine or lost your juice.
The other option I have given some thought to is using an APU unit like the trucking world uses on most semi trucks...they are a little less expensive (appro. $2,000 for a nice used unit)...but the are heavy and I am unwilling to try and hang one off the rear wall of the camper.
As much as I would like the little diesel units I think I keep coming back to the Honda 2000 or 3000 like most have chosen.
Thanks,
Phil
But bottom line they are super $$$ and I don't know if I want to invest that much unless I saw myself really using the investment.
There is also company called MEPS that make a mobile generator (big alternator) but then you are required to idle the vehicle engine which is not a good option to me. I had one of the MEPS units on my Sprinter and it was great which driving, but then when parked you either idled the engine or lost your juice.
The other option I have given some thought to is using an APU unit like the trucking world uses on most semi trucks...they are a little less expensive (appro. $2,000 for a nice used unit)...but the are heavy and I am unwilling to try and hang one off the rear wall of the camper.
As much as I would like the little diesel units I think I keep coming back to the Honda 2000 or 3000 like most have chosen.
Thanks,
Phil
