The Greenhorn Landstar Chronicles

Consider getting a used Rigmaster or Tripac. I know you said earlier it didn't make that much sense, but the $$$ in savings will pay for the unit itself in a couple years.

KH

 

I have a Rigmaster and it's the best investment I ever made along with my Espar. Any APU will pay for itself. Mine is a 2006 model and I maintain it 100%. I've even replaced panels that started rusting. Mine still looks brand new.

 

Look into the place down in Springfield MO that has refurbished APUs. Prices are reasonable and they are fully rebuilt.

http://www.apucentersales.com/

 

Yeah, you have to find just the right setting otherwise if you turn it up all the way its gonna burn ya up!!!!! Someone clear up some confusion for me……. An apu allows you to have A/C and power, and charges the batteries right? What about heat(I have an espar)? Because, i see a lot of guys who have an apu may have an espar also…….

 

APU's normally have AC and heat and also charge the batteries. Most APU's will start up automatically when the batteries fall below a certain voltage. Some APU's have a generator and will put out 110volts. Most do not need that unless your running a house AC unit like me. APU AC units will just allow you to survive the night when it's hot out but can't keep up. I have a 15,000 btu house AC unit mounted on the back of my cab so I need an APU with a generator to run it.

It's really all about saving fuel. A truck takes up to 1 gallon per hour to idle if your running it up to 800 to 900 RMP's. An APU takes around .2 gallons per hour if your running it for heat. AC takes a LOT more. An Espar heater takes .02 gallons per hour. HUGE savings. An Espar is the most cost savings device you can put on a truck.

I have an APU that puts out heat but I run the Espar instead for the fuel savings.

You really need to watch out with the Espar. It takes a lot of power to run and will toast your batteries real quick. If it's a cold night out it won't last that long before it shuts down due to low battery voltage. I've seen way to many people go to sleep when it's 0 outside with their Espar on only to wake up 4 hours later freezing and the batteries do not have the power to start the truck.

Your batteries may be at 50% but unless their in good shape you won't have the reserve power to start the truck. Then it's hello service truck.

I have a Rigmaster that starts up automatically when my battery voltage falls below 12.2 volts. When I was in Denver and it was -8 the APU was starting up every hour and running for 20 minutes. Batteries do not like the cold.

So.....Watch out icsheeple. I'll be waiting to read a post from you about having to get your truck jump started. Keep an eye on your batteries. The Espar is great but can bite you.

 

Don't be fooled by the specs on the Espar. I have 4 brand new batteries and was in Denver the next week in -8 weather. My APU is set to start up for 1/2 an hour to charge my batteries when the voltage drops below 12.2 volts. I can set that threshold to anything I want. My APU was starting up every hour in Denver. I have a heavy hotel load in my truck. I have a real 110v 5cf fridge.

I'm usually up and running after 1am. When I was in Denver I didn't have a load so I was up. I took down the curtain and there was a lot of activity at 2am. One Loves shop truck and 2 independent ones. Loves doesn't allow other shop trucks but this was an exception.

You can only drain and charge your batteries so much before the plates become thin. You may see 12.5 volts but have no reserve power to crank the truck for more then 2 seconds in -5 temps. I would recommend the Honda generator. If your going to run your Espar all night I would run the Honda all night. You need a big battery tender or battery maintainer that boats use when under shore power. You can't use a battery charger. It will boil the acid and bad things can happen. The Honda can also use a 6 gallon boat external gas tank. It plugs right into the filler cap. The kit is really cheap. It's just the hose and connectors in the picture. You can buy any tank you want. I would recommend one with a handle and wheels.

I would also get the Honda remote start option. They have a few. One hard wired and one like a garage door opener. I like your idea of the alarm. In conjunction with the remote start that would be a good setup.




My Espar does not hook up to my coolant system and neither does my APU. If your batteries are up to par the engine will start in any temp.

I can't count the number of hours I've spent on this whole battery/APU/Espar technology. I've hooked up a meter to show the actual power draw when certain things are powered up. Mr. Coffee is a HUGE killer. When the hot plate and water heater come on it exceeds the limits of a 2,500 inverter and will set the alarm off. Microwave is also a killer. What people don't realize is that when a microwave says it's 1,500 watts that's the cooking power. It uses 2,500 to 3,000 watts to produce that cooking power. The more expensive and quality of the microwave the more efficient it is and uses less power. You really have to dig to find the real world specs on appliances.

The Inverter......There are 2 types. Modified Sine Wave and Pure Sine Wave. Modified is the cheap one that is sold in truck stops. They are fine but some things won't power up. A little trick is to dirty up the signal by turning on the microwave for a second. This tricks your laptop battery charger to kick on and then stay on. What happens is the microwave dirties up the square wave or ramped wave into a much better wave like one at sea. This works great on a real vacuum cleaner or drill.

Another topic. Inverter efficiency and parasitic drag. All inverters take power to convert the 12v to 110v and depending on the price of your inverter that efficiency percentage can vary widely. A True Sine Wave convert is expensive but much more efficient. Just because your not using anything that inverter is running non stop in most trucks. Why you ask? Go ahead, ask. Ok, since you asked here is a small sample of parasitic power drag.

Instant on TV
Microwave clock
Laptop charger
Fridge is 110v

Along with those are the following using your trucks power.

GPS. Even though it's off it's still maintaining GPS satellite location for faster startup
Clock in you bunk
Trucks computer
Truck alarm
Fridge if 12v

If you get in a jam and your batteries are dead you only need to jump start your APU so it can start charging the batteries. It can take 1/2 an hour to an hour depending on the outside temp before you have enough. Chances are the alternator in your APU will take a huge hit on it's alternator. Most are only 40 to 60 amp and not the 160 that's in your truck. If your running the Honda with a battery charger that will work too but you need to give it time.

And watch out for whatever your using to charge your batteries with a Honda generator. You may exceed the output of the charger running your Espar, TV and other stuff and your batteries will quietly die while your watching Green Acres and eating Cheesy Puffs.