hat if you want the benefits of on-board 120-volt AC power in your existing truck or tow vehicle but can’t spring for the cost of the new F-150 PowerBoost? Mobile Electronic Power Solutions (MEPS) of Garland, Texas offers a wide range of products to help you power up household appliances (or tools) when RVing off the grid using engine power as the source. The main component of the company’s basic system is a generator (resembling a large alternator) that is mounted to the engine via an application-specific bracket. The generator converts rotating mechanical power from the engine into variable electrical power via the alternating current unit (ACU). The ACU controls the generator and converts its power into clean sinewave power. The basic 3kW system includes the generator, pulley, engine bracket, ACU and cabling and retails for $5430, plus 6 to 12 hours of installation time. It’s not cheap, but when completed, you’ll have a rugged system that has been proven reliable in fire and rescue/EMS, government/military and commercial vehicle applications.
Once installed, the generator will supply continuous power to charge the trailer battery(ies) whenever it’s plugged into the tow vehicle. When the pre-programmed discharge level is reached, the system’s auto-start feature will start the tow vehicle’s engine to supply power and re-charge the batteries. The system can also support the trailer when the tow vehicle is disconnected, with up to 400-amp hours of juice (dual battery system). That’s enough capacity to run a 15,000 Btu roof air conditioner continuously for nearly four hours before the system must be re-charged, according to the company. You can even monitor discharge levels and other data via Bluetooth on your mobile phone.
