Idling alternitives

As an Owner Operator, I am a little more quick to shut my truck off, however, I cannot and WILL not sleep in an uncomfortable environment so I will probably idle more than most. I would love to get a APU, but it is tough to swallow that $8,500+ price tag and losing my truck for 2-3 days for install. I am still trying to come up with an alternate APU project. I can tell you this, next truck....will have an APU.

 

What about systems like Opti-Idle? I know you're still idling, but at least not constantly.

 

Optimize Idle is AWFUL! The truck will turn on and off during the night waking you out of a sound sleep. I hated this function so much I asked the shop manager to turn it off. The shop manager checked with the ops manager and after explaining it to the ops manager he authorized the shop to deactivate the feature for any driver that asked. I told him it was a question of my rest and ability to do my job and if I couldnt sleep all night then I could no longer continue working there.

 

That's sounds like good and reasonable advice. Thanks.

 

I think optimize idle is one of the worst trucking industrie inventions of all time.

 

I originally posted this in another thread, but it has not gotten a lot of views, and it is part of this topic... responses will be appreciated!


We all drive trucks at 60-70 MPH for an average of say 9-10 hours a day (well I will be after I finish school... ).
So our vehicles are essentially moving wind tunnels... why have none of these wind powered energy companies come
up with a small turbine sytem that could be mounted say within the airfoil above the cab... say 3 - 12" diameter turbines
mounted in some sort of 48"x18" frame, that would be able to charge electrical storage batteries. These could be used
during off-hours in lieu of idling or an APU. I know there would be some issues with the additional weight of batteries,
but other than that, why would this not work?

 

I remember reading in land line I think, about a guy who charged the truck batteries by running a wire to the refer motor on the trailer.
I don't remember all the facts, and I did try looking it up when I read your last post, but couldn't find it.

Now the problem with apu batteries they weigh 400 pounds
but of course you know that already.

I like the idea, I have thought of solar panels but for the space they take they wouldn't be effective.

Im no expert but your idea sounds feasable, but you will use lots of fuel and be very loud.

 

Use lots of fuel because of the weight and reduced aerodynamics?

 

Yea
They rate every thing as far as that goes
Rounding anything on the truck will save fuel moving screws and rivets out of the wind will save small money but when all added up could save fuel
I used to keep and save the stats but that was my old computer
Lots of the old truckers didn't care but with diesel cost what they are every little bit counts

 

You could add a small squirrel cage fan to a small alternator & mount it in the wind up top.

It would slowly charge a set of batterys & wouldn't be all that noisy on the road.

The wind drag wouldn't be too bad.

Could even make a "scoop" & route the air down around the back of the cab like a funnel & it would accelerate the air into the fan.

It would serve two purposes then.
It would run the alternator & "break" the vacuum behind the cab.

Add a small regulator circuit to keep the charging current from loading down the alternator too badly for the wind to keep it turning.