winter apu

I have tri pac that's tied into cooling system of trk. I have a fuel fired bunk heater, also tank heaters are plumbed into cooling system, trk is also equipped with a 3000 watt inverter and my block heater is plugged into it. This combination ensures trk starts even at -40. Just some more ideas for some to ponder is all

 

My tripac is set up like jason's is - the engine powers an alternator (not a generator) and an a/c compressor as well. I have a diesel-fired bunk heater that uses a 12v fan and burns diesel fuel from the tanks to heat the cab when the engine is off. My APU's engine is tied into the trucks coolant loop but heating is provided solely from the bunk heater and not from any coolant being circulated through a heater core.

When I'm at home I leave the climate control panel switched on, and the APU button set to on (so the APU engine can start) but I press the mode button on the control panel until none of the lights are on for temperature control - i.e. it doesn't maintain a set temperature in the cab. In this mode however, it does monitor battery voltage - so when my battery voltage drops down past a certain point from my fridge being on, GPS being left plugged in, etc., etc., the engine starts up and keeps the batteries topped off. Of course whenever the APU's engine is running it circulates and warms up the coolant so I'm not starting a dead-cold engine when I leave out, either.

 

my truck just has the webasto diesel powered heater, the truck is shut down right now for a 34 in freezing temps so might be fun when I go Tuesday morning to see if it will even start up.

 

I had the same setup. I wouldn't trust it down in subzero temperatures. I forget the exact amount but you are looking around 18 gallons of coolant it has to keep warm. You get so cold that little engine starts losing the battle.

 

APU users should also understand even a well-configured APU does little to help keep the engine block warm, and do nothing to keep fuel (in the truck fuel filters and primary fuel lines) from reaching outside ambient temp. The little bit of warm fuel the APU recirculates into the tanks is pretty much irrelevant in terms of anti-gelling benefit where it counts.

 

That's why i have a big inverter and keep block heater plugged in when engine off. Trk starts just fine after a night in -30 or colder. But also use fleet guard fuel antigel.