1993 Chevrolet P30 Food Truck Build

i have been hearing about a power inverter in trucks. do i need one?

if you want to run stuff off a 12v battery you will. if not, no

Wild Dog is right..........But where the hell are his pictures LMAO. But if your going from one location to another and want to keep food hot using electric or food cold in a reach in you'll need that or a generator. Speaking of which I just bought a 10,000 watt surge 8000 watt continues generator for $400.00. But I spent another $75.00 driving to pick it up. It's got a 13 hp motor, electric start, battery, and is new, from Craig s List. And the soul purpose in buying the generator was so that I could take my step van to someones house and or office and do parties. I also have one event that I'll try next year that has no electric hook ups. But otherwise it's just for catering. Oh and by the way I have come to the conclusion that the water pumps that I have been buying in the past are not going into my step van. In my trailer I use to water pumps that are built for lawn sprinkling or fresh water wells. And they are expensive but run and last well but take a ton of watts to operate. So I'm going to the 12 volt water pumps on this build.  I'll just go to Radio shack and buy a small converter to wire them into my 120 volt system.
Jack

Jack, you could also just hard wire it to the battery. That's my next move. I have so many wires leading to my battery that when I put a new one in, I hooked the wrong ones up and mixed match.. Now I have to trace them out. Talk about SUCK!
 

The converter from radio shack is like $6.95 and then you just plug it in to the closest 120 volt receptacle . But of course your right you can run it straight off your battery. Good point.
 
Another thing that I have learned from living in my (1st build ) trailer for more than 5 years is don't buy or build a bunch of storage spaces that don't have doors. If you take any standard SS table and place equipment on top of it and use the bottom shelf for storage, it'll work. And SS always looks good.
 
BUT you'll also end up moving all the items your storing, and fight to clean the walls behind the storage shelf often. You'll also have to try and scrub around the back table legs and between the table legs and walls. If on the other hand you build cabinets with doors you don't have to tie everything down when you move and the dust, grease, and any other airborne contaminants won't get into that area, or at least not as quickly.If you do build cabinets choose your wood very carefully, don't go to some box store and buy off the shelf. You'll end up with press board boxes that will swell and fall apart at the first hint of ran. LOL or a leaking plumbing part or serious cleaning.
 
I'm a clean freak and I hate paying employees to do a half ass job and that's what the majority will do when asked to get into some hard to reach area or awkward position  to clean the lower half of the trailer. They end up doing a so-so job and those are the places the HD looks at if they can't find anything else. In Illinois or at least in Springfield the health department has a rule if your inspected 3 times and you don't have any violations you only get one inspection per year. But it's a surprise inspection and so you had better be ready any time your open, or you lose the Gold Medal Award and have to go another year to earn it back. I like that it gives the HD more time to inspect the bad boys and gives me less worry. But if I want to keep the good score I have to keep my place spotless.
Jack
 
PS (Build cabinets with doors).......And this is especially true of your under sink area.......but remember you'll need to get to the equipment from time to time so if you completely close up an area, do it with four self taping screws and a screw gun so you can open it up in a heartbeat. Nothing breaks down or leaks until 11:00 just minutes before the noon rush. So you need to repair or replace it in minutes not hours. 

pics are cominng just got a new camera. as soon as i figure out how to use it iwll send them to you.
i saw some where there is a formula to figure out the wattage of the generator you need.
does anyone know it?
 

There is a search box at the top of the page.
If you use it you'll find this link
http://www.roadfood.com/F...THREAD-m669837-p2.aspx

i saw a 7500w silent propane generator from duro power
for 1200.00 what do you guys think?
 

DuroMax 10000 Watt Portable Generator w/ Wheel Kit and Electric Start Carb Approved - XP10000E

http://autocarsuperstore.com/product/11157_DuroMax-XP10000E-10000-Watt-16-HP-OHV-4-Cycle-Gas-Powered-Portable-Generator-With-Wheel-Kit-And-Electric-Start.html
$860 online

The Dr of BBQ
2709 S 6th Street
Springfield Illinois 62703

thank you Dr. my truck is diesel. do you think a gas generator will be ok?

if you put gas in instead of diesel it will be fine, I'm not sure how having a diesel truck would affect a gas generator though, unless you plan on tying in the gas lines to fuel the genny, which i don't recommend, b/c if you run the gen dry you run your tank dry and you have to consider that it takes 1/10 of your tank to start and run your truck.  
 
http://www.saferwholesale...3_fmlK0CFcfe4AodOF68OQ
 

also,  propane genny's take around 20lbs per 8 hours of run time at half load, so you will be constantly running it to keep everything cold on the drive home and empty pockets in no time from having the tank or tanks refilled

All I know about the brand is a guy that's been and still is in the vending business here in Illinois swears by the them. In fact from his profits on his vending circuit he bought a dealership. But WildDog is right on the money with his post, both of them. I think the bigger generator or I should say the biggest generator you can afford is like an ace in the hole. Your not going to work it to death and your not going to hurt your electric equipment because your trying to pull more than your generator can produce. Do a search here on Road Food (it may be in the Food Truck thread ) but do the search it'll be faster and look for generators. I posted a couple fairly long threads from guys that know a lot about generators. Lorna has had a ton of experience with generators also. I only bought the generator I just bought because it had zero hours on it and it was dirt cheap. To tell the truth I plan on selling this one in the spring for double what I paid for it and buying the same unit I posted to this thread.
Jack

thank you so much for the info. i was looking at the xp8500e generator.
it is 200 less than the xp10000e. do you think that's enough power.
i am only going to have fan for the hood small sanwhich unit, microwave,lights,
water pump and no freezer maybe an undercounter refrig. any thoughts

Marco,
No one here can answer that question. You have to take each piece of equipment and figure out the Amps it uses, then add them up and use a conversion table to find to find out the number of watts you'll need to get from your generator. If it doesn't say on the piece of equipment do a search on line and hunt down the information that way. It'll take some time but it will save your making a wrong move and wasting money if you do it correctly.

Dr of BBQ - good find. That is the same generator that Northern tool sells for $999.00. It is made overseas. I have been checking it out because it has a 50A 220 recpt.  I have a leaf blower with the same make of engine on it and I have not had any problems with that but being forign made it may be difficult to get repair parts. You never know - most 10kw generators are almost $2k.

i am such an idiot. good thing i called the manufacture.
they are telling me that i can not enclose an air cooled generator in my truck
because it will overheat. truck came with a gerator box. i need a liquid cooled
generator. back to square one. any thoughts.

i've  ran a freezer, sandwich prep table, steam table, hood fan, micro wave, coffee pot,fridge, cash register,lights, on a 6500 troybilt genset, yes its noisy! but its like a timex watch still keeps tickin......i'm not saying yours will run the same but just what worked for me..my.02 worth

Dr of BBQ

Hey Doc got to Tractor Suppy and get a muffler and pipe to extend the muffler above the roof line and it will run quieter and direct the noise away from the customers.
Wild Dog is right..........But where the hell are his pictures LMAO. But if your going from one location to another and want to keep food hot using electric or food cold in a reach in you'll need that or a generator. Speaking of which I just bought a 10,000 watt surge 8000 watt continues generator for $400.00. But I spent another $75.00 driving to pick it up. It's got a 13 hp motor, electric start, battery, and is new, from Craig s List. And the soul purpose in buying the generator was so that I could take my step van to someones house and or office and do parties. I also have one event that I'll try next year that has no electric hook ups. But otherwise it's just for catering. Oh and by the way I have come to the conclusion that the water pumps that I have been buying in the past are not going into my step van. In my trailer I use to water pumps that are built for lawn sprinkling or fresh water wells. And they are expensive but run and last well but take a ton of watts to operate. So I'm going to the 12 volt water pumps on this build.  I'll just go to Radio shack and buy a small converter to wire them into my 120 volt system.
Jack

Great build thread! Thanks for taking the time to document this for all the aspiring mobile vendors.
I'm currently building a '96 Intl 16 ft step van. It's cold here in SLC!
(post count: 1) :)
 

My research into generators lead me down the diesel path.
1. Truck is diesel. I can fuel from a single tank.
2. I spoke with a seasoned food purveyor (friend of a friend) that insisted I look at diesels.
3. Spoke with my friend that specializes in power, he recommended a liquid cooled diesel after some of his own research.
4. A liquid cooled generator gives me some interior heating options.
5. (edit) I can enclose this and insulate to reduce noise further. Providing proper venting, of course.
6. BIG drawback...cost $$$. I was shocked by this. My build estimate didn't include enough funds for this big hitter!
Ended up with Onan Quiet Diesel 8000. Drove a long way to get a good deal on a low hour RV salvage unit.
.02

I'm just throwing this post out there....but where is reese? lol I hope everything is ok.

Had some time to do some work.
- Put up another panel of FRP on ceiling, I am trying to find FRP ceiling trim, like a wide inside corner trim piece but no luck.
- Cut hole for the rear RV window, will install once I cover the rear inside door with FRP.
- Built upper cabinet, I need to cover the inside with FRP and build doors.

 

 

 

 

Reese
 
What about using PVC trim.
 
It comes in various forms, or in board and you can custom fit your needs.
Check your local big box lumber yard for it.

Reese Are you going to use stainless steel doors for the cabinets, I was looking into how I could find premade cabinet doors and realized I could use barbeque Island cabinet stainless doors just an idea. Im still in the process of trying to find a company that sells it cheaper online I found out that lowes sells a specific size for $200.00  2ftx3ft opening but they can do special order sizes also.

Marco 226
If you are going to buy an inverter get the one from harbor freight tools I got the 5,000/10,000 inverter and plan on running my two refrigerators off of six 6volt deep cycle batteries. Cost will come out to being the same amount of using a generator but you end up avoiding the noisy and smelly generator.

greg198
stainless steel doors for the cabinets I found out that lowes sells a specific size for $200.00  2ftx3ft opening but they can do special order sizes also.

 
Do a search here on RF for the Challenger Door Company in northern Indiana they will custom make your doors much cheaper, than you'd ever dream. Or is it Champion Door I forgot? One or the other.

CajunKing


Reese

What about using PVC trim.

It comes in various forms, or in board and you can custom fit your needs.
Check your local big box lumber yard for it.

Thanks for the tip, I found some PVC trim that would be perfect. http://epiplastics.thomas...low-panel-trims/p0250?

greg198


Reese Are you going to use stainless steel doors for the cabinets, I was looking into how I could find premade cabinet doors and realized I could use barbeque Island cabinet stainless doors just an idea. Im still in the process of trying to find a company that sells it cheaper online I found out that lowes sells a specific size for $200.00  2ftx3ft opening but they can do special order sizes also.

 
I saw the stainless patio BBQ cabinets and doors but as you said they were all too pricey. I will check out Challenger but for this cabinet, I will make the doors out of wood, frp and aluminum trim like the cabinet itself.
 
After I started the cabinet build I found this on Ebay but I decided just to keep building versus buying.

Almost done with rear door, need to trim and fill. I cut the opening a bit to large so there is a gap at the top.

 

What a great thread!

Reese77, where did you get your single tube ceiling lights?
 
Thanks Mike

mikejames533


Reese77, where did you get your single tube ceiling lights?

Thanks Mike

 
Home Depot ($29), they are T8 fixtures, much brighter than traditional florescent tubes.

I looked at Home Depot online, but could not find the $29 T8 fixture. They are 4' long, correct?  Do you have a model # ?
 
Thank you for your help,
Mike
 

mikejames533


I looked at Home Depot online, but could not find the $29 T8 fixture. They are 4' long, correct?  Do you have a model # ?

Thank you for your help,
Mike

Yes, they are 4'. I will get the model tomorrow when I go into the truck.

hello all...i build my own doors for my shelves...i used .040 aluminum, and use piano hinge, thin i got thin rubber to go around the edges...it looks great...people didnt believe i build it...lol    i hope this helps...

greg198
stainless steel doors for the cabinets I found out that lowes sells a specific size for $200.00  2ftx3ft opening but they can do special order sizes also.

Do a search here on RF for the Challenger Door Company in northern Indiana they will custom make your doors much cheaper, than you'd ever dream. Or is it Champion Door I forgot? One or the other.

i have a few hidden leaks in my roof, i had to take the insulation and aluminum  down to find the leaks, or tiny drips...any suggestions...its preventing me from finishing the rest of my ft projet

Eternabond Tape

I ordered a new fresh water tank. I never liked my under sink setup as my current tank is too large. The new tank is 34" x 18 x 12 and will allow me to change the way I have the drain pipes configured.
 
After reading other threads, I want to get rid of my electric tankless and buy a propane tankless like this one. The issue that I have is that my sink is on the customer serving side and I do not want to vent the heater toward the customers. The vent cannot be routed downward out the bottom of the truck, so the only other option is straight up through the ceiling. I sent the manufacturer a question about routing the pipe this way but no response as of yet.
 
Has anyone routed their LP tankless through the ceiling?

mikejames533


I looked at Home Depot online, but could not find the $29 T8 fixture. They are 4' long, correct?  Do you have a model # ?

Thank you for your help,
Mike

 
The 1 lamp strip is made by Lithonia Lighting and the model is 204RUH.

Thank you reese77 for your help . Wow my Home Depot price is $22.92 per light. Going to go pick up 4 of them soon to replace my old fixtures.
 
Thanks again,
Mike
 
 

reese77
I want to buy a propane tankless like this one. . The vent cannot be routed downward out the bottom of the truck, so the only other option is straight up through the ceiling. I sent the manufacturer a question about routing the pipe this way but no response as of yet. Has anyone routed their LP tank-less through the ceiling?

 
Yes mine vents through the ceiling. I used a double wall 4 inch pipe straight up cut a hole and put a collar on the top. Works fine and it's been like that for 6 years.

Dr of BBQ

reese77
I want to buy a propane tankless like this one. . The vent cannot be routed downward out the bottom of the truck, so the only other option is straight up through the ceiling. I sent the manufacturer a question about routing the pipe this way but no response as of yet. Has anyone routed their LP tank-less through the ceiling?

Yes mine vents through the ceiling. I used a double wall 4 inch pipe straight up cut a hole and put a collar on the top. Works fine and it's been like that for 6 years.

 
Thanks. What type of collar did you put on the top. I have been looking at vent pips and caps trying to find a low profile cap that keeps the rain out of the pipe but is not a huge eyesore.

Heck I don't know what it's called but it's round and slides pretty tightly over the pipe where is goes through the roof. We put some sealant on it when we built it and I haven't touched it since.
 
LMAO I just went out and looked at it from the ground and the collar is two inches above the roof. i'll bet it's hit on tree branches as we moved the trailer to go to events. God. It hasn't leaked but it will now that we talked about it. LOL
Jack
PS come to think about it it looks like the collar that is right on top of a home hot water heater. I bought it at Lowes.
 
 

---

Galvanized Storm Collar (4 Inch) (SC 4 )
High Quality Storm Vent Collars in galvanized metal to secure and weather seal your stove, gas, flue and other exhaust pipes. Made of 26 gauge metal. Tightening Bolt included.
PRICE: $12.01

there is a company in norh JERSEY...i do not remember the name.
they will do a blue print for you for 300.00

i plan on buying the same generator.
my truck came with a generator box.
i called the manufacture and the distriurator for the measurments.
i got three differant dimentions.
if you do not mined can you tell me the dementions without the wheels.

i plan on buying the same generator.
my truck came with a generator box.
i called the manufacture and the distriurator for the measurments.
i got three differant dimentions.
if you do not mined can you tell me the dementions without the wheels.

New fresh water tank fits alot nicer under the sink, now I can properly plumb the drains.

That looks much better! What size tank did you go with?

mikejames533


That looks much better! What size tank did you go with?

 
30 Gallon (34" x 18" x 12"). The last tank was 35 Gallon.

I hope for your sake that that blue little knob attached to that little pipe is NOT your drain pipe. Speaking from experience you will wish you had a bigger one if it is. I've had more issues with even 1.5" pipe getting clogged, that I actually cut out my sinks and went with only a hand washing sink and replaced my counter top. HD was perfectly fine with it and told me I didn't even need a hand wash sink as long as I had a hand washing station ( which consisted of a water jug and paper towels. )   I was PISSED lol   I actually MOCKED your first set up on your build on my food truck. I had to raise my sinks a bit with some pipe and it seems to be functional and everything is screwed to the wall.

THE WILD DOG


I hope for your sake that that blue little knob attached to that little pipe is NOT your drain pipe. Speaking from experience you will wish you had a bigger one if it is. I've had more issues with even 1.5" pipe getting clogged, that I actually cut out my sinks and went with only a hand washing sink and replaced my counter top. HD was perfectly fine with it and told me I didn't even need a hand wash sink as long as I had a hand washing station ( which consisted of a water jug and paper towels. )   I was PISSED lol   I actually MOCKED your first set up on your build on my food truck. I had to raise my sinks a bit with some pipe and it seems to be functional and everything is screwed to the wall.

 
Yes, the blue valve is the tank drain. The standard threaded holes provided are only 3/8". I found a 3/8" to 1/2" quick connect valve (pictured) and 1/2" opaque RV style water line. I will use that for both fresh water tank drain and fresh water feed to pump.
 
I'm not worried about clogging from the fresh water tank, the water inlet will have a screen (HD required) to prevent bugs from entering the tank, so there should be nothing in the tank to clog the drain....I hope.

oh that's just a fresh tank... oh no worries LOL I thought for a min that you put your waste under the sink and not under the truck. SMH man i'm burnt out lol . I will admit that round tank is a freakin beast to work around.

THE WILD DOG


oh that's just a fresh tank... oh no worries LOL I thought for a min that you put your waste under the sink and not under the truck. SMH man i'm burnt out lol . I will admit that round tank is a freakin beast to work around.

 
No prob, I understand, I think everyone is burnt out....TGIF
 
My waste tank in underneath the truck, I want to replace that with this, since my current waste tank is not sloped to the drain, but the tank on Ebay is a bit too big and that has been the case with all the true RV waste tanks I have seen online, either too long or too wide.
 
Yes, that old fresh water tank is a beast but it will be put to good use in my hydroponic green house build this summer.

for my slope issue, I just let the drain side hang a tad bit lower than the back side, I still have to cut the hole and buy the liquid pvc to seal it. I just haven't found a pvc twist lock pipe that is actually easy to turn.
 

I re-calculated my electrical needs since I am going with a propane steam table and a propane water heater. Am I wrong in seeing that a 6500W generator will be more than enough and I do not need to go for a 10,000W generator?

If the picture is too small, you can enlarge here. 

http://www.jobsite-genera...power_calculators.html
Convert Amps to Watts
Voltage     Amps to watts to figure generator size

I went to a restaurant equipment auction today in hopes of getting a used hood vent, griddle and char broiler. The hood vent turned out to be a professional kitchen vent and not commercial vent and the griddle and broiler were too big. I ended up buying a pallet of togo boxes, cups, etc. a pallet of silicone food ties, a stainless table and a pallet of chef coats. I should profit nicely on Ebay.
 
I bought a 6000W generator and my LP tankless arrived today. It is raining now so I will see what I can get done tomorrow if whether permits.

 

Tight squeeze....I need to figure the exhaust out.

 

Hello Reese,
What a great posting! I just started reading it, so maybe I've missed it, but I'm wondering how you handled a couple of tasks.
1. Cutting large sheets of stainless or aluminum. (A shear is not in my budget :-)
2. Bending Stainless for corners etc. (metal brakes are expensive also)
3. Mounting equipment. It looks like you haven't gotten to that point yet, but I'm wondering about mounting grills, fryers, etc. I'm not sure mounting to the inner wall (wood) is strong enough.  
 
I just bought a P30 also and I'm just getting started, so your posting is invaluable. Kudos