1993 Chevrolet P30 Food Truck Build

Reese, can you provide any links on the dist block & the in line fuses ? I wanna see what you are working with if you don't mind.

THE WILD DOG


Reese, can you provide any links on the dist block & the in line fuses ? I wanna see what you are working with if you don't mind.

 
Dist Block
 
Shunt
 
fuse
 
fuse holder
 
 
 
 

That is not bad at all. Do you run a huge battery system ?

i'm not sure what kind of power reese will be working with, but I will be running 10,000-15,000 watts & about 50-70amps for 8-10 hours a day. 

im not looking forward to TWO purchases. The inverter & the battery charger. HA !   those alone will be about $1000 or more

I'm not familiar with the inverter system. But don't you need a lot of batteries to run that. Why not a generator? The Hondas are super quiet and near bomb proof.

Honda doesn't make one that big and I currently have a 10k generator and let's just say that when they design these generators, they don't really look into the fact that someone like me will mount it to the bumper and run the SH&T out of it. I've had to go behind and re install most of the screws and thread them with locktite so they would stop backing out on their own.   As far as batteries, realistically you will need about 4-6 6volt batteries,(180 a piece ) a sine wave inverter ( $1000+ ) some good ol 0 gauge, fuese lines ( $100 ) and one serious charger ($600+ )   still cheaper than a few generators. I am on my THIRD one  and i get about 2 days of use with $20 worth of fuel  so adding it all up, It will pay for itsself in no time

Yes you are correct. I have a 10 k Honda but it is Honda engine on it. It runs at 78 d b. We switched out the muffler and that brings it down by 5 to 7 db depending on the load.

I ran out of terminal rings and need red 4 gauge wire to complete the setup, should be here tomorrow, then I can finally finish the wiring and test.
 

Hello Reese
Your cables look clean, way to go. Keep up the good work.

Uncle Groucho


Hello Reese
Your cables look clean, way to go. Keep up the good work.

 
Gracias. I bought one of those small butane torches to heat up the terminals so I could solder the wire after crimping but that thing takes like 5-10 minutes to heat up the metal before I can solder. I need to buy a full size torch.

Hello Reese
I just typed for 20 min and lost it all.
Do you have a batt box built yet? , I see you cutting expensive cable and doing a good job, I hope all of this is not just to test it. I wont comment any further until your reply. Just dont forget to leave a little extra cable between connections.
Where will be the final resting place of the Battery Box?

Uncle Groucho


Hello Reese
I just typed for 20 min and lost it all.
Do you have a batt box built yet? , I see you cutting expensive cable and doing a good job, I hope all of this is not just to test it. I wont comment any further until your reply. Just dont forget to leave a little extra cable between connections.
Where will be the final resting place of the Battery Box?

 
Yes, the metal frame in in previous post. I laid the batteries out on the table the way they will be in the box and trying to keep things tight together. I have been keeping the final layout in mind the entire time.

Hello Reese
Good Deal. This thread is getting so long I forget what I read. Good Work, Oh by the way....HURRY UP

Uncle Groucho


Hello Reese
Good Deal. This thread is getting so long I forget what I read. Good Work, Oh by the way....HURRY UP

 
I am rushing but always waiting on parts to arrive. I will get some work done tomorrow.

story of our lives... always waiting for something to arrive hahahaha
 

Hello Reese
Im just busting your Chops. But, Hurry up every chance you get.
All joking aside, take your time and do it right, When I read about you in the NEWS I want it to be about YOU thinking outside the BOX, NOT you being INSIDE the BOX.
I really cant wait, this is  almost like Christmas, But I hope you finish sooner
Keep up the good work and maybe I can take a Road Trip and write my First Trip Report about you.
Be Good, Be SAFE , Karl
 

Hooked up my batteries, inverter, etc. today but my meter was not reading AMPs or AH and I could not program in 2 of the settings. I need to study the user manual for the Trimetric 2025 further then try again. I hooked up my garage refrigerator and deep freezer and there were running w/o issues but without the meter reading the current/amps being drawn or how many AH, I unplugged until I can get the meter working.

 

 

 
The camera would not show the meter numbers/lights.

Is anyone willing to share what their cost was or expected to be to build your own food truck.   I am in the very early stages of planning and need an idea of where the cost would be.  I plan on buying a used step van for around $5000.00 and doing the build myself.  If you are willing to share some details about your build that would be great so I can adjust the amount to reflect different equipment.  If you would rather PM me that would be great.  Thank you in advance.
 
cue

i anticipated about 18,000 for my build, and went over it by 7000.  I bought my equipment at an auction ( used ) to save money. My advice, start at page 1 of this thread and bring a note pad. All the info you will need is in this thread

Thank you. I got to about page 8 last night and planned to chip away at it today.  Lots of good info. I currently own a brick and mortar restaurant and plan to make a mobile version instead of another brick and mortar.

Excuse me Reese, but How much could be the lifetime of those batteries loading and unloading every day with these high loads (8000W)? Noise apart, it's worth use them instead of a conventional generator? (The cost of maintenance). I think the same as you, why more people do not pursue this option? I'm seriously considering doing the same as you, because my problem is not the noise, is the high price of fuel here in my country. I appreciate all the information that you have shared. Thank You and sorry for my english. 

nothing wrong with the post above, your English is terrific !

I think I missed something in all the post.  Is the use of the battery pack to replace a generator?  How long would they last?  I know it will depend on what you plug into it.  So how long do you intend on it lasting with what equipment?

Cue, you need to back up a few post and or read the thread from the start about what he will be running on the 12 volt system. It's a long thread and he has worked through the numbers including amps per hour over several post.

Wild Dog, Are you already using the battery bank and the voltaje inverter? Could you explain me your setup? What kind of inverter and how many hours of battery life? thank you! I hope that Reese share his experiences soon with the battery bank.

I hope to know the results soon. I have read this thread from the first post through here. I was just about to order a new LP generator (5.5 watt Onan) and pay to have the install. I'm looking at spending $8700. Yikes! I just can't continue with my current set up (portable generator in & out of the truck-too heavy- too loud- doesn't power everything... UGH!) BUT- now I'm wondering if I should change out my current electric steamers for a LP steam table. Then I will run my grill, steamers, fryer on LP. I will run my fridge, cash register, lights, and warmer on electric. I could then go with a battery bank or a smaller generator and cut my costs. I have to figure this out (with all your help) as NOBODY here knows anything about food trucks- I am the first and only in our area.
 
Thanks for a great thread Reese! This info is SO valuable.

quel1970


I hope to know the results soon. I have to figure this out (with all your help) as NOBODY here knows anything about food trucks- I am the first and only in our area. Thanks for a great thread Reese! This info is SO valuable.

 
Not to answer for Reese but do you have anyone close that works on recreational vehicles? Most of the RVs use some sort of 12 volt system and if you find an experienced RV mechanic he may be worth his weight in gold. Sometimes the new kids/younger (in the RV repair business) don't have enough years of experience under their belt to do a system from scratch but  anyone that has been working in the field for 15 or 20 years should be a big help. If you can't find an RV guy post an ad on Craigslist.

Dr- There is one RV place that is willing to work on the truck. The other ones in the area refuse, saying they only work on RVs. They are the ones that are willing to install the gen & LP tank, reluctantly. The labor is $125/hr and the gen they wanted to sell me was $5770 but I found it for $3700. Again, I just want to be able to run the truck efficiently without the current headaches. Plus I would like to not spend another $8000. I'm wondering if I change out a few things to LP so I could use a smaller generator it would be cost effective. 

quel1970


Dr- There is one RV place that is willing to work on the truck. The other ones in the area refuse, saying they only work on RVs. They are the ones that are willing to install the gen & LP tank, reluctantly. The labor is $125/hr and the gen they wanted to sell me was $5770 but I found it for $3700. Again, I just want to be able to run the truck efficiently without the current headaches. Plus I would like to not spend another $8000. I'm wondering if I change out a few things to LP so I could use a smaller generator it would be cost effective. 

 
I would try to find a LP steam table, that is what is saving me. If I had to use my 2 electric steam tables, that would be way too much power. My power needs are actually not that great, the highest use appliance is the AC unit and I will not use that most of the time.