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Carrier APU question

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by HighwaySuperTramp, Jan 4, 2018.

Page 1 of 3
  1. Jan 4, 2018 #1
    HighwaySuperTramp

    HighwaySuperTramp Medium Load Member

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    I have a comfort pro, but I've noticed in the brutal cold my apu heater doesn't work super well to heat my entire cab. I have a Peterbilt 579 so it's not very big.

    I bought a ceramic heater for $40 and it works wonderful, 78° all night long and it's -26 outside. Has anyone else done this? How is it working for you?

    I'm nervous with it since it's only a 900-1500w heater and I want to add an oil pan heater to my engine running off the apu for the main engine for cold starting.

    Anyone else?
     
    HighwaySuperTramp, Jan 4, 2018
    HighwaySuperTramp, Jan 4, 2018
    #1
    The Kraut Thanks this.
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  3. Jan 4, 2018 #2
    mitrucker

    mitrucker Road Train Member

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    Lapeer, MI
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    I’ve noticed the same thing with my Carrier APU. If it stays running in the brutal cold, the heat isn’t too good. Mechanic turned up the rpms. Says that should solve the problem.
     
    mitrucker, Jan 4, 2018
    mitrucker, Jan 4, 2018
    #2
    The Kraut and HighwaySuperTramp Thank this.
  4. Jan 4, 2018 #3
    HighwaySuperTramp

    HighwaySuperTramp Medium Load Member

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    I don't know how, it's a ceramic heater. Won't get any warmer than what it does. My issue is my under bed part of bunk is uninsulated and my heater has to heat -40 air before it heats the bunk.
     
    HighwaySuperTramp, Jan 4, 2018
    HighwaySuperTramp, Jan 4, 2018
    #3
  5. Jan 4, 2018 #4
    The Kraut

    The Kraut Medium Load Member

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    I use a small ceramic heater too, 900 -1500 Watt. With the Volvo midroof it keeps the temperature cozy at this cold weather. According to Carrier you have 5200 Watt available in low heat mode, doesn't work in high heat mode.
    Had this problem with other Carrier APU's before, It's only 5000 BTU in low heat and 10000 BTU in high heat mode. Never got the truck warm enough and had to idle.
    Depending on how much Watt the pan heater uses, it should work.
    I've noticed, the colder the intake temperature is, the colder the outlet from the APU is. When the ceramic heater is running you have a higher intake temperature.
     
    The Kraut, Jan 4, 2018
    The Kraut, Jan 4, 2018
    #4
    HighwaySuperTramp Thanks this.
  7. Jan 4, 2018 #5
    mitrucker

    mitrucker Road Train Member

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    Sounds like I got fed some bs. He and I are going to have a chat about that.
     
    mitrucker, Jan 4, 2018
    mitrucker, Jan 4, 2018
    #5
  8. Jan 4, 2018 #6
    HighwaySuperTramp

    HighwaySuperTramp Medium Load Member

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    I only plan on a 500w pan heater. Just to keep the oil above 40°. Had an issue where the oil was 10° where I lived because of the wind. So you're running a ceramic heater too? Do you run your APU heater on low as well? I've been meaning to try it but I don't wanna risk tripping something in this cold. I figured my cearmic heater, plus pan heater plus the apu on low heat should he 3000w and everything be nice and warm.

    Another trick I use too, I key the fans in the truck. My blower is full of warm coolant so it helps warm the cab.
     
    HighwaySuperTramp, Jan 4, 2018
    HighwaySuperTramp, Jan 4, 2018
    #6
    The Kraut Thanks this.
  9. Jan 4, 2018 #7
    HighwaySuperTramp

    HighwaySuperTramp Medium Load Member

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    Might be a loose gen belt. The heater has 2 settings 1500w and 3000w.
     
    HighwaySuperTramp, Jan 4, 2018
    HighwaySuperTramp, Jan 4, 2018
    #7
    The Kraut Thanks this.
  10. Jan 4, 2018 #8
    The Kraut

    The Kraut Medium Load Member

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    You have no power at the APU outlet in high heat mode. I run it on low heat and have power for the ceramic heater. Was thinking about adding a second ceramic heater and try it out.
    I'm company driver not O/O, as an O/O I would install a pan heater too and try it.
     
    The Kraut, Jan 4, 2018
    The Kraut, Jan 4, 2018
    #8
    HighwaySuperTramp Thanks this.
  11. Jan 4, 2018 #9
    HighwaySuperTramp

    HighwaySuperTramp Medium Load Member

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    Okay awesome, tonight I'm gonna try that then. Do you run your ceramic heater on high then your carrier heater on low then?
     
    HighwaySuperTramp, Jan 4, 2018
    HighwaySuperTramp, Jan 4, 2018
    #9
    The Kraut Thanks this.
  12. Jan 4, 2018 #10
    The Kraut

    The Kraut Medium Load Member

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    Had the ceramic heater on high but over night on low, it was too warm :)
    New Years Eve in Omaha it was -26 and warm enough in the cab.
    When it's not so cold I use the ceramic heater to heat the area in the front, when sitting on the drivers seat I always got ice cold feet with the APU running, it was warm enough in the cab but not in the front.
    With the ceramic heater, problem solved.
     
    The Kraut, Jan 4, 2018
    The Kraut, Jan 4, 2018
    #10
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