Having APU auto-start after engine stop on Freightliner?

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by tscottme, Oct 25, 2017.

  1. Oct 25, 2017 #1
    tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

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    I'm asking about a 2017 Freightliner with Thermoking Tripac APU. I have been told there is a way to have the APU come on by itself after truck engine is shut down. I have noticed 1-2 times on my truck after I shut truck off and say walked into customer or truck stop that when I return the APU is running. I definitely did not go back into the sleeper and turn on the APU. How do you make that happen on purpose? The way I use the APU is once the key is turned off and key turned further left that is when I can go back into sleeper and press down the knob that turns between A/C, vent, heat until those symbols light up. Then the APU begins working. I would like the option of having the APU start automatically sometimes. I don't think there is an outside temp sensor on my truck. I do know that the times the APU seems to have come on by itself the weather was mild, not hot or cold.
     
    tscottme, Oct 25, 2017
    tscottme, Oct 25, 2017
    #1
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  3. Oct 25, 2017 #2
    STexan

    STexan Road Train Member

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    It may have the "battery minder" option turned on, and the low-voltage threshold is set too high. But IIRC, the TK can be set to maintain a given sleeper temp, and can also be set to remain on (with engine off), even after the main engine has cycled on/off. Regardless, something seems to be not set right
     
    STexan, Oct 25, 2017
    STexan, Oct 25, 2017
    #2
  4. Oct 25, 2017 #3
    Hoofbeats

    Hoofbeats Road Train Member

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    This.
     
    Hoofbeats, Oct 25, 2017
    Hoofbeats, Oct 25, 2017
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  5. Oct 25, 2017 #4
    DustyRoad

    DustyRoad Road Train Member

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    The APU is designed to turn on and off when the key is turned off or on and will not run when the engine is running. However, the unit must be set to on in the bunk. There is also a disable switch usually under the dashboard to disable autostart.
     
    DustyRoad, Oct 25, 2017
    DustyRoad, Oct 25, 2017
    #4
  7. Oct 25, 2017 #5
    Hoofbeats

    Hoofbeats Road Train Member

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    A simple Google search pulls up the owner's manual in PDF form.
     
    Hoofbeats, Oct 25, 2017
    Hoofbeats, Oct 25, 2017
    #5
  8. Oct 26, 2017 #6
    supersnackbar

    supersnackbar Road Train Member

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    I believe it has to be set up(as in it's ecm is programmed) to start upon key-off conditions. My current company's APU has off, stand-by, and hvac modes (hvac is when you start it to stay cool/warm) but doesn't automatically start in stand-by mode unless the temps are sub-zero or the batteries need charged. And you have to manually activate the hvac mode by pressing the selector knob.

    A previous company's APU would start automatically in stand-by mode when I turned off the truck key unless I turned the unit off entirely, but it was the old model with a different control panel.
     
    supersnackbar, Oct 26, 2017
    supersnackbar, Oct 26, 2017
    #6
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