What the best APU

Idling period kills an engine. Worst thing you can do. Especially low idle. The oil isn't circulating as good, the pressure is lower.. Turbo is surely starving for oil at low idle.. On the rare occasions I do idle longer than sitting at a redlight I always bump it up to 1100 rpms.. But anyhow, the value is not just in the fuel savings of a generator it's also in the extended life you get out of the engine before overhauling.

 

I have Comfort Master new name is MANTIS.It is real good APU 3 cyl. cold and hot no problems.One of the best features check it out before any of you make desicion.

 

Generally I would agree with your statements. But am not sure they are totally accurate. I have seen several studies done that conclude that engine wear is a direct correlation to fuel use. While wear is indeed occurring at idle, I am not totally convinced that it is as bad as some would claim since there is no work being done. Also, the turbo is not necessarily "starved" for oil, as it also is not under any stress and not being used. EGT's are in the basement. The engine, at idle or even high idle, is operating similar to a naturally aspirated engine.

My last engine, Cummins N-14, never had the benefit of an APU, and it definitely idled somewhat when the temps got real cold or hot. Did not idle more than needed, but did use it when I had to. That engine went to 1.4 million miles without ever being opened up, and never had any repair except a fuel injector. Still got 7 mpg and used only a gallon of oil every 8-10000 miles. Not bad.

 

HERE 5000$ apu ,www.comfortmaster.com

 

I;ve got 650k on ISX and only time i've run high idle was when temp was on the wrong side of 0. My old N-14 lasted 970k miles before I've traded it and didnt show any signs of wear. Used 1 g of oil between oil changes. I quess Im lucky, but I dont think so. And yes it uses apr. .5 g per hour, so APU savings wouldnt be more than .2-.3 g an hour. And since I dont idle every night I dont think actual saving would be that great.

 

I am torn between a Tripac and the Promax. My father drives for Walmart and has had a Tri-Pac in all his rigs since 2004 and he says they are ok when they work properly or don't burn down the truck LOL..... Promax is a local company near me and they said they would install the unit, add the winter package and inverted for $7800 out the door. Now I just need to find financing.

 

Shc, where would you get parts for a Promax on the road???

Every time the crankshaft goes around on a big engine, thats one less time it will ever go around again. If I had to do it over again, I would buy an APU based on that fact alone.

 

i went to the wrecking yard today to get a transmission and while i was there they towed in a truck to be parted out. i seen it had a thermoking apu on it so after they unhooked from it i went and checked it out the hour meter said 486 hrs on it . i hit the on button on it and it fired off the thing looked almost new it had the inverter ,cold weather package,fuel fired heater ,indash swich for normal and standby modes.After a couple of minutes the ac had got pretty cool.About that time the wrecking yard guy came out and i ask him what he wanted for it he said $2000 dollars.So i came home with a rebuilt 18 speed and a tri-pac apu.

 

For me the best APU is my HUSKY GENERATOR 1850W $450, with it i am getting 6-7 hours with AC turned on (1.3Gal). The only downside is that its not diesel so you need to fill up with regular gas. But on every truckstop there is gas, so no worry there. Also this generator is great for any power tools

 

I put a Dynasys apu on recently. Just wondering if anybody else is running one. I like it so far. Works real good. Also got a 1700.00 grant because I have the shorepower option installed too. Might be worth looking at if anybody is wanting one.