APU's

Being the owner of a shop installing and repairing APUs' I am always interested to read comments about the virtues of different APU's.

APU's can be split into two catagories ones that are interfaced with the original trucks comfort systems (read 16K BTU's) and those that have a totally seperate Heating/AC system usually mounted under the bunk and providing 115 A/C voltage to houshold sockets in the cab/sleeper.
Both have their advantages. Some features are not for all. The biggest concern is that if the interfaced unit causes a big engine failure (the one up front)and its under warranty you might find yourself SOL with a big bill.

The whisper quiet Willis I consider is the R/R or Cadillac of APU's with battery voltage and engine temp monitoring not to mention an air brake compressor option. The top of the line unit will set you back about $15000 installed.
Like I stated not for everyone!

The unit I do like for all its single cylinder drawbacks is the Frigette or Alliance if it stuffed on a "Frightliner". Simple in its construction it delivers the goods for the occupant at about $7500 new and approximately $2000 for install depending upon what you want in the sleeper box.
The drawback is inlet noise. When running the single Kubota engine makes a bop bop bop noise--Not for everyone. Gordon Trucking (a customer of my shop) has about 20 odd Frigette/Alliances on their "Freights" and the drivers don't seem to mind the noise who I have spoken to. I do by the way have some factory recons of both makes for about 25% lower than list so cheaper units are out there if you look.

The middle of the road is a nice tidy Powertechnologies unit with claw type mounts for the APU box. So no frame drilling (American Inginuity at work--nice touch) With some systems monitoring it comes out at about $10k installed.

For something different, consider the Webasto C5 Blue Cool with passive cooling and meets ALL CALIF regs. I have one of these on offer for $6K installed so deals are out there!

As for deals, I have seen some cheapo Chinese made units going into the market place known an "A Trans", does anyone have experience of these beauties??? Someone is offering me a job lot for something more US made (hooray hooray).

On installing them DIY. I am sure many handy guys can do this. its a question of time. Big trucks are like sharks--if they stop swimming they are dead! Likewise big trucks have to keep rolling to make money or they are dead!
I have picked up the bits after several O/O's have had a go only to find that it takes longer than expected. One customer got so much grief from "the little lady indoors" on his truck being in the driveway and she falling over the APU in the garage he capitulated and shipped the lot to town. Besides she saw no revenue from seeing the truck VOR!
Stay safe on the road
Actros