Running with JCT, Part Deux

As a driver we have more than enough time to perfect the routine. LoL

 

Yes we do

 

Quick survey on APUs.

Tri Pac or Comfort Pro, and why or why not? Legitimate answers please

 

I like tripack because of the inverter and fueled fired heater. That being said, I have a carrier that I have had no problems with.

 

Comfort Pro doesn't put out that great of heat. Every truck I've been in on the yard that had one it was loud. It's not as loud as the carrier refeer, but with those two running at once you are punishing the guy parked next to you. Last PM I had done it cost close to $400 due to filter and fluid replacement.

I have no experience with the tk apu however, so I have no frame of reference.

 

The reason I ask is because the president of W & B (company that provides Carrier & Comfort Pro by IMPCO) called me today to get my view on TK vs Comfort Pro. As I have never had a Comfort Pro myself, I was limited to speaking about it and just relayed the info I have received from other drivers.

He went so far as to offer to put a Comfort Pro on my new truck and if after 6-9 months I wasn't convinced his was a better product, he'd pay to put a Tri Pac on my truck.

I told him I would try to gather more info from drivers and get back to him so they can try to improve and tweak their product.....hence my earlier post about opinions and comments. Any feedback is appreciated.

 

I don't think my Carrier is any louder than when when I had a TK. I have had a few issues with my Carrier, but all covered inder warrenty and it did take take some getting used to the different setup.

My bigger complaint about the Carrier is the unwillingness of JCT or Carrier for not allowing an inverter to be installed. I agree with @Saturday that the heat isn't the best. Especially during the coldest months of winter. The a/c is about the same between the two in my opinion.

The warranty period is too short with it being only 6000 hours. Way to short considering the unit must be running for anything.

Since the unit is its own coolant loop, it should have a engine warmer on it. Hell, all the trucks should have them. The Carrier can be a pain to start in the winter and I'm not the only driver that had that issue. I never had issued starting the TK in the winter and that shares the coolant loop with the truck.

The unit does not turn off when you start the big motor like the TK does. Anyone with a Carrier has had that doh moment when they stop and realize the unit was running for the past 6 hours of so of driving.

If I had the choice between the TK and Carrier, it would be TK all the way.

 

Something like this would keep main motor and APU nice and warm.

http://www.webasto.com/us/markets-products/truck/heating-systems/products/dbw-2010/

 

The option to having an inverter is just that, an option. The package JCT bought doesn't include an inverter.

The part about the heat was explained to me like this. There are heat strips that they use to provide heat. Apparently there are several heat strips involved. The prez was telling me that they have actually had to remove a strip at the request of some fleets because drivers got too hot. Not sure what the JCT set up is.

The new TK units will have a 5 year/10000 hour warranty.

The TK well also have a closed loop system.

As far as the unit not turning off when starting the truck is due to settings, a lot of which drivers are unaware of.

 

It's an option JCT won't let you exercise unless you have a medical issue. Therefore, an inverter is not an option.