Idle Free Reefer Link APU

I am also curious to hear input about this. I don't even need an apu, but would like to see one of these things, or hear from someone that has one.

It does sound like a good idea in theory, but have a feeling there are drawbacks.

 

They are the same as other battery operated systems except the charging comes from the reefer when the truck is off. Don't know if the system replaces the reefer alternator,if not it isn't enough output to do much. There is not enough amps to even run the truck with all the lights on. The local carrier dealer had brackets to install a 225 amp on the units but they don't work on the new design units.

 

My webasto bunk heaters only need a little bit of power, so something like this would be very nice to just keep the batts topped off while the driver sleeps. Idle-free sleep (even with noisy reefer) is great.

 

I used to hook the reefer bat to my volvo bat with jumper cables and the icon idle never kicked on (except once when it was 5 degrees F) worked fine and super cheap. I moved to a new Cascadia so I have not tried it. Im thinking of getting some bats and hooking them up to an inverter as the cascadia bats cant handle an inverter and then using the reefer to charge them.

 

Not a bad idea... I might consider doing this to one of my older reefers as a prototype. Hardwire it with a fused circuit and a quick disconnect mounted next to the airlines just like the pigtail. I wonder how long it'll take to smoke the alternator on the reefer though. They don't put out much juice. I heard the older TK's can be refitted with a high-output alternator as a matter of an aftermarket bracket and adapter.

That additional quick connect could be just another pigtail, and multiplex the pins for additional load, or for accessories like a cam, or an additional buss for more chicken lights.

 

You can get higher output alternators for the new units also. All of my trucks are wired to the unit through one optional switch.One small plug on the unit is all you need. Started it a long time ago for alternator problems on the truck or unit,now it keeps the battery apu system charged when the truck is off.

 

Just got some jumper cables for my reefer/tractor connection. Woohoo! Seems to be working just great so far... I'll post again after some time has passed.

 

If I'm not mistaken, truck and trailer share a common ground through the 5th wheel. So, you should only need a hot side lead between the reefer and truck batts.

I was think about using one of them pigtails setup for liftgates. You can find the pigtail and connectors on eBay pretty cheaply. And I thought about running it on the passenger side, so as not to get tangled with the airlines and other pigtail.