THERMO KING Tri-Pak APU

What down time? Why would a TriPac cost anybody down time? You don't need an APU to roll down the road making money. My TriPac goes into the shop when im at home.

My TriPac has been in the shop twice. Once for an AC problem, as the dryer had rubbed a hole in itself and leaked out all the freon. Second problem was for a hard start issue, and a fried inverter. Mechanic increased the idle speed (it starts much easier now) and swapped in a new inverter.

Other than that its been totally trouble free. I use it daily, and consider it to be one of the best purchases I have made...

 

Not everyone's home geography allows this convenience. Lucky for you I guess.
Not my concern either way. I do know that PERCENTAGE wise, reguardless of brand, APU's tend not to be cost effective for owner ops. IE...all the horror stories I've read here, and incounters w/ owners of these units. I think for the money y'all spend on these contraptions they should be a little more trouble free. That's all.....

 

I'm with the other drivers it's junk. I got hired with the my company in aug 2010 Ryder put a brand new tripac on and I had it in the shop 6 times. About 4 times for a wire near the alternator and 2 times for the alternator bracket. They just replaced the bracket and now the #### thing squeals so bad I'd rather idle and I think the dude who parks next to me would rather I idle too.

 

Aaaawwwww
Another satisfied customer

 

I have had all sorts of problems with my TriPac over the past 5 years. 7 Alternators worth, plus other minor aggrevations. But it has never cost me a load or revenue. Repair costs yes, but balancing them against the 10,000 hours on it, which would have taken way more than that many engine hours if I did not have it, it is still well worth it.

 

How much of this was covered under warranty?

 

A good portion, the extended warranty was well worth the expense.

But arguing with a shop when the say that an alternator that provides electricity on something that is basically a generator is not considered a "major" component, was not fun.

 

Id think not.
I thought about getting an APU so I researched it and found a "more problems
than its worth" response. After initial cost, repairs, "possible" down time, and fuel, I think
idleing sounds like less of a headache. I'm looking into building my own actually. Can't go
wrong with a Honda Gen.

 

I've got a Honda generator up under my passenger side fairing (on a Volvo 780) and a portable air conditioner for the summer in my passenger seat with a battery tender for the batts and an Espar (used I picked up for $150) with an extra battery I use for near zero idleing. The truck is set up for shore power, so I have 120 outlets all thru the truck. Total cost was under $2500. Gen runs for 10-12 hrs between refills and no noise. Gen is vented out thru add on exhaust port out the stack. Working on adding extra fuel tank this spring.

 

I recently bought a Volvo with 120 outlets inside. It has a connection for cabin power on the outside next to the block heater, but at the end of the wire is just a disconnected pigtail. Can't seem to find where this connects to send power to the 120 outlets, any ideas?