At 50%, plan on replacing batteries in 3 years.
You don't get energy for free. Even though you're going to see slightly better conversion efficiency of diesel to electrical energy from using your main engine vs. an APU, it will most likely be a wash, all things considered.
Personally, I'd trade the 1-2% conversion efficiency to be able to have an independent and more versatile power source (APU) than to have to be dependent on a limited battery bank to keep me cool in hot weather. Especially when you run the risk of not being able to fully charge your aux batteries from time to time due to short runs, or layovers longer than the 10 hours that the batteries limit you to.
Fuel when idling?
Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by crazw, Dec 11, 2013.
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