cold idle temp

Discussion in 'Western Express' started by damutt, Nov 5, 2013.

  1. damutt

    damutt Road Train Member

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    does anyone know how cold it has to be for these to idle at night?
     
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  3. Down71

    Down71 Light Load Member

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    Aug 28, 2011
    Danville, IN
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    Depends on the state. Some don't care how cold it is.
     
  4. Richter

    Richter Road Train Member

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    Philadelphia Pa
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    Im guessing he is talking about the truck ecm not letting him idle. I dotn work for warner, but most are set around 45ish.
     
  5. bigdog4981

    bigdog4981 Light Load Member

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    Use a lighter under the temp probe and heat it up to 85, and keep distance, you will get the sensor way out range with too much heat. Lucky mine is on the lower mirror of a Pete 587, I can reach it from drivers seat.
     
  6. Skan

    Skan Light Load Member

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    May 12, 2013
    Cambridge, ON
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    The modern truck can easily sit well below freezing if the batteries and engine are in good shape. A well tuned and maintained engine will not only give you better mileage, it will start easier when the temperature starts to drop. Good batteries, well the more the better of course as these big diesels still take a lot of power to turn over.


    Couple of things to consider. Is there an APU on the truck? These will generally power the block heater and allow for zero idling while also keeping the batteries at peak. These will also provide heat if you're sleeping in the bunk (and a/c in the summer). If there is no APU then it gets a bit trickier. If you have somewhere to plug the block heater in, then you're off to the races again. The biggest threat to a cold start is the oil will thicken and batteries lose some of the cold cranking amps. If you're bunking with no block heater available, or no plug in, you can generally go 6 or 7 hours before the voltage becomes inadequate to start. This is NOT a hard fast rule. You will have to judge the performance of your truck on an individual basis. Also, if running a reefer trailer, you can maintain battery charge from that source as an emergency backup. Don't try and start the truck, but let it charge up the batteries.

    Couple of caveats here. Discharged batteries will freeze and crack, thus losing any usefulness. Make sure you are using seasonal diesel as well as summer fuel will gel in very cold temperatures. If the truck sits, it will turn into jello so you will be looking for a tow and a warm building to get things moving again (or spring anyways).

    As I said, there are no real, hard fixed numbers and do depend on the truck itself, and all the weather conditions at the time. If, for example, there is a heavy blanket of snow covering the truck, this will insulate the engine compartment to some degree and will assist the starting efforts, even when it gets really cold. If you have any doubts, then running it for 15 minutes every couple of hours should keep you going.
     
    Danny707 Thanks this.
  7. DrivingForceBehindYou

    DrivingForceBehindYou Medium Load Member

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    ChicagolandOfOpportunity
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    A brick on the gas pedal does the trick. Others apply trailer brakes only.
    Do us all a favor and dont idle in mild temperatures. Get a cab heater like Webasto. It pays for itself in a couple of months. A heated blanket maybe.
    Remember I was so tired and a guy idled next to me in PA. I called the cops , they inspected him and made every truck shut down. No need to pollute and wear the engine when its 55 outside.
     
    scottied67 and paul 1052 Thank this.
  8. damutt

    damutt Road Train Member

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    May 6, 2013
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    ok to answer a bunch of questions
    1. NO apu
    2. if it is nice i dont idle
    i was in ND it wa 20 outside, and ht bunk heater just wasnt cuttinting, truck kept shutting off after 4 min
     
  9. DrivingForceBehindYou

    DrivingForceBehindYou Medium Load Member

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    if the question is about how cold to get her started in the morning I would shoot for 15 degrees Fahrenheit. you need also to consider wind chill.
     
  10. 379exhd

    379exhd Road Train Member

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    Jun 25, 2012
    rolling through hell
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    Were you at a truck stop?
     
  11. Roadmedic

    Roadmedic Road Train Member

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    Most likely 4 minutes is all you will see then.
     
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