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Although the hot weather is winding down, it's still really hot some places (like Laredo where I'm at right now) and I thought I would give some specific information about using a gas generator and window unit to stay cool.
I use a Honda EU2000i 2000 watt generator, which can be found for $859 (shipping included) on the internet. Mayberry's is where I got mine. This generator is VERY solid and those of you who have them know what I'm talking about. It is also compact and quiet. Its gas tank holds a little over a gallon, which will run a 5,000 btu window unit for about 9 hours. This should answer a big question about whether the generator will run the A/C for an entire night and it will.
5,000 btu window units can be found lots of places (Walmart, Home Depot). They cost about $80. While you're at Home Depot, look in the trash can section and you will see a blue plastic recycling bin. These bins make nice travelling containers for the small window units. The bin also keeps any water in the air conditioner from making a mess when you are putting it away.
Use the passenger window. I secure my window unit with rubber straps using my mirror bars. I use Reflectix material around the unit to seal the cool air in/hot air out.
Get an air conditioner extension cord. They are about 8 to 10 feet long and make the setup easier to use. Use duct tape to permanently attach the extension cord to the window unit's cord. Get a combination cable bicycle lock and lock the generator to your truck. You will need to put the generator outside while using it since it is air cooled.
I got a fancy 5 gallon safety can, DOT approved, very high tech. Unfortunately, it's heavy and I don't like carrying it around, so I got a 2.5 gallon plastic can that I like a lot. I can walk over to the gas islands and fill it up and it will let me run the generator for 2 to 3 days. Not a big hassle. Look into the rules regarding transporting gasoline. This is not a big deal, but be aware of the issues.
Cool your truck down with the truck's A/C before turning on the window unit. This works well. A small fan inside the truck is needed to get the cool air into the sleeper.
This setup is not perfect and it is a little bit of a hassle, but it's not a big hassle. The total cost is under $1,000 and the system is portable and servicing it is no problem at all. If the A/C breaks just buy another one. The Honda generator is very reliable. I think it is an appealing alternative to the $5,000 to $10,000 setups that still seem to have many frustrations built into them.
The Honda generator also has a battery charging output and cable, which is handy if you ever have dead batteries. The Honda will also power the block heater on your truck.
I use a Honda EU2000i 2000 watt generator, which can be found for $859 (shipping included) on the internet. Mayberry's is where I got mine. This generator is VERY solid and those of you who have them know what I'm talking about. It is also compact and quiet. Its gas tank holds a little over a gallon, which will run a 5,000 btu window unit for about 9 hours. This should answer a big question about whether the generator will run the A/C for an entire night and it will.
5,000 btu window units can be found lots of places (Walmart, Home Depot). They cost about $80. While you're at Home Depot, look in the trash can section and you will see a blue plastic recycling bin. These bins make nice travelling containers for the small window units. The bin also keeps any water in the air conditioner from making a mess when you are putting it away.
Use the passenger window. I secure my window unit with rubber straps using my mirror bars. I use Reflectix material around the unit to seal the cool air in/hot air out.
Get an air conditioner extension cord. They are about 8 to 10 feet long and make the setup easier to use. Use duct tape to permanently attach the extension cord to the window unit's cord. Get a combination cable bicycle lock and lock the generator to your truck. You will need to put the generator outside while using it since it is air cooled.
I got a fancy 5 gallon safety can, DOT approved, very high tech. Unfortunately, it's heavy and I don't like carrying it around, so I got a 2.5 gallon plastic can that I like a lot. I can walk over to the gas islands and fill it up and it will let me run the generator for 2 to 3 days. Not a big hassle. Look into the rules regarding transporting gasoline. This is not a big deal, but be aware of the issues.
Cool your truck down with the truck's A/C before turning on the window unit. This works well. A small fan inside the truck is needed to get the cool air into the sleeper.
This setup is not perfect and it is a little bit of a hassle, but it's not a big hassle. The total cost is under $1,000 and the system is portable and servicing it is no problem at all. If the A/C breaks just buy another one. The Honda generator is very reliable. I think it is an appealing alternative to the $5,000 to $10,000 setups that still seem to have many frustrations built into them.
The Honda generator also has a battery charging output and cable, which is handy if you ever have dead batteries. The Honda will also power the block heater on your truck.