BEST A.P.U.

We have TriPacs on our trucks and I think they are the best- quiet and reliable.




I'd rather idle than have a POS RigBLASTER!!!

 

heh, here's my feelings about RigBLASTERS!!

 

The APU Double Eagle sells is Gen-Pac w/ Kabota motor. They're quieter than Rig Master but falls short on two major points - Gen Pac doesn't have auto start up / auto shut down for ambient temperature setting (they're supposed to be working on it) and they only recently have the voltage regulated auto-start option for $825.

I owned Rig Master and now I own Gen-Pac. Except for the noise, vibration, constant recalls/warranty updates - I like the options of Rig Master (they were out of business but they're back). I like Gen Pac but not too thrill about having it run constantly nor having to deal w/ the motors' cooling fan manually. Both the roof mounted and the cabs' AC working together are great at keeping the 86" Studio in frigid temperature compared to other APU that I've looked at. Who knows how much they'll charge (once they get the ambient temp thingy developed) for options that are normally packaged w/ other APU units that are being offered at current time?

 

I've had the same ThermoKing on two trucks now. I have almost 11,000 hours on it and it still runs great. When my EGR cooler was going out on my engine, the low coolant kept shutting down the Tripac. Everyone not knowing the problem then gave me a new condensor fan and blower even though it didn't need it.
It's kept me warm in -20 and cool in 100 degrees. Actually my heat is seperate now from the first truck. I have a factory Peterbilt bunk heater. It puts out the heat.

Since it's the quietest around and I'm a ThermoKing kinda guy, I give it two thumbs up

 

In my opinion, the best apu, taking in consideration price etc, is the honda i1000 or equivalent and use plug in heaters/AC.

This can be chained to the catwalk or installed underneath the trailer. My idea is to put it in the area above the sleeper----there's usually a "cave/cubby hole" above the sleeper but under the aerodynamic fairing. Keeps it out of the rain and out of the view of "night people"/"street people."


This generator is very quiet. The only reason i haven't gotten one is i want to buy american (will explain later) but haven't found an equivalent one yet. If i cannot find one, or piece one together, i will probably get the honda. i think this generator is still manufactured in japan despite the fact that honda has many plants here in the u.s.


In addition, i feel that the webasco heater is a great thing. However, if you are a company driver, it may be difficult to install one temporarily.

 

I purchased a Diamond Power unit and am not happy with it at all. Please do your homework. Look for multiple places to get it serviced. Diamond Power is not good.

 

Pony Pack Auxiliary Power Unit

We chose the Pony Pack because its simple, it's lightweight and it uses the coolant from the truck engine to cool the 2 cylinder Kubota Diesel Engine. The Pony Pack uses the factory heating and air conditioning ducts so there is no additional items under the bunk, on top of the bunk, or on the headache rack. This system has provided reliable service to the trucking industry for over a decade. The beauty of its design and reliability is its simplicity. This is not a diesel electric generator out of a construction yard strapped to your frame like some other systems. This system was designed from the ground up to give the owner operator all the benefits of having an APU with maximum fuel efficiency and minimal expense. The Pony Pack is easily serviced and uses easy to find domestic automotive parts giving this APU the lowest overall operating cost. The Pony Pack has a 36,000 BTU air conditioner that works with your trucks climate control system. The heating system uses exhaust fired heating to maximize efficiency and provide plenty of heat. This A.P.U. keeps your engine block warm and ready to start in cold weather conditions. This is the lightest and smallest APU on the market. The Pony Pack will run 8 hours on 1 gallon of fuel...

..any of you out there heard of this APU brand, & how reliable/noise level is the 2-cyl Kubota diesel; they don't mention hrs between oil changes either.. the list price from Pittsburgh Power is $7800.

 

Is anyone familiar with the APU that Centramatic sells? It looks similar to the black rock.

 

I have a few questions for the guys that mount a generator to their frame or catwalk.

What do you use to secure it to the truck and make sure it doesn't disappear?

Are they safe sitting in rain/snow or do you protect them somehow?

How do you get the power to the inside of the truck? Run an extension cord through a hole or what?

Is the exhaust an issue?

I read a post from one guy said he put it in the side box. I wonder what he did about the exhaust.

 

If you have not already bought an apu dont buy the pony pack they are very loud, unreliable and they do not have anyplace to have them installed or worked on they never have parts and alot of the parts you can only get from them and the service after the sale is not good at all.