Apu decision time

Here is a quote I got for the Dometic Commercial ac unit:
Dometic 477915 13,500 BTU Commercial Grade Air Conditioner Upper Unit... $530.20
Dometic 3107206.017 ADB Kit with Manual Controls Polar White... $69.95
Dometic 3101121.030 Heating Kit For Non-Ducted Models... $51.90
Plus shipping. Not too bad IMHO, and they are supposed to be tougher than the Colemans.

Martin

 

Marty,
Sounds like the dometic would be the better choice over the polar-cub to me as well. Things have changed since I was installing units on big-rigs.

The wall-mounted thermostat works better than the units oem thermo because its down lower where youre at, & isn't affected by the temp at the vent. It's a 2 wire set-up so wouldn't be a problem for you to install. Could be "digital"or a simple mercury/bubble/bimetal spring type. Your choice.

I'm not a big fan of the "heat-strips" because ...heat rises. A simple cube heater on the floor works better & you can point it any dirrection you want.
Your choice again tho.

I'm happy as heck to have helped ya & hope to see ya out there some time.
R.

 

Cheers Rob!
I have a small portable heater right now, a Honeywell 1500w with 2 heat settings. Ran it on the high setting last night as it was 23 degrees out. Just topped a gas can off, took 1.4 gallons for 9.5hrs of heat!
Will look into the remote t/stat for the Dometic when I get around to it, sounds easy enough after the work so far.
I just left your favorite store too and bought this to mount to the rig for those weekends parked up
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200442300_200442300
Got the larger one in case I wake up to flat batteries, shouldn't take long to give them a boost with a 25amp charge I dont think.
Getting there slowly but surely, next time I have a week or so off, will wire the truck and install the rooftop unit.
Hope to see you out there some time mate, look for a red Columbia with Midwest Specialized on the door. Coffee's are on me!

Martin

 

Red Century with an "ali-arc" alum canadian moose bumper. STC (Sammons) on the door. Red 48' steel F/B.
C-ya!
R.

edit; BTW,,,cb is always on anytime the truck is running!

 

this is what Volvo put in their trucks with factory shore power, but twice as much at the Volvo parts counter.BTW if you buy the right inverter and get the remote start option on your Honda the inverter will start your generator if you wire it correctly.

 

These inverters are were originally built for boats and campers and motorhomes, when its in your driveway or in storage you plug in the shore power,and it will recharge (maintain) your batteries. When your out on the lake or in the woods you get 120v.Yes it is both an inverter and a battery charger and if wired correctly it will start ANY key start generator

 

I DO NOT know anything about these just stumbled on it and thought I would share... http://www.truckgenerators.com

 

i checked that link....where the heck you gonna find propane on the road? sure you can find it but what a pain in the butt.

 

Propane is available at most truck stops, but I agree it's more of a PIA to get than gas is. Mounting the propane tnak could also be a challenge too IMHO.
The EU3000is is working flawlessly, as is the Dometic ac. I added an extra vent to the interior panel, and that makes it perfect for a big rig. The remote start is working great thus far too.
Racking up hours, especially while on the blades again, as there is a fair bit of sitting time etc.
Martin

 

I have a willis and I do not recommend it....I'm on my 3rd unit...the first one Peterbuilt/Willis didn't train techs to properly install them( that came from techs) so I had it in shop every 2 weeks. They finally had me go to Marshfield Mo to have the second one installed my a limo manufacturer...they did a fine job fabricating the unit to my Pete 387...work great for 6 months....took it to Peterbuilt to have it serviced( I had been changing the oil) after they serviced it a week later while it was sitting in my driveway on monitor it threw a rod....so after losing a week of work they finally took one off a new truck since willis HQ didn't send the apu when they said they would( never did send it ) have had issue after issue with this one as well. recently the fan went out( which says VLL very long life on it) of course it was 2 weeks past the warranty so they wont replace it, even though I've only had 6 months of good use in over 3 years. I've have over 30k in lost loads, fuel to get fixed, and the unit. Currently am starting legal action against them to recoup some lost money. I have an inch and half thick folder with work orders and phone records (60 in 1 month), lost loads . I even put a video of it leaking all the antifreeze out on YouTube. that happened 2x. because the installation was wrong (had metal rubbing metal which rubbed a hole in the radiator. Please drivers save yourself the trouble and do NOT buy a willis apu. I'm speaking only from experience.