APUs

I searched the past posts and did not find my very elementary question about apus.

How long can you run them and when should you shut them? That sounds stupid but from what I understand the apu gives power to the inverter which then would supply power. so if there is a refrigerator on the truck does that mran the apu should never be turned off?

We had to sit for a couple days and it seems like the fan was always running. . I didn't see a way to turn the fan off.. lower it yes.

Is there any link for good info in apus inverters and TRI packs for newbie newbie people lol thanks

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

APUs:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

I searched the past posts and did not find my very elementary question about apus.

How long can you run them and when should you shut them? That sounds stupid but from what I understand the apu gives power to the inverter which then would supply power. so if there is a refrigerator on the truck does that mran the apu should never be turned off?

We had to sit for a couple days and it seems like the fan was always running. . I didn't see a way to turn the fan off.. lower it yes.

Is there any link for good info in apus inverters and TRI packs for newbie newbie people lol thanks

If there is an operators manual for the APU on your truck, it will probably answer all of your questions. Otherwise you can probably find a PDF on-line for the operators manual. Is the manufacturer ThermoKing? See below.

http://www.na.thermoking.com/tk-innovation/global/en/products/apu.html

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

APUs:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

On mine there is a control for the temp. Oh as three knobs. The far right one switches between a/c, fan, and heat. Pushing this knob it turns the unit on and off.

I always leave mine on. The fan will run constant but the APU itself cycles on and off as needed. When I turn the ignition key it automatically shuts the APU off and everything runs on truck power.

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

In mine with the truck turned off and APU off the inverter converts d/c battery power to useable a/c to run the fridge. When apu senses low battery it starts to charge them. Start the apu manually when main engine is shut down to run heat or A/C or if in " comfort mode" it will start on its own. Once you start the truck, the apu shuts down automatically and engine driven alternator charges batteries, effectively taking over where the apu left off.

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

These things are an actual motor with radiator and fans etc. So they can run as long as needed. As said they typically automatically start when battery is low or if ac temp is set it will maintain temp. You can manually start then and run them as long as needed

I had an APU on my first two trucks, not on the third. i loved the APUs , they worked great for AC, and kept my fridge running no problem. The APU gets set for temp, and works like a thermostat. It hums steadily through the night and keeps the batteries charged.

Now I have a Wabasco bunk heater, which works great; but have to rely on Opti-Idle, which I hate, for AC and battery charge, The Opti-Idle senses when AC or battery charging is needed, and starts up the truck engine for as long as needed, then shuts it down again. Every time that darn thing starts and stops, it wakes me up, so I never get a really solid night of sleep.

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

APUs:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.