Best Food Truck Generator, How to Pick?

You’re always on the go in the food truck business, so you need a reliable power source to keep your profitable business up and running because relying on the truck’s battery isn’t an option. 

It’s a power extravaganza when it comes to food trucks because not only will you be powering all the appliances inside, but the decorative lights and signboards on the outside as well. Not to mention a food truck comes with it’s own set of appliances, including: 

• Microwaves 
• Ovens
• Fryers 
• Freezers 
• Dishwashers
• And, much more 

So, it all comes down to having a reliable, clean, and efficient energy source. The time of gas, diesel, propane (LPG), and inverters is over. Not only are they expensive in the long run, they are extremely noisy and produce hazardous exhaust. 

What is a Food Truck Generator?

Since you’ll be powering tons of appliances far away from an AC wall outlet because you’ll be out in a busy street when the masses take their lunch break, you need a consistent and solid energy supply. This is where a food truck generator comes in. And, not just any generator, we’re talking about a solar generator, which is inexpensive when compared to its conventional counterparts: diesel and gasoline. Although butane and LPG are easily stored and cheap, they simply can’t power so many appliances, signboards, and lights, simultaneously. 

The solution: go solar with a credible solar generator kit. 

How to Pick the Best Generator for a Food Truck?

It depends; every food truck will have varied energy requirements, etc. But, the paramount factor is nailing the process of calculating your food truck’s energy requirements; this is to be carefully done. Check these factors off of your list for starting on the right track. 

Size 

Food truck generators come in all shapes and sizes. Since space is a limiting factor here, you should go for the optimal option in terms of space— having a compact generator that doesn’t compromise on power. Nowadays, compact solar panels produce substantial power. For example, the BLUETTI AC200 Max weighs only 61.9 lbs and has dimensions measuring 16.5 x 11 x 15.2 inches, yet it produces 2,200 W. 

Energy Requirements 

This is the most crucial step, requiring immense focus. Ironically, it’s the most simple task to do. Here’s how you do it: 

• Survey the starting and running watts of all your appliances. The numbers can be found labeled on the appliances. For the signboards and lights, you can record their energy requirements while installing them or consult an electrician. 
• If you can’t find a wattage rating, use this formula to calculate total watts consumed by that particular appliance: Watts (W) = Volts (V) x Amps (A). 
• Also, consider the starting watts of the heaviest appliance. Add the amount to the total runnings watts. 
• Once you’ve identified all individual values, add them up to get your food truck’s total energy requirement. 
• To be safe, invest in a generator that produces at least 10% higher power output than your requirements. 

To give you a better idea on how to calculate your food truck’s energy requirements, here’s a list of common appliances found in food trucks, and their starting and running watts. 

Run Time 

After figuring out your food truck’s total energy requirement, you will have to multiply it with the number of hours you’ll be in business. For instance, if you’ll be operating for 8 hours and your total energy requirement is 3 kW, you’ll be needing 24 kWh of energy to operate for 8 hours. 

This figure is highly ambiguous as it will differ with every situation. The calculation we’ve done above assumes all appliances are running continuously for 8 hours, which won’t be the case. This is just a ballpark figure that you can base your planning on. 

Noise Levels, Emissions, and Ventilation 

Imagine your starving customers lining up in dozens to get your tasty treats. To power such peak demand, you start your gas-powered generator, which upon starting hurls toxic, black smoke on your customers’ faces and appliances. Then, the 100 dB noise from the generator creates further nuisance. In all this chaos, there’s you, gasping for air inside the truck due to a lack of ventilation. 

This entire nightmare can be prevented by simply going solar. 

Battery Lifespan 

If you’re spending thousands on a solar generator kit, you’d want your investment to last you a lifetime, right? Modern solar generator kits come with the latest technology, especially for batteries. Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries provide you with tons of life cycles before depleting their total charging capacity. 

The BLUETTI AC200 Max boasts an incredible LiFePO4 battery that offers you 3,500+ life cycles before dropping to 80% capacity. 

These are the Different Types of Generators for Food Trucks 

For years, the most popular types of portable generators for trucks were: 

• Gasoline 
• Diesel 
• LPG 
• Butane 
• Inverter 
• And, Solar 

But, generators running on fossil fuels are becoming obsolete. Why? They come with a lot of baggage. For instance, you can not operate them indoors because their toxic exhaust consisting of carbon monoxide will poison your customers, staff, and yourself. Moreover, they are obnoxiously loud, pumping almost 100 dB of noise pollution. 

Why Going Solar is the Best Option?

Going solar is the best thing you can do for your mobile business because solar equates to freedom, in every sense of the word. Solar provides you access to infinite, renewable energy, which is noiseless, clean, and efficient. You can also use it indoors. The main highlight of solar energy is its scalability; you have complete flexibility to enhance the capacity of your system as your requirements increase. 

What Size Generator will Work for My Food Truck?

The size of your generator will depend on plenty of factors: your energy requirements, hours of operation, etc. If you want to save yourself from losing sizable revenue, then always go for a generator that produces more power output than your energy demand. 

How Much is a Solar Generator for a Food Truck?

A food truck generator’s cost depends on the specs you’ll be going for, the features, its power output, type, and practicality. You can get a conventional generator for around $3,000, however, with solar, the initial investment will be slightly higher, but will break even in the long run. Eventually, you won’t have to spend a penny on your energy expenditure. 

Here’s Why the BLUETTI AC200 Max + 3*PV200 Solar Generator Kit is Your Best Bet 

Since solar is an exceptional alternative to generators running on dinosaurs, we put forth a product for you that encapsulates the truest essence of solar: freedom. The BLUETTI AC200 Max + 3*PV200 Solar Generator Kit gives you excellent performance and practicality. Here’s how: 

Impeccable Performance 

This innovative solar machine boasts a 2,200 W Full Power Pure Sine Wave inverter, which can withstand 4,800 W of surge. Together, both the Pure Sine Wave inverter and ultra-durable LFP cells produce 2,048 Wh of output. With a single AC200 Max unit, here’s what you can power: 

Obviously, you’ll be wanting more juice out of your solar generator to support your mobile business, which is exactly why such solar options are the perfect choice for you. How? They provide you unparalleled flexibility with their 100% modular design. The AC200 Max comes with 2 extension ports, welcoming 2 BLUETTI B230s (2,048 Wh each) or 2 BLUETTI B300s (3,072 Wh each), the latter providing a staggering 8,192 Wh of power output. 

This power galore is regulated and protected by the AC200 Max’s trailblazing LiFePO4 battery, which comes with a competent Battery Management System (BMS). Fortunately, the battery can survive 3,500+ full life cycles before dropping capacity to 80%. 

Ultimate Practicality 

Obviously, quick and sufficient charging is the main consideration with solar power; you can easily fill your generator with gas from the jerry can you’ve stored. However, BLUETTI has made charging hassle-free. 

You can completely charge your kit in less than 2 hours with 900 W of solar input and 500 W via the adaptor, giving you a 1,400 W charging rate. Adding to the glory, every AC200 Max unit comes with 2 input ports for AC adaptors. Upon adding each module, you’ll get an extra 500 W of juice. 

And, with its 16 outlets, BLUETTI ensures 99% coverage for all types of appliances. Finally, reaping the benefits of modern technology, you can control and monitor your solar generator kit through the BLUETTI Smart App. 

 Buy it here 

Final Thoughts 

Running a mobile food truck is a profitable business but doing it the right way matters. The right way is harnessing solar energy, which rids your life of several headaches and nuisances, giving you the ultimate freedom to exercise your dealings in a clean, fair, and profitable way. By doing so, the BLUETTI AC200 Max is your best bet.