New Carrier APU not keeping truck cool.

Don't get rid of it! Keep rebuilding it...

The new ones suck. I think they started cutting corners to make more money and sacrificed performance in the process.

 

I have installed slightly bigger a/c compressor. TM16 instead of TM15. I have little more cooling now . If I will sell my track I will not sell this tripac.

 

That's a cool mod , pun intended lol

 

12,000 BTU is not enough to cool a tin can over blacktop. The average RV roof air is 13,500 and they don't do any better parked in grass. It is a shame these are not better. The new refrigerants don't help either. They require too high pressures to work. I designed one years ago with the intent of disrupting the status quo HVAC for the Trucking and RV market, but couldn't find backers. My design took it a step further and also worked when plugged into shore power, and also provided a moderate amount of hot water. Of course, my designs started at 20K BTU and went up from there. Large RV's really need more like 4 tons, or 48,000 BTU...

A lot of the issues are also with install, as previously mentioned above. Ducting plays a key role, and installers and outfitters just don't understand the dynamics of airflow when it comes to HVAC. Air does not like to turn corners, for example. Check for kinks or sharp bends in the duct hoses to start.

You would be better served getting a separate generator capable of 240VAC and a mini split air conditioner. They are up to 22 Seer and a good 18K unit would freeze you out on a 110 degree Phoenix summer day.

I also find it odd that truck stops don't have shore line connections. Even the paid spots. I guess since the trucks don't have a 30A cord, so the truck stops don't provide them either. Perhaps the sleeper makers and the truck stops should have a chat...

 

Totally agree, this has been my gripe for 20 years. The truck APU market only offers crap systems in my opinion when compared to the Onan quiet diesel generators.

The AC systems should be 20k BTU for the big sleeper trucks... I've thought about going the mini split route and using the carrier generator only option. Dometic also offers small mini split units like the carrier 12k but in higher BTU output.

The Carrier APU is a 6k watt generator so it can handle a much bigger BTU AC system than the underrated 12k

I will note that Carrier is the only APU that offers shore power AC and Heat options in addition to 120v pass thru because the system is electric based.

The Carrier APU gen2 system is still way way too loud though and uses the cheap 2cyl motors instead of the small Kubota 3cyl that is silky smooth.(and much quieter)

 

i have a carrier apu the 2 cyl. Kubota runs just fine.. my complaint has been the noise.. recently I service the unit myself and decided to take the extra 15 minutes to check the valve lash adjustment. The intake were both perfect and the exhaust were both out a fair bit and both at the same clearance. After being set to the proper adjustment that little 2 cyl Kubota purred just like the 3 cly in my previous applied system.. I am guessing the valve lash wasn't set properly from the factory..

 

I have a tripac and an Ultraloft bunk
90% of the time it will keep cool but on really hot days it struggles

What I do is put a small fan on the floor and push the cold air up
Heat rises and cold air drops
The floor will be freezing as that’s where the vent is

I’m thinking if I decide to keep this truck that I would reroute the ac to the ceiling
Or top of the rear wall
That should push the cold down causing the warmer air to be sucked back into the units return
Like a homes hvac system does

 

I've never seen or heard any 2cyl diesel, including the Kubota to be anything like the Ultra Quiet Onan Quietdiesel 3cyl setup..
Have you heard one yet?
They're not even remotely close.. at all... It's mind blowing the difference vs truck apu systems

 

Great idea !!

 

I can't say that I have herd the Onan generator that I know of.. But from a little research I can tell you the Onan QD 6000 runs the Kubota 722 three cyl. engine which is the same engine that was in my previous APU before the carrier.. That APU was quieter then the carrier but had a lot more insulation in the enclosure as well as a much larger muffler then the carrier has. I can tell you from first hand experience with out a properly sized muffler that 3 cyl. Kubota is LOUD!! lol.. Also as I mentioned the carrier is running a lot quieter now that the valve lash is adjusted proper. I am guessing that the Onan diesel generators are so quiet because of the enclosure insulation and muffler system and not because of the 3 cyl which would help it run smoother but not any quieter.

Now the Onan 6000w weighs 425lbs for the generator alone, the entire comfort pro system weighs that. The Onan is about a foot longer then the carrier and wouldn't fit on my truck.. Any idea on what the price for the Onan would be? You might be surprised on the mind blowing difference there too lol.