Idle or Not to Idle?

Oscar: I am also looking at this as a possible way to not run it out of gasoline every day. Just not sure how safe it would be sitting on very hot pavement. Wonder if my insurance would cover this .................................

 

What model Honda generator are you using Danny?

 

Having been at all of ends idling spectrum to sleeping in the extremes shutdown, an APU is the only way to go. It is proven a TK will pay for itself in 13 months or so by the difference in fuel saved. Everything after that is $$$ in your pocket. When they have a lifespan of 10 years or better that is 9 years of the lowest cost comfort one can get. If you are going to live on the road one needs all the bells and whistles. You deserve it. An APU is tax deductible and some states even offer some kind of energy credit.
All one has to do is play a money game and take out a loan. The money saved each month will make the payment. Surely if you have credit to buy a truck you can get an APU.

 

Volvo idleing at the manufacturers optimum idle speed,( preset), uses .5gl/hr. idle is around 750-800 rpms. has a readout in dash screen.

 

The ideal situation for me would be to get a brand new Coronado glider truck, and a TK APU unit installed on it from new. The APU should last about 5-6yrs if you do not use it every single day. The truck would be a "lifer" as I like tio call it, the one I keep for the enitrety of my truck driving life. The TK engine is easily rebuilt in your garage in a day or two when it needs it. And if you do not have the know-how or mechanical ability, any small engine repair shop can do a rebuild for cheap.

My question is, how much will an APU extend my trucks engine life??? If I can get even 1 more year out of the trucks engine, then the APU pays for itself 3 times over considering the revenue you will make in that 1 year compared to the overhaul cost and loss downtime.

 

That's still 2-3 times more fuel than an APU.


So not even considering the fuel cost.


The mechanical wear on an engine is hardest at idle.

It's always been my understanding that one hour of idle time is equal to driving 50 miles. That is partly why an engine has an hour meter. Especially a static engine like a generator. My TriPac hour meter doesn't add hours unless it's actually running. I have paid that much attention to it. If it did, I'd be adding a separate hour meter AT the engine quickly.

So even if I idle that APU for 125-135 (call it 130 hours average) hours this entire year, that's 6500 miles of wear I am not putting on my engine. That has serious value to me.


I see each engine as a tool on my truck. The big engine is for getting my load down the road. I use it for that.

The APU engine is for my creature comforts when I am sitting some place. I use it for that.


You sure wouldn't use a sledgehammer to drive in a finishing nail on trim now would you.

 

It's an EU3000is, my understanding was that it's output is perfectly matched to running a 13,500btu A/C. It will probably be a couple months before I tackle installing the A/C (Coleman Roughneck) but others have reported good results with this combination. And I rather like having to walk to the gas pumps, I need to get out and walk after parking anyways. Thought about mounting a DEF tank for gas or something, a guy could do that if he really didn't want to fill up every time but it's really no big deal to walk to the pumps and pay at the pump with a CC, it's good for you.

 

Its only a little bit of money so my comfort comes first and foremost. I idle whenever I feel like it which is usually below 60 degrees and anything above 75 degrees outside. I have never had an engine blow yet from to much idle time. And I have never had one blow while idleing either. People have their own opinions and whatever makes you feel better than go with it and believe in it. I am not one to waste a large amount of money($6500-$10,000) on a little apu.