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How to install an APU Idiot Light

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by Cruisser, Jan 30, 2015.

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  1. Jan 30, 2015 #1
    Cruisser

    Cruisser Bobtail Member

    19
    6
    Dec 12, 2011
    Aberdeen, SD
    0
    I have a Utility APU and it seems to work just fine, so good in fact there has been a couple of times where I have taken off driving with it running. :biggrin_2551:

    Does anyone know of a way to hook up an idiot light I could put in my dash to tell me if it is running?
     
    Cruisser, Jan 30, 2015
    Cruisser, Jan 30, 2015
    #1
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  3. Jan 30, 2015 #2
    mp4694330

    mp4694330 Road Train Member

    1,526
    1,453
    Aug 30, 2010
    Chicagoland
    0
    Sorry off topic, who makes this APU?
     
    mp4694330, Jan 30, 2015
    mp4694330, Jan 30, 2015
    #2
  4. Jan 30, 2015 #3
    cnsper

    cnsper Road Train Member

    5,869
    27,420
    Feb 28, 2014
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    So you don't do a pre-trip? Just crawl into the driver's seat and leave? That is the only reason to drive off when it is running because you have the truck off when you check your oil etc. you will hear it operating.
     
    cnsper, Jan 30, 2015
    cnsper, Jan 30, 2015
    #3
    magoo68 Thanks this.
  5. Jan 30, 2015 #4
    mtoo

    mtoo Road Train Member

    1,909
    4,309
    Jan 15, 2011
    Retired on bended knee
    0
    Don't know about the idiot light, but I'm going to put another toggle switch on my Tri Pac. It has the stand-by switch but I am going to tap into the 2A wire, install toggle. Then, with a flip of the switch I can force it to run when the truck is running.

    That way I can run the espar if needed or force it to run if alternator fails.
     
    mtoo, Jan 30, 2015
    mtoo, Jan 30, 2015
    #4
    Lucar Thanks this.
  7. Jan 30, 2015 #5
    Chris50

    Chris50 Medium Load Member

    346
    214
    Jun 21, 2010
    Florida
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    Running your tripac when your main alternator goes out will kill your apu alternator, as told to me by tripac tech. You can go into the software via the control panel and turn off/on the setting for EPS (external power source) and the APU will run when main engine is on. Google the tripac manual(its a pdf file) and the instructions to get into the software is there.
     
    Chris50, Jan 30, 2015
    Chris50, Jan 30, 2015
    #5
    Cruisser and mtoo Thank this.
  8. Jan 30, 2015 #6
    HaulinCars

    HaulinCars Medium Load Member

    355
    479
    Jan 25, 2014
    Central Florida
    0
    You did not give many (any) details about your particular APU setup so this might or might not work.....

    If you install a 110vac outlet on/under the dash that is connected to the APU (wire into the back of one of your current outlets) you could plug in a night light and have an extra outlet in the cab for.. whatever you might want to use it for. This would work fine unless you have an inverter and you leave the inverter on while you drive.

    Instead of installing an outlet and nightlight you could get a 110vac indicator light, mount it on/in the dash and wire it into the back of, (or simply plug it into) one of your current outlets. 110vac indicator lights appropriate for panel mounting are available for under $10 from Grainger and McMaster Carr.
     
    HaulinCars, Jan 30, 2015
    HaulinCars, Jan 30, 2015
    #6
    Cruisser Thanks this.
  9. Jan 30, 2015 #7
    Lucar

    Lucar Road Train Member

    1,396
    889
    Aug 22, 2012
    Texas
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    I just got mine installed, and I'd like to do this also
     
    Lucar, Jan 30, 2015
    Lucar, Jan 30, 2015
    #7
  10. Jan 30, 2015 #8
    Trckdrvr

    Trckdrvr Heavy Load Member

    742
    621
    Dec 25, 2010
    Georgia
    0
    I sometimes forget and leave the heat on in the sleeper and have the AC running in the front cab wide open to compensate..
    Then I get worried that when the high pressure system from the warm air meets the cold air I could have a thunderstorm or even a tornado in my truck!!
     
    Trckdrvr, Jan 30, 2015
    Trckdrvr, Jan 30, 2015
    #8
    Lucar, cnsper, BeN DaViS and 2 others Thank this.
  11. Jan 31, 2015 #9
    Cruisser

    Cruisser Bobtail Member

    19
    6
    Dec 12, 2011
    Aberdeen, SD
    0
    Fantastic idea....problem solved!! I run a reefer and it usually makes enough noise so I don't notice the APU running even when I walk right by it. It is an older Carrier brand unit and I can't get over how smooth and quiet the engine runs....very little vibration. Thanks again....on my way to look at night lights.....!
     
    Cruisser, Jan 31, 2015
    Cruisser, Jan 31, 2015
    #9
  12. Jan 31, 2015 #10
    Cruisser

    Cruisser Bobtail Member

    19
    6
    Dec 12, 2011
    Aberdeen, SD
    0
    I have a Carrier unit, should have said that up front. I will check into the software setting. It would be nice to have it automatically shut off if the engine is running. Good to know about the alternator thing. I thought it would run the truck no problem, but I suppose not enough amperage on the little APU alternator. I have in a pinch used my reefer alternator and a set of jumper cables to get myself off the road and that worked fine, but a little tricky to set it up so it doesn't pull off when you turn corners. Thanks for the advice.
     
    Cruisser, Jan 31, 2015
    Cruisser, Jan 31, 2015
    #10
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