What the best APU

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by JPK, Mar 30, 2011.

  1. Old Tom

    Old Tom Light Load Member

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    I've had the Carrier on my truck for three years. Saved a bundle of $$$$ and it has paid for itself, no doubt about it. I've had to replace the starter solenoid ($200 part but under warranty), the starter and the alternator were around $1000 incl labor on my dime.

    Were I to do it again, I'd go Tri-Pac. For one, it is waaaay quieter than the Carrier, and since it only runs to charge the batteries there is less run time on the engine. yes, you'll have to invest in extra expensive batteries, but I believe the cost would be worth it.

    Anyone recommend a good muffler that will quiet the Carrier down?? Would the Tri-Pac muffler fit????
     
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  3. Nevs

    Nevs Light Load Member

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    Dec 25, 2010
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    I'd be curious about that as well, that's my biggest complaint with my ProHeat/Carrier. If I could quiet it down I'd be much happier.
     
  4. Hardlyevr

    Hardlyevr Road Train Member

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    Mapleton Depot,PA
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    I was parked beside a guy with a Rigmaster that had put on a motorcycle muffler on it!

    On the payback issue on thing I noticed with having a TriPac that now has about 8600 hours on it, and 400K on my truck, in scrollong thru the info Volvo has in the dash panel you can see the average mph for all of the run time (unless you have reset it) and by having an APU my speed per engine hour is about 10mph faster than my prior truck without an APU.

    As for which is best, I like the TriPac for the service network, and the fact that it cycles on and off only when needed, and uses the bunk heater instead of electric heat. But I think the standard alternator should be much larger, and really wish somebody would design a system with 3 or 4KW of AC generation AND an inverter system that would relay between the 2 sources of AC power as needed. The TriPac is NOT enough power to run a microwave, and if you could also plug in a block heater for a while on those super cold mornings it would be nice too.
     
  5. Old Tom

    Old Tom Light Load Member

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    SW Ontario
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    My mechanic mentioned that perhaps a muffler from a golf cart might do the job. Don't have the specs though, and haven't had time to research them. From what I understand, you can't just thow any old muffler on them, they have to match pressure specs etc.

    Since there are probably more guys than just you and I with carriers, I'll start a new thread and see if we can get a solid answer
     
    Nevs Thanks this.
  6. Cowpie1

    Cowpie1 Road Train Member

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    Kellogg, IA
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    Whether or not an APU is cost effective depends on a lot of factors. Where you run, how much time you are in extreme cold or extreme heat, etc.

    I have not been able to justify the time for ROI. I stay primarily in the upper Midwest year round. Only rarely is A/C a must to get some sleep. A DC powered Breezeway window fan and window screens works most of the time. In winter, I only partially idle to keep warm. I have a fairly well insulated mid roof tractor, and a fuel fired heater like a Webasto or Espar would serve my needs most times. Given that situation, the ROI on an APU when you factor cost for the unit, installation, servicing, and the amount it would get used, is a pretty long time. I go home each weekend, so doing 34 hr resets in a truck is a non issue.

    Would be nice to have an APU. No doubt. Just the number of days I would actually need one doesn't justify the cost, extra maintenance cost, or added weight.

    Before someone drops the money for an APU, it is wise to really crunch the numbers to see if it is worth it. Quite a few people actually can justify it quickly. Many others, it seems, are getting one just because it is the "in" thing to have hanging on the frame rail.
     
  7. Old Tom

    Old Tom Light Load Member

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    Sep 22, 2010
    SW Ontario
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    You're quite right, you need to crunch the numbers and it will depend on how and where you run.

    I'm out of SW Ontario, so deal with cold temps in winter, and run the South and Southwest with summer temps reaching the 100*+. For me it was a no brainer, no way I was idling my truck every night for A/C cooling nor was giving Idleaire $2.00 an hour every night, if they were available.

    If you don't need A/C then the Espar/Webasto cab and/or engine heater is a much more cost effective way to go.
     
  8. jmkovey

    jmkovey Bobtail Member

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    Apr 6, 2011
    Indianapolis, IN
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    I'd definitely make sure you actually need one first. Most APUs run anywhere from $8,000-$13,000 now and offer so many different features it can be a bit overwhelming. You can figure that most APUs burn about .2-.25 gallons of fuel an hour while running, so you'll have to do the math for how much time you usually idle at night to find a good cost savings for you.

    I always recommend that if a cab is bigger than 72" you go with a 3-cylinder APU. There's a few of those around - Powercube, Willis, Mantis and Promax are the ones I know of. If you have smaller than a 72" cab, then a 2-cylinder should do what you need it to. The more popular ones are HP2000, TriPac, Carrier, Dynasys, and Rigmaster.

    A 3-cylinder will run quieter, since it can run at a lower RPM, but they usually cost more and take up more frame rail space (usually around 30" of frame space needed).

    Whichever one you pick, do your research on how many drivers have had issues! There's a lot of APUs out there that are in the shop 3 or more times a year and that kills the whole cost-savings part!
     
  9. BigBadBill

    BigBadBill Bullishly Optimistic

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    Chattanooga, TN
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    Lovw my Carrier. What I learned after I purchased it is the service on it is $100-$150 per PM cheaper.
     
  10. nutcase

    nutcase Light Load Member

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    Meridian, ID
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    I have a Carrier that was on the truck when I bought it. It is loud but you get used to it. Don't know that the guy parked next to is too happy though.

    It seems that mine uses about one gallon per hour for heating. I haven't used it for cooling yet.

    Regarding maintenance: How much should it cost for an oil change/PM. I called to ask the carrier dealer at home and they said $200-230.:biggrin_25524:

    Seemed like a lot to me.
     
  11. BigBadBill

    BigBadBill Bullishly Optimistic

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    Oct 2, 2010
    Chattanooga, TN
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    Last time paid $ 39 petro.

    Mine is not that loud. Maybe they made a change as mine is new in December.
     
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