Diesel Operated or Battery Operated APU: What Is The Best APU Unit?
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- Опубликовано: 28 май 2024
- When it comes to spec’ing APUs, truckers must make an energy-source choice: Electric or diesel? Which type is better?
In this video, Dave will discuss some advantages and disadvantages about both Diesel and Battery Operated APUs.
Let us know if you've learned something from this video and comment down below!
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Soundtrack:
Pop Filter - Alternate Endings
Dream - Pop
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:21 Diesel powered APU unit PROS
00:39 Diesel powered APU unit CONS
00:57 Battery operated APU unit PROS
01:20 Battery operated APU unit CONS
02:36 Truck driver advice for buying APU unit
03:05 How much does an average APU unit weigh?
03:58 Diesel APU units generally burn between 0.1 0.5 gallons of fuel per hour
04:37 How to tell the difference between battery & diesel APU units
05:02 What is the life expectancy of an APU unit?
05:26 What is the best truck APU unit?
06:01 Which APU unit is the better option? Diesel or Battery operated?
One of the best things I love about the APU is when trucks broken down, it's actually generating electricity on it's own. My carrier APU can power a 3000 watt appliance or tool without an inverter.
Great point!
With zero experience, I "built" my own "APU" with just a gasoline generator, and a stand up heat pump that does AC and heat. Awesome setup, reliable and 10 x less cost. If any component breaks, I walk into ANY store and replace the generator or AC. The only con is walking gasoline every two to three days depending how hard I'm running.
If you have enough extra juice and enjoy a computer, consider using the extra juice to mine cryptocurrencies for a little extra profit like $1 a day realistically and bonus, you'll have an awesome gaming/entertainment PC in the truck.
I used a onan cummins diesel RV generator for the fraction of the cost too.
What are you using in your setup and where do you mount the gas and generator?
@@cwilliams6483 // Carry the gasoline on your trailer if you want but I carry mine on the step boxes on my tractor. In my latest video I did another entire guide to the whole system. I started outside and went inside.
I personally like more Battery APU cuz :
- It blow air from regular trucks vents and not only from bottom so it cool faster .
- it’s is quiet
- it breakdown less and requiere less maintenance.
- Thermoking and Carrier can easy bill u over $1,000 just to do easy fix .
My Kenworth Electric APU give me 12-14 hours of cooling and then I have to idling for 3.5 hours to recharge system or go drive .
Thx u ET awesome video !
The Electric apu cools the truck different then the diesel apu?
@@Sinerwray yes electric APU blow cold air thru same vents you get A/C air when truck is running .
Diésel APU thermoking , carrier , comfort pro and other brands blow air for a small hole which usually is located under the bed which this make hard to cool the entire sleeper at very hot weather’s
Cost and return on investment and downtime is a big concern for most. Also replacement ease is simple. I had a solar generator custom built in 2016 and it took 10 weeks to get it built. I used it off grid in a camper I built and it still needed to be backed up with my gasoline generators in extreme heat or extreme cold. I love tech like anyone, but this battery tech has lots of limitations.
@@darkhorse2reign dude you had a custom build lol. That can't be compared to anything
@@jamesball8519 // My custom built solar generator I'm comparing to this gentleman's electric APU because they do have limits: Extreme hot ot cold weather and battery capacity (under those conditions) being an important limitation.
Bought 2 thermoking electric APU's for both my cascadia's. FYI during the day when extremely hot you'll get 4-6 hrs in the sleeper with the curtains closed. Will have to idle to recharge if not driving soon. As for the night, I'm getting 9-12hrs. I have had them 2 years now with 0 repairs. Best $20k spent.
Thanks for the info!
How many hours they can function without running the truck in -20C ? Thanks
@@emranhossain893 eh I imagine his numbers are pretty close at those temps just cut your numbers in half.
How much they cost is it 20k for both or single one
I love my carrier APU. Even in 100+ degree days it keeps me cool while I sleep.
Being from the hvac industry I hope to god Goodman doesn’t make one
@@swampcabbage3239 I despised Lennox when I was in HVAC. Most times couldn't fit universal parts into them.
Great vid. Went straight to answering the question. Much appreciated.
Excellent channel! Thank you for posting this video.
Glad you enjoy it!
Excellent review, thanks!
I'm glad yall made this video I didn't no the difference in a apu
Use a solar panel on top of the truck cab in conjunction with the battery-powered APU and you won't have to run your truck as much to keep the batteries charged
Introducing opti idle! It works pretty well for me on my 2022 freighker shaker!
love my electric apu...6 months with the thermoking envidia, perfect for my operation hauling oysters along the gulf coast......
Built my own eAPU 5yrs ago, upgrading from an AGM setup to a Lithium setup ATM.
Watching other operators having to service their diesel engine and replacing alternators etc while I haven't even touched my setup just reinforced my original decision to go electric. Highly recommend it to anyone who has the option.
My fear is lithium catching fire ... I'm curious tho, how do you recharge your lithium battery setup?
@@vroor32 Running two victron 30a DC to DC chargers to charge two 200ah lithium batteries. Usually puts out 60-80 amps ph... which tops it all up again pretty fast. 👍
@@keifwoki oh? 2 victrons chargers? 🤔 Good to know 👍🏿. Q?: What's your amp draw during your 10hr break? I have a mini split that draws 700W-800W @ 7amps. I would like to enjoy at least 7hrs of sleep without having to worry about draining the house batteries. Is 400AH an overkill?
@@vroor32 I'm not sure what the total draw is hourly really... 400 is overkill, I get 2-3, 7hr runs out of a full charge on a medium setting. The 12v compressor does draw a lot when it kicks in (around 70amps) so I more so wanted to ease that momentary strain on the batteries by adding the second battery. The compressor cycles on and off depending on what I set it to though, so it's hard to get a definite per hr figure overall. I'm sure it's in the victron app somewhere but haven't had to look for it yet 😅🤷🏼♂️
@@keifwoki so u use 12v system. That's why your amp draw is so high. Did you have to upgrade your alternator? Mine on a 12.7L S60 Detroit is rated for 140amps. I read somewhere that ePU equipped trucks have higher rated alternators
The truck I’m in has a diesel Tripac. I’m definitely getting one installed on my truck, whenever I buy one for myself.
Electric Apu has less of a BTU output. I've had a Thermo King Apu, parts are outrageously expensive and not easy to fix. Switched to a Green Apu I couldn't be happier. Parts are better quality for less, parts are available at any Auto Parts store and double the A/C BTU output of a Thermo King
I built my own electric apu. I love it although it's not perfect. It uses its own lithium batteries, still lighter than a diesel apu, but I don't have to worry about flat batteries in the truck. It can run the refrigeration ac for about 8-10hrs. Works for me as I tend to pull up around midnight and start again in the morning. It's OK to use while truck is moving as it's built solely from automotive components and best of all, I can park in areas where houses are close by and still have the apu run.
very good info. Best channel for real data.
Hey Dan. I appreciate that!
Correction about the A.P.U. weight & payload reduction, dot allows a weight excemption for trucks that compensates for the added weight of the APU. It is explained in the APU's paper pac/ owners pack.
It’s diesel all the way in the northern parts of Australia where I go. You may have heard it gets darn hot up there, it can be 90°F at midnight and over 120°F during the day. When you pull into a truckstop in summer all you can hear is the roar of APUs, everyone’s got one who goes up there regularly. The most popular one is the Icepak brand and they run an air cooled Kubota which is NOISY. Electric ones just don’t cut it up there.
informative simple good video, thank you.
Some battery APU have the option to use Solar and/or Shore power.
Good info we need more of this I'm a 34 years in the game. Drivers should stand together instead of pulling us apart an help each other. I try to do this. Help newer drivers. This is good info. These fuel prices are hi. An we need the fuel to make money
One thing about the battery APU people don't understand is if it's installed properly then you simply turn on the battery protection mode in your truck and after 8 hours your truck will start idle for about an hour to recharge the batteries and then you're good for another 8
But this is illegal in many areas why you can’t idle for any reason.
can u describe where is that batery protection mode i have pete 2022 ? and my aux get low and truck didnt start on its own , it was on auto start but it didnt start ??
Not a big fan of the electric APU. Once the batteries get so low, the truck has to start to charge the batteries, kind of defeats the purpose of having an APU in the first place.
that's why some companies' electric APU has to be equipped with 4 batteries so that it keeps running for up to 12 hours. Like the volta Air one. IQ apu
Well, good video but I don't think personal preference should be an option here. If there is in anyway the possibility that a Driver might spend a day down for whatever reason & it's dangerously Hot or Cold out, you don't want the Electric. Whatever design a Driver or Company chooses, it comes down to keeping the tank full. If the batteries are weak in the Electric APU, then you'll have to run your engine regardless of the fuel load. If you choose the Diesel APU & have a low fuel load, at least you can stretch the load because it'll allow the Driver to turn off the engine & run the APU that'll only use 0.1 - 0.6 gal/hr. as opposed to 5 gal./hr. The weight issue favors the Diesel, see links below. I know there's more Mfr's. out there, I just chose those two. There's three more at least. There are many business factors & situations that'll determine what APU design works for a customer. But for crap sake, don't think that saving the Planet factors into the business plan. One little truck or a couple dozen won't do anything to keep the Planet clean, which the Climate People haven't explained but if we ask, we're deniers. They're afraid of the truth & have been for +50 years. Do what the business requires, not what some climate criers want. The Planet is fine, work on your bottom line instead.
www.carrier.com/truck-trailer/en/north-america/products/na-truck-trailer/apu/ www.thermoking.com/na/en/road/auxiliary-power-units.html
From 2007 to 2012 I drove a '07 FTL Columbia with a Carrier APU. The fuel filters had to be changed every second month. Other than that there was nothing else that went wrong in 698 thousand miles.
Are apu basically piwer inverters? I remember CR England didnt let company drivers have inverters. The apu could be used to keep a tv and game console running while the truck is off right?
Something you didnt mention is if its very cold outside the APU will keep also keep the truck batterys topped off. Or if your batterys get too low to start it can be used to boost power.
The diesel APU or the electric one? -
@@Avant-GardeFarm the diesel. It’s much easier to start the small motor when it’s cold and it has enough alternator to charge the big battery’s over a nights sleep.
APU are great, my Diesel burns over 1 gallon an hour during idle. Stupid expensive, and hard on the engine. Still, if your employer has an absolute no idle do not work for them! They do not care if you freeze to death.
At -45 C if that APU packs it in and you cannot idle nor drive because of roads conditions you are dead. I know because 18 year ago it happened to me. Again during the Covid-19 bs lockdown mine crapped out in the far north. This time I fired up my Diesel and ran that puppy until I could get moving. It was only -20 C then, but plenty cold enough to kill if you have no heat.
Do "not" trust the trucking company cares about your life if you have no damn safety line in a storm when your APU craps out and you absolutely cannot idle!
All I can say is you write pretty well, and at length, for someone who’s been dead for 18 years. People today just aren’t tough like that.
Probably drive at night a lot, I’m guessing…
@@markstevens1729 hyperbole is a dying art I suppose lol 😆
Be safe
I was just talking to a Heartland driver, he said they had to settle a lawsuit for a guy who they didn't allow to idle and died of heatstroke. So now they can idle.
@@trentallman984 I hope they got hit stinking hard. The people that made the decision should be jailed for manslaughter
@@vitaquasus1120 he said it was in the millions. I run for just a guy, and he doesn't care. But I still use a fan whenever it makes sense. It will be 66 here tonight so I will be fine.
Do you have the idle the truck in order to charge these electric ones? Can it be charged while you're driving?...
My diesel carrier has always let me down. It also is louder than the actual truck
Lmao it’s like yes I’m comfy but I want sleep
Make a longer exhaust for it it woild take less than a hour and it would be so quiet the ac would be louder in the truck
Thanks.
I’m outside an APU dealer now about to be the first thru the gate this morning so they can work on this Tri Pack.
What I need for my other truck (in freightliner) is a cheap Apu that will power my devices and batteries 🪫 while sleep not just the AC only. I need it all but don’t want to pay 13k for one of these traditional ones.
If anybody knows of something that actually works, include the link. I see those Chinese brand-new APUs (1000-$1500) online but don’t know of anyone personally using them. Can’t even tell how they work.
Thanks.
ruclips.net/video/GxyMZP5G1mk/видео.html
check out this one
Can you use shore power to keep the batteries charged?
What about the diesel you burn using the APU? As an independent I have to pay IFTA fuel tax every quarter. The more diesel I burn the less mpg I get therefore I would have to pay more IFTA tax. I have the Cascadia electric APU system with 4 batteries (1150 cca AGM)and 1500 watt inverter. It’s good during hot weather for 8 hours and runs my microwave, tv, etc. I bought a Predator 3500 Inverter generator (very quiet) for $800 to charge the batteries for the APU and truck batteries. It uses 2 gallons every 10 to 12 hours. I use synthetic oil in it, a hotter spark plug, removed the spark arrestor, and disconnected the low oil sensor. It has 2800 hours on it and uses about 2 ounces of oil every 100 hours. There’s no way I would spend $12,000 to $13,000 on a diesel APU. Hope this helps other Independent Truckers out. ✌
an apu does not burn 1gal, I believe the burn rate is .22 gallon and hour at full load. an hour like he said, and the epu only has 4 battery's not 8, and the epu destroys lead battery regularly as a lead acid battery can only cycle 50% charge 200-350 times and then t is dead.
It burns 1/4 gallon an hr.
Apu exemption gives you 400 pounds. So legally you can run 80,400. So you actually can carry more weight then normal. Apu does not weigh 400
Wrong it only allows 34400 on ur drives. Under 80000lbs.
Exactly, and they are over 400 lbs. eg. Kenworth smart air electric apu adds 555 lb according to spec sheet.
the one I found at Volta AIr it weight only 150 LB
Just invested in a diesel APU. eAPU vs. diesel APU came into the decision making process as to what would be the best investment. Made many calls to manufacture's of APU's and all make claims to stand by their units. However, I discovered that eAPU's (Electric) have a downside. One is that eAPU's do not work as efficiently as diesel APU over time as the batteries will need to be charged. There's no getting around this. The more it's used the more the batteries will be depleted. It has to be recharged at some point. A fully charged eAPU will put out as much air as a diesel APU. However, by the 6th hour of usage, it will not work at its full capacity. Thus, at some point, the batteries will need to be recharged. Diesel APU's, on the other hand, will run at full capacity throughout it's usage as long as there is fuel in the fuel tank's and there are no mechanical issues. Also, not all diesel APU's are plumed into the coolant system of the truck. Some are completely stand alone. Sure you will not wake up to a warm engine as an APU that is plumed into the coolant system, but, if you have a coolant system mechanical failure, such as I did, it will not shut down your APU. Two, some diesel APU's generate a lot more power which eliminates the need for an inverter. Third, some diesel APU's also provide heat which eliminates the need for an espar unit. The decision was a difficult one to make because there are trade off between both units. I love that eAPU's are extremely noise free and mostly inexpensive when it comes to mechanical issues. As business owner's, we should be looking for all possible way's to maximize profit's while keeping our expenses low. It only makes sense to go with an eAPU. Nevertheless, usage has to be taken into consideration as well. For my business, the diesel APU was the better decision because I would be getting the most ROI (Return on investment).
Green APU is the way to go!
Oh ya!
🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼
Does a diesel apu take diesel from the truck tanks or does it have its own tank
From the truck tanks
@@keithshaw3272 ok thanks
It's used fuel from the truck tanks
Hello, can I get 24 V DC APU?
Pretty sure a APU uses 1 gallon per 10 hours of operation vs idling is 1 gallon per hour.
That's usually the standard that I was told when I had an APU. Honestly, I think I'm leaning more towards getting a diesel APU
@@2Pish I have a thermoking tri-pac evolution, its very reliable
@info_fox as long you keep up with maintenance check oil but when you don't then it's 1000$ to fix the thing
Or just build your own electric one for half the cost and install solar panels.. mine is 10kw battery and 1200 watt hours of solar with a mini split ac I installed. Total cost $7000 no maintenance and should last 20 years
The APU is good but very NOISY that is why I don't park beside a truck that has APU.
What about adding solar? I’ve seen some Canadian trucks with panels on the sleeper. Read a couple of articles.
(plug into reefer)
Battery won't hold for more than 2 hours by itself in cold
I have driven slipseat 60+ trucks battery apu won't work unless plugged in to reefer
great info
Depends if you want to actually use it during very cold weather- and maint is far more- when the battery takes a shit!
will your battery apu work in freezing conditions?
Absolutely! However, for heat, better to supplement with a diesel fired heater. Compact and cheap. The size of a lunchbox $1000
Electric ⚡️ one is cool when you have 120v at shipper and receivers but a sad part they are enjoying when drivers begging them:)) picked up used 🛒 carts at Walmart drained batteries 🔋 so I bought extension cord and they let me use their power! charged my batteries I have factory inverter-charger installed.. now I have diesel APU:)
I’ve always had diesel apu, never let me down and don’t have to idle engine.
Go with a Diesel APU 100%. Try using a battery APU during your reset. It ain't happening. They say they will run the A/C for "up to 12 hours". Do the math for a hot day, in broad sunlight, and at BEST, they can run the A/C unit for about 7-8 hours tops. It might go a bit over 8 hours running at night where the A/C compressor isn't working as hard.
I liked my electric APU with challenger. I work for a small fleet now that has diesel APU. Sounds like a damn weed whacker, can barely sleep.
Wouldn't it be cheaper to put a Honda generator in a vented box work just as good?
Doubtful. Diesel APU's are plumbed into the truck engine coolant lines, so that the APU can keep the engine block and oil warm for easier winter starting - and warm air will come out of the vents!!! lol
I don't think a generator in a vented box can be plumbed into the coolant lines.
Many truckers have gas generators on their rigs. Not as neat but definitely cheaper. Only downside is having to get gas for it.
Batteries dont last period a few years and they are gone like the older teslas that are being scrapped as the battery packs cost more then the car is worth, diesel any day of the week especially in extreme heat and cold and if you had to DIY diesel you can pick up an Onan QD3200 fairly cheap which is a Haier diesel with a transfer switch install
I bought a thermo-king, and wish I had found a better way. The a/c works but not that well, the heater, which is an Espar, worked great the first few months it was installed. After that it only runs with a full tank of fuel. And then only for about 3 minutes, then I have to shut it off and restart it. No matter what the outside temperature is. I went to Thermo- king, and told them about it they hooked it up to a laptop and said it works perfectly. So after 2 years I’m through with that garbage!
Is it getting over heated my apu was doing that and I found out the coolant line was closed from.the truck
@@Sinerwray nothing is over heated, temps are right where they need to be.
I see nowadays trucks with gas generators.
👍😉
i’ve ytge electric one yes you have to turn on the engine in order to recharge the battery but it only take about an hour in a whole 34 reset nonetheless i can’t understand the fact to ruin my reset by having a diesel one running under my ear 24/7 it’s just ridiculous
We get you!
If you have the correct number of batteries, and the right kind, Lithium, there is no need to fire the truck up and charge them on a long reset.
If the diesel motor in the truck goes down. Batteries needs to be changed to work apu. Runs all day if u maintenance them.
A D ,, WILL ONLY USE , .04, .05 , GAL A HR , SAID IT RIGHT
Diesel all day getting a new go green next week
I have international with a electric apu it's worthless. You get 4 hours of half a** coo cooling before you have to idel to recharge and it takes up a lot of space.
You said a diesel apu will burn a gallon per hour. I thought it was a lot less than that
Yeah, that seems high. My Kenworth T680 burned 0.6 gallons per hour while idling, so the APU should be less than that.
I have have had a truck with battery. It's quite . An no noise.
Disel APUs, mostly, so noisy and stinky! I always try to park my truck for night as far as it possible.
I didn't know Jack Black was a trucker
So the truck starts for .5hrs? you can’t afford a half gallon for 8 hour of comfort. The truck starts itself when the batteries are low. Besides how much do you sleep? Besides You should be up after 8 hrs and ready to roll unless you’re lazy.
whats with the dudes hand wrining
Ony diesel ! Electric don't hold tem above 95 F and runs 6-8 hours only.! Regardless weight stations know the President George Bush sign weifer for APU unit 4 or 5 hundred pounds. So 80400 you ok. You can park for week and you ok.
Battery’s make no noise
What does immigration policies have anything to do with trucking?
Hello apu do not park close by my truck they are so noisy I can not sleep so noisy stay way i always go restless
I dont need to see the Ronin plug every single video
you only need to idle 2- 3 hours to charge a electric apu. id prefer electric they are much cheaper all around
Dude there is no real comparison. The electric apu is worthless. Especially if you are running a TVOne, microwave and other items. The electric will cost you in the long run. One battery is $400 plus and still you have to idle your truck just to charge your apu batteries. Just go for the gas apu and be done with it.
So much wrong information in one video. Wow!
Today in 2023, the epu has changed considerably. It is now mounted outside just like an APU is.
Battery operated apu's do not work better.
This guy slaughtered this video.🤦He said that diesel apu cools the truck down and uses 1gal. per hr. It actually warms your coolant in winter not cool it and uses way less than 1gal per hr. Idling is what uses 1 gal per hr.
Electric apus suck and small diesel engines are cool and convenient.
I hate Battery Operated APU.
Fair enough! Why do you dislike the battery APU?
@@NorthAmerican-Trucking-News I’ve just had to many issues with them, maybe it was the company I worked for who just bought and used cheap batteries for the APU’s. Ever since then I just stay away from them.
Diesel Apu all the freaking way
Yep no more gas APU according the Biden law.
Also- don’t deliver to Californikstan- problem solved!! Besides, those assholes will make your diesel semi illegal in the future!
The US is crushed..
The economy has fallen..
And trucking in the US is dead..
Officially..
What or where did get that info from. Trucking market is strong in the Midwest 2021. Need 250k drivers. Driver's are retireing by the ten fold. Pay is going up.
@@hansenhansen8349
You will see..
@@justanobody957 see? You said it's dead. My eyes show me it is not
@@Psylent
Ok..
I hope the best for you..
@@justanobody957 unless you are from California
Electric trucks will be halted once Toyota gets a handle on the market! Toyota is now coming out with a hydrogen engine for cars and I'm sure it will move over to the trucks it's a way better situation and will blow away the Electric market. I like the hydrogen option because we can still have the stacks up the sides of our sleeper cabs. I'm a hood driver and I'm staying a hood driver. If I had to drive a plastic truck again I would quit this business in a heartbeat!