Generator on a Company truck

I love to go to sleep with the little bit of engine rumble that idling provides.

I suspect you may have an issue if you're thinking about carrying a can of gas alongside. Also, any combustion engine is going to smell some after having been run and then shut down. The inside of your truck is going to stink. Then there's the issue of securing the genny on the outside. IMHO, an all around bad idea.

Solar, on the other hand, is going to require extra battery storage. If I was you, I'd get used to idling.

 

Just keep it simple.. run the motor

 

Good luck finding a small setup that runs on diesel. You try storing gasoline at some point it is going to be more then you want to deal with. Also depending on your loads tractor weight might be an issue. Your also inviting people parked next to you to do stuff. I was parked once next to a driver running a small setup that drove me up the wall. I don't recommend you do it.

 

There are two regulations you must comply with if you chose to use a portable generator. The first is transporting and storage of fuel for the generator and the second is the fuel delivery system. Carrying gasoline in a small can is fine as long as it is less than 8 gallons, an approved container and properly secured while in motion. The problem for using standard portable generators is the fuel system regulations found in 393.65 (d) which prohibits gravity fed fuel systems on commercial motor vehicles and their auxiliary power systems. You need to find a generator with an electric fuel pump not one with the tank on top that uses gravity to feed it. A typical inverter type gasoline powered generator from Home Depot or Lowes is not going to be compliant, you will need a RV type generator.

§392.51 Reserve fuel; materials of trade.
Small amounts of fuel for the operation or maintenance of a commercial motor vehicle (including its auxiliary equipment) may be designated as materials of trade (see 49 CFR 171.8).

(a) The aggregate gross weight of all materials of trade on a motor vehicle may not exceed 200 kg (440 pounds).

(b) Packaging for gasoline must be made of metal or plastic and conform to requirements of 49 CFR Parts 171, 172, 173, and 178 or requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration contained in 29 CFR 1910.106.

(c) For Packing Group II (including gasoline), Packing Group III (including aviation fuel and fuel oil), or ORM-D, the material is limited to 30 kg (66 pounds) or 30 L (8 gallons).

(d) For diesel fuel, the capacity of the package is limited to 450 L (119 gallons).

(e) A Division 2.1 material in a cylinder is limited to a gross weight of 100 kg (220 pounds). (A Division 2.1 material is a flammable gas, including liquefied petroleum gas, butane, propane, liquefied natural gas, and methane).

§393.65 All fuel systems.
(a) Application of the rules in this section. The rules in this section apply to systems for containing and supplying fuel for the operation of motor vehicles or for the operation of auxiliary equipment installed on, or used in connection with, motor vehicles.

(b) Location. Each fuel system must be located on the motor vehicle so that—

(1) No part of the system extends beyond the widest part of the vehicle;

(2) No part of a fuel tank is forward of the front axle of a power unit;

(3) Fuel spilled vertically from a fuel tank while it is being filled will not contact any part of the exhaust or electrical systems of the vehicle, except the fuel level indicator assembly;

(4) Fill pipe openings are located outside the vehicle's passenger compartment and its cargo compartment;

(5) A fuel line does not extend between a towed vehicle and the vehicle that is towing it while the combination of vehicles is in motion; and

(6) No part of the fuel system of a bus manufactured on or after January 1, 1973, is located within or above the passenger compartment.

(c) Fuel tank installation. Each fuel tank must be securely attached to the motor vehicle in a workmanlike manner.

(d) Gravity or syphon feed prohibited. A fuel system must not supply fuel by gravity or syphon feed directly to the carburetor or injector.

(e) Selection control valve location. If a fuel system includes a selection control valve which is operable by the driver to regulate the flow of fuel from two or more fuel tanks, the valve must be installed so that either—

(1) The driver may operate it while watching the roadway and without leaving his/her driving position; or

(2) The driver must stop the vehicle and leave his/her seat in order to operate the valve.

(f) Fuel lines. A fuel line which is not completely enclosed in a protective housing must not extend more than 2 inches below the fuel tank or its sump. Diesel fuel crossover, return, and withdrawal lines which extend below the bottom of the tank or sump must be protected against damage from impact. Every fuel line must be—

(1) Long enough and flexible enough to accommodate normal movements of the parts to which it is attached without incurring damage; and

(2) Secured against chafing, kinking, or other causes of mechanical damage.

(g) Excess flow valve. When pressure devices are used to force fuel from a fuel tank, a device which prevents the flow of fuel from the fuel tank if the fuel feed line is broken must be installed in the fuel system.

 

I'm confused, your a company driver with an apu? What's the issue? The unit running shouldn't be counting against your idle time. Is it too noisy and keeping you up at night? The installation of solar panels and extra batteries is more likely to get you fired rather than a slap on the back the next time a terminal tech looks at your truck, unless you had your company approve it and do the installation even if you had to pay them. It just seems like your putting in a lot of effort only to screw yourself, so I have to ask what is the problem with your apu and inverter that came supplied, perhaps theres a better solution.

 

He does not have an APU, that is why he wants to get a portable generator. He has an inverter installed by the company but running his tv and computer during breaks runs his batteries down quickly and since he can't idle he is looking for a way to extend his play time with the computer.

 

Ah I must have misread, that makes a lot more sense. All the same though be wary of installing anything in the truck esp anything electric without company approval. The batteries should also be stored in a sealed and vented box if they're gonna be in the cab.