APU options that won't break the bank

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by txviking, Jan 20, 2012.

  1. Cowpie1

    Cowpie1 Road Train Member

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    But that is where a portable generator would be a nice fit. It can be your shore power source to keep batteries up. I have a Xantrex inverter/charger that when hooked up to shore power, keeps the batteries charged up ready to go, while at the same time passes thru the electric to my outlets. When not on shore power, it is a typical inverter. I hook it up at home and leave the fridge in the truck running, and even the Espar heater running all weekend in the cab. If on the road, a small generator like a Honda, Yamaha, etc would not break the bank and will provide more than enough power to keep everything charged up. And you wouldn't have to run it all the time to do so. And those companies make CARB compliant generators that will keep the green nazis off your case. And you can also get custom enclosures for these generators that will mount on frame rail or cat walk and protect it. All for a lot less initial cost and less maintenance cost and less weight than a full blown APU.

    There are different ways to skin a cat.
     
    fireba11 Thanks this.
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  3. fireba11

    fireba11 Heavy Load Member

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    How does the Espar A/C work in real hot weather? I worked for a company that had a APU on the truck we were running and it didn't work good when below 30 degrees or above 90 degrees.
     
  4. Markvfl

    Markvfl Road Train Member

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    If you decide to run a rooftop A/C unit be sure to buy the one that's made for the job. A cheaper model is not made to endure the shock and vibration present in class 8 truck use. I learned the hard way and ended up with a Coleman Roughneck that's made to take the rigors of the use. I've also heard that Dometic units have a no questions asked guarantee for replacement and are reasonably priced. I had the heat strips in mine and they really put out. Do not try to run a 13,500 BTU unit on anything less than 3000 watts.

    When I used a space heater there were cold spots that were eliminated by using a small 12 volt fan to circulate the air. Without the fan the air coming up from the basement or leaking in through the sleeper door was COLD.
     
  5. Moving on Down the Road

    Moving on Down the Road Light Load Member

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    Does anybody know if IdleAire got a bailout? (Just kidding - kind of). Just can't figure out why they are popping up everywhere again. Seems like one of those deals it would be wise to invest somebody else's money in.
     
  6. companyman

    companyman Heavy Load Member

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    apparently someone bought out the existing infrastructure. I have been seeing them opening back up too. Wish they would have just tore all the junk out of the truck stops when they had the chance
     
  7. fgb3

    fgb3 Light Load Member

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    i sure would like to know where in ny did someone get a ticket? ive always heard rumors but have driven in ny for 15 years and never had a problem with idleing or running my apu in new truck.I persoally have always thought there was something else involved with these stories but latley who know.maybe im just lucky....
     
  8. fgb3

    fgb3 Light Load Member

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    as for the new apu on my 2012 it works great.i have slept in 9 degrees and kept me warm all night also in the summer the air was cool to.mine has a charger so if the batteries on truck go below a certain voltage it will recharge them so when its real hot out i put the key backwards so the fan works then use my ac and have not had anyproblems so far. it is still new though ......we will see how long it lasts.as for saving money if your out four nights a week and have it idling for 10 hours thats around 10 gallons and an apu is around 1 gallon so thats about 36 gallons a week. Now even if you dont run it at all during the time that its nice out lets just say 4 months out of the year so your running it for 8 months for air or heat.jan,feb,mar,and some april july,aug september,nov and dec so t the min 32 weeks at 36 gallons 1152 gallons per yer,5 years 5760 gallons even if you get fuel at 3.50 per gallons thats around $20,000 thats just an estamate but if your apu is 12,000 you still have alot of leadway
     
  9. rogueunh

    rogueunh Road Train Member

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    In Maine last week, I stopped in West Gardiner and they had something called Airedock. Same idea, it was $2.00/Hr.

    Not a single truck was hooked up to one, lol.
     
  10. STexan

    STexan Road Train Member

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    If I was an O/O and had a relatively new truck and spent a lot of time in the southern tier states, I would not hesitate spending the most I could afford on a quality unit. It will be retuned back probably near 100% at trade-in. If you run mostly northern tier, perhaps only a wabasco (spelling???) under-bunk heater is all that's needed. But if you run a lot of appliances a lot and often sit a lot, I don't see you have any option but to make the purchase. Call it an investment, call it a necessity, whatever.
     
  11. companyman

    companyman Heavy Load Member

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    I never did like the service. I used it briefly when I was running in TX and my ac went out in the summer. it was expensive, many of the units didn't work and they stunk of cigarette smoke
     
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