Modern tech for eAPUs. All electric APU's.

Discussion in 'Trucking Electronics, Gadgets and Software Forum' started by Tb0n3, Jun 24, 2025.

  1. Arctic_fox

    Arctic_fox Experienced mx13 execrator

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    i thought about it but thats a lot of extra weight and a pain in the ###. And at $200-600 each and only useful in windy conditions. Id rather get a generator for less cost more reliability and less weight.

    Also @Tb0n3 i have a 220amp alternator thats putting around 800-1300 watts into the batterys constantly. I can likely upgrade it to a 360 but thats getting onto custom stuff since 220 is the biggest oem supported alternator they have and was already $1100 lol
     
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  2. Tb0n3

    Tb0n3 Road Train Member

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    What's the setup? Seeing those converters I was guessing 24V batteries charging off of 12V alternator for more power on the inverter. Victron doesn't do it but Renogy has a 12-24 at 50A available. My stock alternator is 300A for the hybrid apu for international.
    PXL_20250626_002152177.jpg
    If you could use all of it that would charge your batteries in an hour and 15 minutes. I guess double that if it's a 24 volt 400 amp hour system.
     
    Last edited: Jun 25, 2025
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  3. Arctic_fox

    Arctic_fox Experienced mx13 execrator

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    I actully have another charger for the pannels and the ones im getting should be pushing 800 watts or thereabouts total and i think he said a 100/50 system? Basically half my system is not installed hence why im reserveing judgment till he puts the rest together.

    Also the setup is like you guessed 12v to 24V. But the system relies mostly on the solar from the roof for fast charging and the truck chargers are stepped down so you dont overheat the batterys when the solar is going. He is also tieing in a shore power system on yet another charger for either genny or home power imput.
     
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  4. Tb0n3

    Tb0n3 Road Train Member

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    I did edit my post adding a bunch.
     
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  5. Arctic_fox

    Arctic_fox Experienced mx13 execrator

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    Yea i see what your saying and if the system is still pretty meh when the whole thing is installed, i defo plan to start swapping stuff. Because this is just plain dumb how bloody long this takes to charge. An hour of idle to top up i can handle. But im idleing 12ish hours a day trying to keep ahead of this crap.

    Still this is like yelling at your waiter the meal sucks when you only have a side salad and the steak is still cooking.
     
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  6. Tb0n3

    Tb0n3 Road Train Member

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    If they're typical lithiums, they should be able to handle a 1c rate which for 400 amp hour. 24 volt batteries would be near 10,000W. I highly doubt you're getting that much from the solar panels, but the alternator should be able to impact the charge levels a lot quicker than it does when charging from the engine. And that 1C rate is kind of the minimum. A lot will do a lot higher rate. Depends on the spec sheet.
     
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  7. Arctic_fox

    Arctic_fox Experienced mx13 execrator

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    Li pos but im just telling you what he told me. And the customers and reviews i found raved that his system is one of the best. So we will see. But yea im unimpressed so far.
     
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  8. Tb0n3

    Tb0n3 Road Train Member

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    You were spot on about the alternator price though. Delco Remy 40SI goes for about $2k for that 300A.
     
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  9. Arctic_fox

    Arctic_fox Experienced mx13 execrator

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    Yea i just replaced it. The one it came with fried a couple months back and i put a used 85A one on till i could source a 220. And it was $1100 from the dealer $1600 installed because it needed a diffrent belt length to turn correctly. As for the rest like i said im reserveing judgement till its all in. I dont want to #### with things until im sure its needed. Because i have a lot of isolated conmectors and such that arent in till the solar is on. It was supposed to go on at the same time i got the APU but the off the shelf stuff doesnt fit and the international prostar ones also dont fit since i have a flat roof that was only offered on lonestars that has a ridge the prostars and LTs didnt.

    If its still falling well below expecations it will be easy enough to swap the 12-24-15s out for 12-24-30s. And im putting a predator genny on here regardless just incase i end up stranded or in another situation like last winter where i cant idle for 8 days but am still stuck im the truck because emissions.

    If i never need to sleep through another week of -20F with no heat. It will be too #### soon...
     
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  10. Tb0n3

    Tb0n3 Road Train Member

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    One question I have, if you know the answer, did they replace the starter for a 24V or does it have a 12V system for the truck side?