Has anyone powered a generator off a truck?

[pmsmechanic]

I don't think carbon monoxide will be an issue with overhead stacks. After all it's common for a dozen semi trucks to sit on the same parking lot idling.

That's true but you don't see people eating out in the open in a truck parking lot.

 

[4570Man]

That's true but you don't see people eating out in the open in a truck parking lot.

Also true, but there's a big difference in a dozen or more trucks and one bus with a smaller engine to begin with. I agree that a self contained permanently mounted unit would be Way better, but that's not in the budget.

 

[buickanddeere]

92W/115W Electric Start Portable Generator, 459cc - Champion Power Equipment

 

[MossRoad]

That would cost more than I paid for the bus, and there's no good location to mount one. I think I have a generator head that would work. I can fabricate mounting brackets. I don't think carbon monoxide will be an issue with overhead stacks. After all it's common for a dozen semi trucks to sit on the same parking lot idling. The RPM change will be the biggest hurdle. No doubt a stand alone unit would be better, but I don't think it'll see enough use to be justified. I haven't decided on the foods. Likely frozen deserts and drinks and something simple like burgers and hotdogs.

Is this a short bus?

 

[2458n]

GMC had one on a truck they sold,10-15 years ago. Uncle did not care for it and his was was 5 miles off the grid.

 

[Egon]

How much power do you need?

How about alternator and inverter?

 

[4570Man]

I'm guessing I need about 5,000 watts. It's a 3/4 length bus.

 

[dieselcrawler]

92W/115W Electric Start Portable Generator, 459cc - Champion Power Equipment

I would steer clear of that brand... have one with a locked up motor in the barn, with less than 100 hours on it. Followed directions, checked oil before every use. About a month or 2 out of 2 year warranty period, no support from manufacturer, offered to sell me a replacement motor for nearly the same price I paid for the whole generator. Buyer beware.

 

[Industrial Toys]

My friend equips food trucks all the time with Gensets. Mostly quiet Onans. They are a real mish-mash. Often the truck is Diesel, but the guy doesn't want to fork out the money for a Diesel genset, so he has to deal with gas cans.

Pretty much the only PTO trucks he does are fire trucks. Usually Onan as well.

 

[PILOON]

Most hydro service trucks have 110 VAC capability, I'd look into their solutions as they would be well researched and proven.
I recall 50 amp generator, belt driven with a switch box that converted output to 110 VAC (maybe DC)at about 3000 watts.

Another solution could be an inverter, I've seen them up to 3000watts.