I have a webasto heater in my truck, I never could sleep with the truck idling, they are a lot less expensive than an APU and work very well, a lot of companies that run in the north use them

I am also looking into a company that makes A/C units that run on a separete set of batteries, also less expensive than an APU

If I was to order a new truck I would order it with a generator but because of the age of my truck I just can't see spending that much money, but I would consider a used unit for about half the cost,

I think that most of these big companies don't invest in APUs because of the cost, and it is probably cheaper for them to have their drivers idle, also I don't think that most of these companies care about the comfort of their drivers anyway

Here's a couple off the top of my head.

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I think that within a couple of years, that all new trucks/sleepers, will come with an APU unit as standard equipment. They are the best solution to the idling problem that plagues our industry.

Most of the commercial units run on from between .25 to .5 gallons of fuel per hour. they heat in the winter, cool in the summer, charge the truck batteries, provide 120 AC for block heaters, micros, and many other appliances. they can be used to operate power tools ie. buffers, drills etc.

They will effectually pay for themselves in about 1 year, and are deductible as a business expense. they save wear and tear on the equipment, and are legal in all states as an alternative to idling.

The unit I use is from Comfortmaster [LINK POSTED BY MEMBER] Only Members Can View This Truck Forum Link.
It costs approx. $7,000 and is worth every bit of that. It is enclosed in a polished alum. case and is very quiet.
It payed for itself in the first 11 months of use in fuel savings versus idling I used to have a big power inverter, but had to run the motor in order to use it. With this unit, it will self start wnenever it senses that my truck batteries are getting low.

With this type unit, you can keep your idle % to less than 10%.

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From the oft Times Bedraggled and Sometimes Deranged Mind Of Runamuk

I wish someone could make a 'good' solar powered air conditioner!! (preferably something smaller than the size of the truck itself ... lol)

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Some say that if you play a Microsoft CD backwards, it plays satanic noises. That\'s nothing, \'cause if you play it forwards, it installs Windows..

I notice how the guys who run primarily up north are dismissing the APUs. Well, let me tell you, its a lot easier to get warm than it is to cool down. For folks running down in the Sunbelt, especially those that aren't rolling during the day, cooling down is absolutely critical. Unfortunately, the anti-idling idjits are going overboard.

California, as is often the case, seems to be leading the lemming stampede. California Penal Code 597.7. (a) No person shall leave or confine an animal in any unattended motor vehicle under conditions that endanger the health or well-being of an animal due to heat, cold, lack of adequate ventilation, or lack of food or water, or other circumstances that could reasonably be expected to cause suffering, disability, or death
to the animal.

Yet, a driver in the same conditions will be expected to grin and bear it.

It should be noted that the battery based "APUs" are insufficient for Sunbelt summer duty. Try a 34hr restart when you've only got 10 hours in the batteries to run the A/C... yeah, right...

Get a hermit crab, they need to be kept at 70 degrees.

google idlefree it's a battery soultion to idling

idleair i am sorry if someone has said this before bu i think it is a great idea i know forsure TA's have them and iowa 80 truck stop i do not know if anyother truckstops have them. i am sure they do do you guys have any information on idleair?

A search on this site will come up with a lot of info on idleaire.
Also try \/\/ \/\/ \/\/ idleaire dot com

ok will do do you guys think a doller 95 an hour is too much?