Webasto Blue Cool Truck

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by D16, Aug 16, 2007.

  1. D16

    D16 Light Load Member

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    Jul 11, 2007
    Vancouver
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    What you guys&gals thinking about this sleeper cooling device?It's not APU,generally it's freezer,using 12 volts and making ice cube while you driving.Then when you stop for rest it cool and dehumidifyed your sleeper for 10 hours and able to keep 70 degrees F,when outside is 90+.It has same size as APU,but no engine just special cell for coolant R134,weigh 300 pounds.Price with installation in Vancouver,BC $5300CAD.3 years warranty,no maintenance required.:biggrin_2558:
     
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  3. mikroos5

    mikroos5 Medium Load Member

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    Nov 16, 2006
    Mass.
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    I'm waiting for the answer to this question also,I'm very curious about them too.
     
  4. D16

    D16 Light Load Member

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    Jul 11, 2007
    Vancouver
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    For me it's big advantage in fuel saving,cause device doesn't have engine. One more engine-at least one more headache.And as I'm noticed on truckstops almost all APU's quite noisy.
     
  5. Steve & Lo

    Steve & Lo Medium Load Member

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    May 22, 2007
    Tennessee
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    I don't know....my TK Tri-Pak is mounted just in front of the R Drives...and I can hardly tell when it's running......not to mention....the 1800w inverter that comes with it is nice to have....and the fact that it charges the system....and keeps the motor warm in the winter....hmmmm I'll keep my Tri-Pak....
     
  6. Captain Canuck

    Captain Canuck "Captain of the Ship"

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    Apr 7, 2007
    Woodstock, NB, Canada
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    It seems to me that the BlueCool, and other devices like it, are a decent cost-effective alternative to either o/o's or fleets that can't or don't want to shell out the bucks for a APU. Unfortunately, I have heard absolutely nothing about them and don't know anyone who has one.
     
  7. lostNfound

    lostNfound Road Train Member

    3,506
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    Jun 28, 2007
    Home of the Stampede
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    I see a number of problems with it:

    1. I think it is over-priced for what it does ... they want $6,500 installed on this side of the Rockies. :biggrin_2551:

    2. It functions as a total loss unit, meaning that once it has discharged, you have to be running the truck engine to re-charge it. And, it takes 6 hours to re-charge.

    3. The cooling output is only 1,000 - 6,000 Btu/hr (per the Webasto website). Most of the APUs are about double that output.

    4. A single function vs. three for most APUs.

    5. It is heavy. It weighs 326 lbs ... as much as some APUs. If you want to add heat (diesel-fired) and/or batteries for power, you could end up adding considerably more weight.

    6. It is too big. It is about the same physical size of an APU too. The interior unit is big too ... about 2 feet square x 8 inches deep.
     
  8. 25(2)+2

    25(2)+2 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

    18,675
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    Sep 18, 2006
    the road less travelled
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    The Canadian Rigmaster, sold and serviced by Thermo-King, can be very noisy.

    They are also unreliable unless the newer versions have less trouble, I mean everything stops working with them.

    The Tri-Pac, also sold and serviced by T-K is much quieter and is plumbed into the main engine's cooling system , keeping the engine warmer for easier starts.

    The only APU's that are going to be allowed to run in California and probably some other states will have to comply with CARB rules, I don't know if any do yet.

    Webasto makes a heating unit that is lightweight and runs on less than an APU, Schneider trucks have them. The Blue Cool unit is a way to supply AC.

    I guess I don't know if I would do any of these things on my own truck, I also would hesitate to pay much for a used one on a used truck. Pre-plan to minimize going to places that don't allow idling and having to stay there, keep up with laws regarding usage of APUs and be willing to be flexible.
     
  9. D16

    D16 Light Load Member

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    Jul 11, 2007
    Vancouver
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    1-It doesn't need fuel. 2.-It's absolutely quiet. 3.-6 hours for recharge no problem,if you drive 11 hours shift. 4.-Heater from Webasto I believe weigh around 5-6 pounds and it sucks 1 gallon of fuel for 20 hours!:biggrin_25517:
     
  10. 25(2)+2

    25(2)+2 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

    18,675
    43,083
    Sep 18, 2006
    the road less travelled
    0
    Anything that stores thermally works better in a small sleeper than a condo, you can get by with a smaller unit. From their website, the storage is 17,500 BTUs, that might last 8-10 hours in a midsize sleeper during the cooler parts of the day, it wouldn't cool a blue condo like I have driven for three hours on a hot day.

    If an APU is charging it will run lights while you are parked, also will power things with AC or AC via an inverter.

    The APU can substitute for or supplement an AC unit on a truck that is operatinig poorly or needs repairs, the Webasto can't.

    Pros 1.62dB is quieter than a laptop cooling fan when it kicks in. No APU is that quiet.
    2.It doesn't require much extra fuel to recharge, a little additional energy while the unit is recharging, energy can neither be created or destroyed.
    3.There is no motor and no power generation, so lots less chance of something going wrong.

    I could ask about service availability and the probability of needing it, if it's absolutely reliable, it wouldn't matter, but I would hate to find out that service is unavailable if you need it. I'm just suggesting caution here, not condemning anything.
     
  11. oksana

    oksana Bobtail Member

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    Mar 28, 2014
    Tomball, TX
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    Our Volvo truck came with Webasto Blue Cool Truck unit.... Unfortunately, its blowing warm air into the bunk and I have been trying to find a shop around Houston, TX that would service this unit, without success. Called every location that webasto.com pulled around Houston, TX and none of them would agree to look at it.

    If anyone has a contact location for servicing Webasto, please let me know?!
     
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