I think I just got an early Christmas present. Several months ago our base was sent one of the Real Power generator packages for a FORD F250 SWB 6.0...It was never installed since the company switched to Duramax this year. Real Power sent them a Duramax setup just recently that they are installing this weekend. RP is trying to sell the company several of these units so they gifted one(two). The base manager called to get an RMA for the FORD unit and they told him he could keep it in case someone with a FORD wanted to try it out so he named me. After remembering that I ordered my truck with a PTO I quickly agreed.

It's a sweet looking setup from the DVD that came with the unit and there is an upgrade that brings it from 12KW to 15KW(14.8). It has a 240vlt plug and two 30amp outlets. The breakout box mounts in the bed of the truck anywhere under the rail against the sidewall. I called them today after watching everything and asked it it could literally be used to run household size applications and they said yes it's no different than a regular generator except it's got a hell of a lot better engine. They claim at idle-up and full load it will use approximately .5 gallon per hour. They of course recommend using FORD's ability through the Upfitter switches to operate their unit.

This would be a hell of a setup if it works especially for us in Hurricane Land! I will definitely need the secondary tank(grin).Our mechanic is an retired FORD Diesel Tech instructor that gets to work on Duramax now so he's glad to get to play with mine.

Anyone out there have one of these or seen one in action. Hopefully they will get to mine this weekend and I'm going to leave my camera with the guy to take pictures as he does the install so I can post some pictures.

 

I was wondering how long it would take someone to offer this. Let us know how it turns out. Hopefully you won't have to give it a real test this year.


Ryan

 

Will Do...I do have to send RealPower pictures and video of it in action. 15 KW is quite a bit of power...I'll be setting up a shore-power line for my 5th wheel it pulls a decent load, but a 5kw will run it plenty. I may try hooking it up to the base trailer that I stay in while at work. I'll have to get the connection box myself. I can't complain for something as nice as this thing. I believe they are pretty pricey around $4500. If it works like they claim it would pay for itself for guys that use their trucks where there is no power.

Here is the website www.realacpower.com

I'll keep ya'll posted...

 

I'm jealous... I'd love to have one of those. I'd love it even more to have one for free!

Let us know how it works out...

 

Well they got the Duramax setup going today and if mine runs half as good it is the coolest-useful item to have on your truck. I agree it's a bit pricey, but so are Onan's that only put out 5kw. We powered up a 40ft 5th wheel today and turned the heaters on inside with all the lights both TV's and every thing we could find to plug in the outlets. Then I plugged in my 15amp Circular Saw. The heaters wouldn't stay on but a few minutes because it didn't take long for it to reach maximum temp inside with it being 90+ degrees outside. There was very little dimming when I cut with the saw and the DMAX didn't stutter.

There were some new hardware upgrades that were missing out of my setup so mine won't get installed until they come in supposedly tomorrow. The RealACPower guys seem to be really happy to help...Of course they stand to sell several of these to the company based on how I report back(grin).

 

Well my onboard generator is installed and working great. Now I just need to find some other applications to test it with. I have a buddy that has a welder that we will try later this week when I get home. The mechanic couldn't take pictures while he did the install because he was alone so I'll try and get it back on the lift before I leave and get some pictures. It fits very nice and neat and out of the way. The mechanic said the Ford install went much more smooth than the DMAX.

I've got a fairly big 220vlt compressor at home that should load it up really good. Regular power tools don't seem to phase this thing at all. They definitely include some quality gauge wire for the power box. I'll post some picts soon and also some video of it in use.