Thermo King Tripac Evo question: Current Charge

abyliks · Feb 10, 2026

Antinomian said: ↑

That's an older version of the software. It became obsolete after Windows 7. Try downloading the R5 version and see if the readings make more sense. TK doesn't make a 250 amp alternator for their APU so that reading is obviously false.

To anyone debating which APU to buy...

I've had both a TK and a Carrier. They both have given me problems and have cost a lot to keep running.

I like that the TK has an engine driven AC compressor. It cools better in the summer than my Carrier did.

I absolutely hate the Espar hearter the TK has. Carriers have an electric heater that always works. The Espar doesn't work at high altitudes. They make a high altitude kit for it, but of course they don't give them away.

The TK Yanmar engine smokes at high altitudes, sometimes so much that I have to shut it off and idle the truck. The Carrier Kubota engine doesn't.

The TK has an electric fuel pump which always picks up prime without any trouble after I change the fuel filter. The Carrier Kubota engine has a mechanical fuel pump and I always had to crank and crank and crank to get it to prime after changing the filter.

I changed the alternator more than once on both APU. If you get a TK get the 120 amp alternator and make sure it come with the new version, the one with the orange voltage regulator.

The Carrier has a huge generator under it in addition to an alternator. Mine went out and cost $1500 to replace. That was just for the part, I replaced it myself. Don't over tighten the belt. That's what I did and it wrecked the bearings.

Don't ever buy a water pump for a TK on Amazon. They're only $69 but will fail in a few months because the bearing is crap and when it fails it will take the seal with it. My APU quit one night and I got out of the truck to find most of my engine coolant running down the parking lot. The cost of that coolant could have paid for an OEM water pump.

Mount your condenser up as high on the back of your cab as you can. Road dirt, oil, grease, etc will kill AC efficiency

Either way you go you're in for some frustration and some expense. They're worth their weight in gold when they're working though.
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I don’t think I could bring myself to drill the back of the cab, is there no other option for the condenser?

Antinomian · Feb 10, 2026

abyliks said: ↑

I don’t think I could bring myself to drill the back of the cab, is there no other option for the condenser?
Click to expand...

You can mount it anywhere it will fit. Just be aware if you mount it low it will get clogged with road grime over time.

ducnut · Feb 10, 2026

Antinomian said: ↑

You can mount it anywhere it will fit. Just be aware if you mount it low it will get clogged with road grime over time.
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No only that, it WILL get pelted with rocks, which will potentially put a hole through the condenser.

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