APU Info

I loved my Willis for the first year, now it's a POS! The Willis plumbs into the existing heat and A/C in the truck, so when the A/C fails you have nothing. I like the fact that it has an air compressor, but now the plugs keep blowing out of the bottom of the air compressor and the engine oil pumps out on the ground.
When it works the A/C supplies enough to keep the black Western Star cool in the sun at 100 plus degrees without running the cab or bunk blower on high. There's no way I would buy a Willis unless they built a system that stands alone without useing the truck systems.
I would like to try a Blackrock from Caterpillar, a stand alone system that uses a Yanmar diesel that has a 1000 hour service interval as opposed to the Willis' 500 hour. The Blackrock has more BTU cooling than the Willis. I wouldn't wish a Willis on anyone.

 

I'm thinking about a Frigette... replaces the passenger side step box on a Pete. There's a Canadian company that makes one like that as well, just can't remember the name.

 

Build your own. Very cheap and very easy.
1---4 group 31 AGM batteries (insulate the storage box with duct board)
2--- heat/ac unit from DTAC 12 or 24 v available
3---high output alternator or you can build a squirrel cage generator with scoop that will charge the batteries while you drive.
4--- sine wave inverter for your extras (ie) fridge,micro-wave, tv etc.....


If you find you need more add 2 more batteries. or a very small and quiet gas generator. Honda, yamaha, etc could be stored and plumbed out of the dogbox. Install a 12v exhaust fan to keep it running cool.

simple and inexpensive compared to any store bought APU.

If your set on buying one then go propane for about half the cost of a deisel unit. lifeforceapu
Oh and FYI both of the above would temprarily pacify the the lefty-loonies. You know they will find something wrong with it sooner or later.

 

What are you... Batman?

You people who know how to do stuff make me ill!!!

 

If I was going to use a small generator,...I would skip the extra batts,...

 

I bet yous can find a cure!!!,.....lol..

 

Personally I think that the Tripac is the best setup so far. Its not loud, hardley any fumes, and the Espar heater has been proven succesful even before it became part of the apu package. I had a Espar heater in my old Freightliner Classic and it kept the inside temp at about 65-70 all night long when it was about 20 outside. Very impressive in my mind. Also like was stated earlier, they got dealers everywhere.

 

HAHAHAHA Thank You...........I think...


Brickman the batteries weight 65-80lbs each.. Thats around 240lbs for 4, add 40lbs for the DTAC unit and its far less than Most APU's.
Also even with the small generator your looking at 0 diesel fuel usage and minimal gas usage... 1000watts 8.3 hours on 0.6 gal of gas.
Obviously you could use less batteries. It all depends on the usage. I designed it for max usage. Like listed below.

Walleye--- The small generator I am refering to is the little EU1000iA Honda 1000watt unit which could be mounted in the side storage with the exhaust plumbed through the floor. It would only be enough to keep the batteries up under heavier loads.. (IE) a person that has LOTS of electrical stuff. TV, PC, Fridge, Microwave, cook-top, coffee maker, ton of chicken lights, heavy load on the heat/AC unit............