Generator for the tractor

Lmao....that's awesome.. Start packing sweaters now

 

Wow generater ran 14 hrs last night on a tank of fuel and still wasn't empty .
Already have an espar heater so other than having to go for a walk and fill a gas can daily I don't see the point in buying a 11k tri pak .

 

Welcome to the "darkside"

 

My new to me truck has a tripak APU but I am thinking the window A/C and small generator would be great for long 10+ hour breaks to give the APU longer life. APU would be used for short times like being live (un)loaded 2-4 hours.

 

That's great. Money in the bank now right.

 

I've been saying this for a long time now. The money saved from not idling pays for the cost very quickly,.. and turns into NET cash saved each year. Roughly $10k saved annually by not idling. Thats pretty substantial.

And as you stated,.. the total out of pocket expense is minimal compared a diesel APU,.. not to mention much much quieter than a diesel APU.

The only negative is walking over and filling the cans. I carry 2 cans in my bin. I have to fill them every 2 - 3 days. For $10k a year,.. I'll keep doing this.

Hurst

 

You do realize the APU doesn't have to run constantly?

 

yes but where I have been running the temps have been 110+ degrees the last few days. When I shut down the truck, the APU automatically is set up to start up and take over cooling duties.

 

that is some good FUZZY math you have....
AVG. driver is on the road 300 days a year
if you AVG. a 12 hr break per day that's 3,600 hr of idle time per year
most trucks use .5-.7 gl. per hr. to idle... mine is .5-.6 depending on AC load.
at .7 gl. per hr. 3,600 hr's would use 2,520 gl's per year idling
2,520 gl's at $2.50 a gl. is $6,300
when you take out the fuel (gas) you are using it's more like $4,500-$5,300 savings a year. NOT $10,000

 

Gee only 5k a year
Hardly worth it