Mobile espresso truck/van?

[beans]

Espreso911,

What brand/size generator do you have in the truck? I have heard that the Honda generators are the quietest and am leaning towards purchasing a 6000W Honda for my truck, but am curious on what other people are running.

 

[Espresso911]

Big Generator

I'm using a Honda 6050. No problems at all.

 

[Espresso911]

Sound Proofing

While the Honda Generator is quite... I've still added engine sound proofing from West Marine supplies. Now it really quite.

 

[beans]

Espresso911,

Thanks for the info.

 

[drrule]

exhaust

For those that have a mobile unit with the generator in the vehicle.

Since you need to have the power on while driving between locations how do you exhaust?

 

[Espresso911]

Why?

Why do you need the power on bettween stops? If there close together there's no reason to use the generator constantly.

 

[beans]

I just assumed that you could run an exhaust hose either through a hole in the side of the truck or the back...when the truck is stopped at an event.

Do you have all of your coffee equipment secured down on tables? We are going to have everything in bins under the tables and once we stop, pull everything out and hook up to the power. Bolting everything down seemed like a pain considering that when we park the truck at the end of the day, we want to bring everything inside to clean and store.

 

[drrule]

I figured it would need to heat up prior to getting on location. Takes 20 minutes for the espresso machine to get up to speed. I guess there is the option of just leaving the doors of the van open, get the boiler to temp, turning the power off then turn it back on once on location.


Other issue, noise.

 

[Espresso911]

Sound Proofing

I purchased some sound proofing at West Marine and put that around the Generator. Works fairly well although it's a bit expensive.

 

[Espresso911]

New Website

Seattle Coffee Trucks just put up a new website. Most of your questions concerning Espresso Trucks can be answered there. good luck!

 

[fireant]

I am researching the different operational plans of espresso van operators.

What is the contract that espresso van operators talk about? Does this allow you on th property to sell on a "per drink" basis? Or is this a contract where you charge a business a set fee per month and then provide a specific # of drinks per day?

Any information would be appreciated.