Apu not warming coolant for the truck.

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by pavrom, Jan 28, 2026.

  1. pavrom

    pavrom Road Train Member

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    I had thermoking apu installed on my truck sometimes in November with the main purpose of prewarming my coolant for easier starts . I remember testing it after installation and believe saw a coolant temperature gauge showing 120 at the time of truck start . recently I noticed that apu is working but probably only charging my batteries , coolant temp gauge sits right where it is with cold engine without apu ...bit below 100 , checked coolant hoses from apu ( one warm as it should be ) ...any ideas or suggestions, I didn't touch my engine block before starting , but looking at temp gauge I think it is outside temp . I did start my truck at -15f last Friday from 2nd attempt with ton of white smoke as usual winter start in this weather
     
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  3. Arctic_fox

    Arctic_fox Experienced mx13 execrator

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    Apu wont provide enough heat on its own to warm the coolant when it is that cold. Not unless you have a preheater or something on it. Bit like trying to warm your entire house with a small space heater. Not going to happen. At best it will likely boost the temps a bit from -15 to say 20 or 30.
     
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  4. 062

    062 Road Train Member

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    You probably have 10-13+ gallons of coolant to heat. It would probably take several hours run time to bring the coolant temp up for the motor.
     
  5. Arctic_fox

    Arctic_fox Experienced mx13 execrator

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    Assumeing it can even make enough heat in the first place. With it being that cold, even the ambient temps with the coolant pushed through the radators (1 truck 1 apu) from the pump is going to strip most/all of the heat out. I have a 5kw coolant heater and it will barely get my coolant to 80 degrees when its -15 out. And thats a dedicated heater.

    Little apu trying to transfer heat?. Not a chance in bloody hell you get above sub freezeing temps.
     
  6. pavrom

    pavrom Road Train Member

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    will probably install oil heater or block heater .. whatever it is cold
     
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  7. pavrom

    pavrom Road Train Member

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    ...ran 12 hours during that extreme weather ...I guess it is all about weather
     
  8. Bean Jr.

    Bean Jr. Road Train Member

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    That would be enough for me. Oil no longer molasses, and coolant in the high teens at least? My truck is starting!
     
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  9. snowwy

    snowwy Road Train Member

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    Heating things from dead cold isn't going to happen. Keeping things warmed up a little after running has a better chance.

    Your truck already has a block heater. Or it should. And hopefully it works. You'll just have to figure out the electricity part. Like a generator with 3 prong plugs and a extension cord.
     
  10. pavrom

    pavrom Road Train Member

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    ...can block heater feed from inverter? , not sure how much it will drain , but having apu as charging for batteries should offset it
     
  11. xsetra

    xsetra Road Train Member

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    How many watts is your block heater? How many watts does your inverter put out? What is the output of your APU?

    IF the alternator has a 120 amp output, a conversion charts says that is 14,400 watts.

    Make sure the inverter is rated enough watts to operate the block heater. Internet search shows Block heater varies from 750-2000 watts.
     
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