How cold to leave running ?

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Cat sdp, Dec 28, 2017.

  1. Cat sdp

    Cat sdp . .

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    With the polar vortex upon us how cold does it have to get for you not to shut off your truck for anything........?


    My personal line is -15F . At that temp she runs period. All night/day whatever...

    Added fuel treatment (double dose) and hit the air system twice with alcohol ...
     
    Oxbow Thanks this.
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  3. mitmaks

    mitmaks Road Train Member

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    How do you add alcohol to air system on the truck?
     
  4. bzinger

    bzinger Road Train Member

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    I set my barrier at about minus 10 depending on the wind .
     
  5. Cat sdp

    Cat sdp . .

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    Couple of ways....

    Pull main supply line off compressor and dump it in there . It’s not great for your air drier cartridge but it beats a frozen line...

    Also I dump some in the tank directly. ...

    And finally fill the glad hand lines for the trailer....
     
    Tall Mike, hunts2much, Grubby and 3 others Thank this.
  6. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    Why do you guys use the weather channel term - polar vortex?

    It is an arctic blast. :)

    The wind doesn't really matter, the temps on the truck won't drop beyond -10 if the air temps are -10.

    By the way, I ask to keep the trucks running when it hits 10 degrees, hi-idle and not put on defrosters, just plain heat with no air on.
     
    Grubby, Lepton1, Feedman and 2 others Thank this.
  7. bzinger

    bzinger Road Train Member

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    That wind part depends on how well the apu is going to keep up .
    My engine with be warm regardless ...but I'm not gonna be cold lol
     
  8. Oldironfan

    Oldironfan Road Train Member

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    I'd say depends if you have treated fuel. I caught hell the other day when my reefer gelled the fuel. Forgot last time I filled it was with Georgia fuel. Even though it was running nonstop it froze up at -1 in Wisconsin. That was a $283 bill at transport refrigeration.
     
    Hammer166, Grubby, Feedman and 2 others Thank this.
  9. Cat sdp

    Cat sdp . .

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    I’m guessing reefers don’t return any fuel to the tank......?
     
  10. Oldironfan

    Oldironfan Road Train Member

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    Not much at all. 1/4 in line I think.
     
    Cat sdp Thanks this.
  11. bzinger

    bzinger Road Train Member

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    They return a little but not much ...anything below 10 mine goes to continuous and always on continuous overnight when cold .
    Never had a problem but most of my fuel is bought in northern states .
     
    TallJoe, Grubby, Broke Down 69 and 2 others Thank this.
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