july2023 - 24

SPOTLIGHT ON AUXILIARY POWER UNITS
and hotel power for other amenities
to stream into the cab.
" Driver retention is such a hot
topic, so that's another big reason
why a lot of fleets are choosing to go
with the APU as well, " offered Kyle
Westermann, Thermo King product
service manager for TriPac, the
company's APU solution.
There's a lot to like about APUs,
but they also require some tender
loving care.
" Just like any other mechanical
system, that maintenance-saving
APU itself needs some care and
service to keep it performing reliably
for the long haul, " said Ryan
Rubly, Carrier Transicold's product
manager for alternative power.
Like diesel engines, diesel APUs
systems.
have
aftertreatment
Electric APUs don't, but lithium-ion
batteries should be managed appropriately.
Recent innovations from
manufacturers have addressed
these issues and more.
Carrier Transicold
Diesel APU
maintenance
The first thing to remember is that
APU innovations
take heat off fleets
Auxiliary power
units save on
fuel and reduce
engine wear, but
do require some
maintenance.
Recent innovations
have made that
less of a hassle
for fleets.
By John Hitch
T
24 Fleet Maintenance | July 2023
emperatures aren't the only things that soar in
the summer. Fuel prices also rise as demand goes
up. Both are good reasons for over-the-road fleets
to equip their sleeper cabs with auxiliary power
units (APUs).
These optional units power the truck while the
engine is off, eliminating the need to idle to keep
the cab's climate comfortable while the driver
takes an hours of service break. The APU can
either directly draw from the diesel tank or run
off stored battery power. The benefits include
lower fuel costs, less engine wear and tear, and
reduced emissions.
The alternative, idling, is a costly proposition.
" At current prices of $4 per gallon, a 10-hour
rest period comes out to $32, " noted Sean
O'Connor, division manager for Go Power Fleet.
Go Power! provides solar solutions for APUs to
improve engine-off energy generation. " However,
the cost of idling is more than just the cost of
fuel. One hour of idling is estimated to cause
roughly 175 miles of engine wear. The related
maintenance costs quickly jump into the tens
of thousands of dollars. "
That's not all. OTR trucks in the shop for that
extra maintenance keep their drivers from working.
APUs take the heat off while allowing cool air
diesel APUs do have regular PMs just like any
mechanical system.
" At a service interval of 1,000 hours, Carrier
Transicold recommends checking coolant and
oil levels, inspecting belts, hoses, and air filters
among other visual assessments of its diesel
APU system components, " Rubly said. " At 2,000
hours, which might equate to a year's service in
many instances, the engine oil and oil filter, air
filter, and fuel filter should be changed along
with the cabin air filter. Other system inspections
are recommended, such as the air conditioning
system and heater. "
He also noted that because of where the APU
is mounted (usually on the passenger side on
the back of the tractor), grime, dirt, and salt can
build up, so annual cleaning of the radiator and
» The Thermo King 3rd-generation TriPac APU
features a passive aftertreatment system and
optional telematics, a first for the technology.
Thermo King
july2023

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