I've heard so many people wanting to make their own setup. Believe me, I've been through all aspects of this. You need heat, AC, electricity and battery charging. Here is a list of the things you need.
Honda 3,000 watt generator. $2329.00
Xantrex Prosine 2.0 inverter/charger/shore power $1,200
Low voltage alarm $15.00
10,000 BTU AC unit $300
Axillary gas tank with wheels $200 or less
Remote start $200. Not needed if your handy
If you are handy you can take the wires off the key start and run them into the cab for remote start or you can pay $200 for the real deal.
The Xantrex inverter/charger/shore power is the big deal. This will provide REAL PURE 110 volts. Not like a Cobra inverter which is a modified sine wave. The generators 110 output is plugged into the inverter. The 110 output is also plugged into your AC. The thing about shore power is that when your home you can plug an extension cord from your house into the inverter and it makes the switch automatically. This inverter is also a 100 amp battery charger and it's SMART. It will not fry your batteries like a battery charger. Your cannot leave a battery charger on your batteries non stop. They don't give up and they are normally not big enough to put out the amps needed to keep up with the demand inside the cab.
This type of setup is what boats and RV users have. When the boat docks they plug it in or the RV parks and it makes the switch from internal battery power to external power. You can even be watching TV and make the switch and you won't even know it.
The battery alarm can be mounted anywhere in the cab. Usually next to your bed so it will wake you up. Most APU's start up automatically when the batteries need charging but this setup cannot. You can plug the alarm into a cigarette lighter plug also. ANY 12v source will work. This will wake you up so you can start the generator. Once the generator starts the inverter will kick in it's battery charger automatically and will back off amperage wise when the batteries are close to being charged and eventually shut off all together until needed again.
The Honda generator can also be used with an external fuel tank shown below. You really only need the hose fitting and you can use ANY tank you want. You can either buy one with wheels and a handle or use a luggage carrier. You can also mount an aluminum external fuel tank to the frame. Many options here.
The AC and heater will run directly off the generator. I have a 15,000 btu AC mounted on the back of my cab and it's way overkill so 10,000 would be perfect.
That Xantrex inverter/charger/shore power is the REAL KEY here. It's a smart battery charger. If you park your truck at home you just plug an extension cord into it and it's all automatic. Batteries are always charged 100%. Keep fridge running and heat and no worries. Your best bet for heat is still an Espar.
Honda 3,000 watt generator. $2329.00
Xantrex Prosine 2.0 inverter/charger/shore power $1,200
Low voltage alarm $15.00
10,000 BTU AC unit $300
Axillary gas tank with wheels $200 or less
Remote start $200. Not needed if your handy
If you are handy you can take the wires off the key start and run them into the cab for remote start or you can pay $200 for the real deal.
The Xantrex inverter/charger/shore power is the big deal. This will provide REAL PURE 110 volts. Not like a Cobra inverter which is a modified sine wave. The generators 110 output is plugged into the inverter. The 110 output is also plugged into your AC. The thing about shore power is that when your home you can plug an extension cord from your house into the inverter and it makes the switch automatically. This inverter is also a 100 amp battery charger and it's SMART. It will not fry your batteries like a battery charger. Your cannot leave a battery charger on your batteries non stop. They don't give up and they are normally not big enough to put out the amps needed to keep up with the demand inside the cab.
This type of setup is what boats and RV users have. When the boat docks they plug it in or the RV parks and it makes the switch from internal battery power to external power. You can even be watching TV and make the switch and you won't even know it.
The battery alarm can be mounted anywhere in the cab. Usually next to your bed so it will wake you up. Most APU's start up automatically when the batteries need charging but this setup cannot. You can plug the alarm into a cigarette lighter plug also. ANY 12v source will work. This will wake you up so you can start the generator. Once the generator starts the inverter will kick in it's battery charger automatically and will back off amperage wise when the batteries are close to being charged and eventually shut off all together until needed again.
The Honda generator can also be used with an external fuel tank shown below. You really only need the hose fitting and you can use ANY tank you want. You can either buy one with wheels and a handle or use a luggage carrier. You can also mount an aluminum external fuel tank to the frame. Many options here.
The AC and heater will run directly off the generator. I have a 15,000 btu AC mounted on the back of my cab and it's way overkill so 10,000 would be perfect.
That Xantrex inverter/charger/shore power is the REAL KEY here. It's a smart battery charger. If you park your truck at home you just plug an extension cord into it and it's all automatic. Batteries are always charged 100%. Keep fridge running and heat and no worries. Your best bet for heat is still an Espar.