HP2000 APU not the one! Going with THERMO KING.

There are many good APUs out there right now and many alternative options. In this day and age companies have to stand behind their products and do. The end users needs and operations criteria will dictate which product is suited for the job. My little 1 man band show here, I chose a ThermoKing some 4yrs ago. Now have over 9000hrs on it trouble free. I get to feeling a bit guilty about my maintenance on it as one can forget it sometimes it just runs and runs. Keep an eye on the belt for abnormal wear, if you use the AC mostly it will wear a bit more along with the Idler pulley. Other than that keep all the filters clean and fresh oil. The bunk heater will run consistently and without fail if the glow pin screen is changed often, meaning approx every 60days when used everyday. You can tell its close as you will have to keep turning the temp up more and more might even have to do a restart. I have changed the flame tube once, easy to do, price was approx $185 for the parts. I chose this unit for the stand alone features. I can run the unit to charge the batteries on the truck and keep the coolant at start up temp in the Montana winters without the bunk heater running. I can run the bunk heater without the APU running as well. I have 110v power for accessories. It also provides excellent AC. I can run the inverter for 110v power without running anything else. I did change out the inverter for a 5000w Cobra as the voltage and amp levels are a little more stable with the Cobra for sensitive PC and printer/scanner operations. It did add approx 400 lbs to my tractor weight but it is mid mounted between the steer and drives, little loss for the advantages and my customers have no problem understanding the economics and environmental impacts of such equipment. Costs; up front was approx $9200 installed at that time, check with your dealer for current pricing. Fuel savings; bottom line , paid for itself in 3yrs just in fuel savings alone not to mention the wear factor savings to my main house engine, everyone seems to forget that one. I have never had a piece of equipment pay me back this fast without trouble. Like any equipment, proper service is key. This worked for me and I believe that in times of horrible fuel price escalation it saved my business. Its not just a fad going by. Here again, research the market, know your needs and know the products to meet these needs and it will pay off. I am a year into it now after it has paid me back and so it is making me money, for once something actually worked like it did on paper, not a record but well above average....
J-J

 

For under $3k all done...For battery charging, ac that will freeze your butt out of the truck, heat, and shore power inside the truck.


Quieter, lighter, more reliable, longer warranty and obviously a LOT cheaper, than any "APU" out there. Break even time is next to nothing, if you want to talk about a very quick ROI.
Throwing it out there, that there are other options available for those that are capable of thinking outside the box.

Martin

 

Is AC integrated or you need to install it separate? What is the gas (gas?) tank capacity? Is there a remote start? do I need to get out every time I need to connect wires to cab? Thanks.

 

Martin you're a pretty handy chap (for a Brit lol , only jokin) you could make a handy business out of it

 

I've read a lot about similar setups. )

 

AC is mounted to the roof. Tank is 3.6gallon capacity, and 12hrs of freezing ac uses 2 gallons of gas. Mine is indeed remote start from the cab, wireless. No wires to connect, the truck is wired with a battery charger and GFI outlet. AC is also wired permanently and has its own 20amp breaker under the bunk, which is a lift up one.
Me getting cold air in the summer time involves:
Press button on remote to start generator.
Reach up to rooftop ac unit and turn on, and set thermostat.
Sit down and relax.
Do you have to carry a couple of gas cans for most flexibility? Yep.
Does it cost a fraction of these unreliable APU's? Yep
Has it proven itself to be utterly reliable on my last two trucks? Yep
Honda EU3000is comes with a 3year commercial warranty, and there are more Honda Power Equipment dealers than ANY make of APU out there.
I carry 3 small (2+ gallons IIRC) gas cans in my headache rack. When 2 are empty I walk over to the gas pumps at a truckstop where I am parked anyways. I can also bobtail to the RV islands and fill up the generator from the pump, as well as gas cans.

Cheers! I doubt anyone would want to come up with the money myself, been there and done that before mate...

Martin

 

What model of AC do you use? Is it special for RV? Thanks.

 

Yes, rooftop RV units.
Current one is a Dometic Penguin, 13,500 BTU.
Last one was a Dometic Commercial 13,500 BTU.
Commercial has a warranty on a big rig, Penguin doesn't.
Only ones that do have a warranty on a big rig are the Dometic Commercial and Coleman Roughneck.
They all run @$7-800 delivered.

Martin

 

I don't believe you Parks. Your dealer in Springfield No the APP center Dale Doris said your unit is shxx. He said I was much better off with a refurbished TK. He said there were engine reliability issues. So there. I believe Truckers Wife and a dealer before your self serving propoganda.