Willis APU

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by The_Judge, Apr 1, 2010.

  1. The_Judge

    The_Judge Light Load Member

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    May 25, 2008
    Montreal, Quebec
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    It would be a good ideea to have a chapter on this great forum for APU's generators, cab&engine heaters etc. Coz there is no a luxury no more today but a necessity. And having all brands and make in one place we could share experiences with and let others know things before they buy or when breaking down and such.

    My question it is about the APU called Willis. Coz of my 77'' sleeper I need one powerfull and of course reliable. I do have a friend with the same sleeper size and the Proheat is way too small for what he needs. He cannot use the microwave without starting the main engine.
    So I've been told that Willis is very powerfull(3 cilinders engine) and realiable. But I would really apreciate any oppinion and experience of people that ever use a Willis APU. I'm searching those info coz the price of a new one is 11000$ and I better open my eyes before buying that to start complaining after is installed on my truck.
    I hope this thread will help me with my choice and others in future.

    For any information (except the ones that I can find on theire website) and any feedback will be kindly appreciated. Good or bad, just shoot it.

    Thank u very much !
     
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  3. Art387

    Art387 Light Load Member

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    Sep 16, 2008
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    Hey, you seem to have that "healthy" approach to trucking. Lets have some fun - I need an APU too, but thinking about doing this redneck way. I want to spend 10% of that 10 grands of yours. It would be interesting to share new developments, don't you think?

    Here is the idea - 200A alternator on my (own) reefer and gauge 1 wires (3-parts) with some nice way of connecting and disconnecting the middle part for driving time. Then 800W, 110V smallest A/C unit available. Do you pull reefer too?
     
  4. The_Judge

    The_Judge Light Load Member

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    May 25, 2008
    Montreal, Quebec
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    I apreciate your initiative sir, but I've seen guys with "handbuilt" APU's and was real pain of using it.
    More than that I'm not that creative and I'm afraid if I will start building one and after I will fail I will end up buying one ready made.
    I just want one installed on the truck frame and me just to do the oil change when the time comes.
    Thanx again sir for proposal but I'm not good at all at building things.
    I stopped at Willis brand after a lot of researches of APU's and for now(untill I will get some info from real people who use this one) I will stick with this one till I find if is worth it or not.

    And BTW I pull a flatbed.
     
  5. Hardlyevr

    Hardlyevr Road Train Member

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    Jul 30, 2009
    Mapleton Depot,PA
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    A lot of your choice will depend on exactly what you want to do for airconditioning. If you are willing to mount an RV type airconditioner on top of your sleeper, that gives you some different options, vs. having a compressor and condensor system with the APU. I have a ThermoKing TriPac, which as you have said, does NOT have sufficient generating power. But the one aspect of it that is good, is that with the Webasto or Airtronic bunk heater, the unit does NOT need to run all the time to provide heat, like the brands that rely on electrical heat.
    There seem to be lots of choices, but I haven't seen any setups that don't have a compromise somewhere.
     
  6. The_Judge

    The_Judge Light Load Member

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    May 25, 2008
    Montreal, Quebec
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    Thanx for the link "kc". I tried first to find such talkin but I couldnt. I have now a lot of reading to do.
    Thank u sir.
     
    kickin chicken Thanks this.
  7. kickin chicken

    kickin chicken Road Train Member

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    You are very welcome.

    I used our Search feature which is located at the top right hand side of the tool bar.

    That was just one thread that I found, you may find more in another search.

    btw, I am a ma'am:yes2557:

    Best of Luck!!!!
     
    The_Judge Thanks this.
  8. The_Judge

    The_Judge Light Load Member

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    May 25, 2008
    Montreal, Quebec
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    Deep respect ma'am and apologize for my rudeness. I just finished to read the topic u linked me to and I found very competent oppinions from a tech person who installed a lot of Willis APU's and who knows the "game with APU".
    Thank u kindly; merci beaucoup !
     
    kickin chicken Thanks this.
  9. kickin chicken

    kickin chicken Road Train Member

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    I am so glad that it was a help for you.

    No problem with the "sir" thing...I guess my chicken legs need shaving. LOL

    Best to You, Judge:)
     
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