July 2008

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Wisconsin APU grant program applications due by August 8th.

30 July 2008 in APU | No comments

The program to reimburse Wisconsin carriers 50 percent of the cost of an idling reduction unit is approaching it’s deadline for applications.  The Department of Commerce began accepting applications on July 1st and will close the acceptance period on August 1st.  Of the $2 million dollars set aside for the program, $500,000 will be reserved for small trucking companies.

The program was created by the Governor’s budget bill, 2005 Wisconsin Act 25. Under the program, Commerce provides grants to freight motor carriers (common, contract and private motor carriers) headquartered in Wisconsin to purchase and install idling reduction units for newer truck tractors. Idling reduction units provide an alternative source of power used to heat, cool, or provide electricity to the cab or other parts of a truck in lieu of operating the truck’s main drive engine to power these services. The use of idling reduction units on heavy-duty diesel trucks saves fuel and lowers air pollution emissions. The program will award grants through June 2011.

You can check out the program at the Wisconsin idling-reduction grant site.

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Thermo King Launches Extreme Arctic Kit for TriPac System

28 July 2008 in APU, Thermo King Tripac | No comments

(Minneapolis – March 27, 2008) – Thermo King is pleased to announce the launch of the Extreme Arctic Kit for their TriPac Hybrid Auxiliary Idle Reduction and Temperature Management System. Lower operating costs and longer engine life are two of the driving factors behind the development of Thermo King’s Extreme Arctic Kit for the industry’s leading anti-idle solution, the TriPac system. Numerous studies have shown that the majority of mechanical engine wear (up to 90 percent) occurs during engine start-up. Cold weather startup is potentially even more damaging as oil pressure will vary widely during the first several minutes of a cold-engine start.

Thermo King’s Extreme Arctic Kit includes both a coolant and oil heater, which ensures that not only are cold weather starting problems a thing of the past, but that engine wear is no different than during warm weather starts.

When the TriPac system senses a coolant temperature below 30° F, the system automatically starts the TriPac engine and engages the coolant and oil heaters. The TriPac engine then circulates the coolant between the engine block and the TriPac, continuously monitoring the coolant temperature until it reaches 60° F. With the Extreme Arctic Kit, the TriPac system not only keeps the driver comfortable in the coldest of environments, it now makes sure the tractor starts easily every time with minimal wear and tear. The Extreme Arctic Kit is available now at Thermo King dealers nationwide.

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Thermo King’s TriPac DPF Gains CARB Approval

28 July 2008 in APU, Thermo King Tripac | No comments

(Minneapolis – June 10, 2008) – Thermo King’s diesel particulate filter (DPF) for its TriPac Hybrid Auxiliary Idle Reduction and Temperature Management System has been approved for use by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). The DPF is designed to meet TriPac APU emissions requirements required by CARB for APUs running in California that are attached to class 8 tractors with 2007 or newer engines. In addition to being designed to meet CARB regulations, the TriPac DPF offers several other features important to drivers and owners. Regeneration, the process of burning off particulate matter trapped in the filter element, takes place during normal driving hours with no disruption to the driver during rest periods. Plus, extended APU runtime between regenerations assures minimal driver involvement.

TriPac APU customers can be assured that the TriPac DPF does not reduce fuel economy and will place no extra strain on the APU, nor will it alter scheduled maintenance intervals. As another environmental benefit, the filter also reduces engine noise, making the already-quiet TriPac system even quieter.

Because Thermo King is committed to delivering excellent performance to its customers, the company has gone beyond the testing required by CARB and performed additional testing to ensure that the DPF meets the high standards demanded of all Thermo King products.

Other benefits include flexibility for all customers, as the DPF has nine different mounting options, based on vehicle considerations, enabling easy installation on most modern tractors despite the trend of less available frame rail space. The DPF is also designed for minimal maintenance, which reduces costs and downtime.

“Beyond meeting the emission requirements as set by CARB, we were very conscious of our customers’ requests not to add additional maintenance to their fleets or require the stocking of different types of lubricants than what they already use in their equipment,” says Tom Kampf, APU product manager, Thermo King.

The TriPac DPF is the example of Thermo King’s commitment to developing the latest in environmentally-friendly Green technologies.

The DPF is now available as an aftermarket or original equipment option to support both current and new customers and is backed by the Thermo King Dealer Network, with more than 200 locations nationwide.

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Fuel cell auxiliary power unit from Delphi/Peterbilt a success.

27 July 2008 in Newest APU Tech | No comments

DENTON, Texas — Delphi Corporation (PINKSHEETS: DPHIQ) and Peterbilt Motors Company successfully demonstrated a Delphi solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) auxiliary power unit (APU) powering a Peterbilt Model 386 truck’s “hotel” loads. During recent testing at Peterbilt’s Texas headquarters, the Delphi SOFC provided power for the Model 386’s electrical system and air conditioning and maintained the truck’s batteries — all while the Model 386’s diesel engine was turned off.

Delphi Fuel Cell

Delphi Fuel Cell

Delphi’s SOFC converts chemical energy in conventional fuels directly into useful electrical power without combustion. A SOFC operates quietly and at a higher efficiency level than traditional internal combustion engines. By limiting idling time and running a SOFC instead of the main engine, emissions are reduced, noise is nearly eliminated, and operators realize significant fuel savings.

The new Delphi technology will have the capability of using a variety of fuels, including natural gas, diesel, bio-diesel, propane, gasoline, coal-derived fuel and military logistics fuel. In addition to its fuel flexibility, the SOFC will be compact in size.

The Peterbilt/Delphi test replicated a typical trucker’s day to evaluate the real-world usefulness and capacity of the SOFC:

The internals of the Delphi Fuel Cell

The internals of the Delphi Fuel Cell

  • To begin, the SOFC APU was brought to operating temperature with the truck’s main engine running. This simulated starting the SOFC APU during normal, on-road driving conditions.
  • Once the SOFC APU was at temperature and available to provide power, the Model 386’s main engine was turned off, simulating the beginning of a rest period.
  • During the rest period, the SOFC APU powered the 386’s electrical loads, including the electric air-conditioner, radio, citizens band radio, and lights. It also charged the truck’s battery.
  • After 10 hours (representing running overnight) the Model 386’s main engine was restarted to simulate the driver beginning his drive for the next day.

Throughout the test, the SOFC APU provided an average of 800 watts of electricity to the Peterbilt Model 386.

“The Delphi SOFC passed this test, standing up to the demands of a typical truck-driver’s day,” said Mary Gustanski, Delphi Powertrain Systems director of Engineering. “We are encouraged by the performance of the demonstration, especially given the 95-degree-F Texas heat. Additionally, we thank everyone at Peterbilt for participating in this evaluation and for echoing our enthusiasm for the further development of eco-friendly solutions.”

“The SOFC system provides a technologically-advanced solution to meet anti-idle requirements while surpassing expectations for reduced emissions, noise and fuel consumption,” said Landon Sproull, Peterbilt Chief Engineer. “This system has the potential to revolutionize future APUs by setting new benchmarks for performance and ease of operation with no adverse effects on the environment.”

The Peterbilt Model 386 was chosen as the test bed for the SOFC due to its aerodynamic and fuel-efficient performance. It merges conventional Peterbilt styling with leading aerodynamic design and has been recognized as fuel efficient and environmentally friendly by the EPA’s SmartWay program.

Delphi Fuel Cell PDF

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Navistar offers new Fleetrite APU

26 July 2008 in APU, Fleetrite APU, Newest APU Tech | No comments

Truck owners and fleets can reduce fuel usage, lower emissions and comply with new anti-idling laws with the new Fleetrite® Auxiliary Power Unit (APU), a retrofit product introduced from Navistar.

“A Class 8 truck burns a little more than a gallon of diesel fuel per hour idling, and a long-haul sleeper idles around 2,400 hours per year,” said Ron Sandefur, vice president, aftermarket purchasing and products, Navistar Parts Group. “Figure in the high price of diesel fuel and the result is a lot of wasted money.

“With a Fleetrite APU, truck owners can reduce fuel usage to only 0.3 gallons of fuel per hour while idling, or up to 80 percent less than normal idle, saving fleets and owner-operators up to $8,500 a year and 1,920 gallons of fuel annually per truck,” Sandefur said.

The Fleetrite APU is an auxiliary power unit designed as an aftermarket retrofit for all makes and models of Class 8 trucks. Powered by a 14-horsepower, 2-cylinder Caterpillar diesel engine, the unit takes the place of the engine under the hood to efficiently provide driver necessities including heat, air conditioning and power for electronics while the truck is idle.

“Even with the high price of diesel fuel, drivers don’t have to sacrifice being comfortable while resting for the night or waiting for their trailers to get loaded or unloaded,” said Jan Penrow, product manager, aftermarket products, Navistar Parts Group. “The Fleetrite APU delivers air conditioning, heat and power quickly and most importantly, without using a lot of fuel.”

A simple and non-intrusive design, the Fleetrite APU only uses the truck’s battery power and fuel tank to start and power its electronic system and run the engine.

The HVAC system of the Fleetrite APU delivers the most cooling and heating capacity on the market, ensuring drivers will be comfortable in any temperature conditions. A 60-Amp DC alternator charges the truck’s battery while a 6-kW generator powers appliances and the engine-block heater. Mounted in the cabin of the truck, the control panel features a large LCD screen and easy-to-use single-touch menu functions.

Two CARB-compliant Fleetrite APU models are available depending on the truck’s manufacture date. For 2007 or newer trucks, an APU model is available that requires a diesel particulate filter (DPF) for CARB compliance.

International dealers also offer other anti-idling solutions as aftermarket retrofits including NITE battery powered systems, Espar cab heaters, Webasto cab heaters and Webasto C5 truck heating and cooling units, and Autotherm® energy-recovery units for day-cab trucks.

Navistar also will offer a factory-installed APU called MaxxPower as an option on new International Class 8 trucks beginning later this year.

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Idlealt articles.

22 July 2008 in Uncategorized | No comments

In the column to the left are the articles.  In those articles I plan to write about each individual unit.  I will try to be as comprehensive as I can possibly be and really dig into the specs of each idlealt.

I will post as much info as I possibly can and I will be as accurate with it as I can be.  I use the manufacturers web sites, pdf documentation, calls to them, and some info from dealers.  This doesn’t always work out and sometimes things will be just plain wrong.  If this happens, feel free to post a comment on that page and I will investigate.

Also, if you go to a static page and no article has been written about it, feel free to post a comment anyway if you have any particular questions about a unit.

So here it is.

22 July 2008 in Uncategorized | 2 comments

Hello,

My name is Chris and I am the founder of idlealt.net.

I am building this site because, like many of you, I hate to see how much more I am spending on fuel this year than in years past. On top of this, there is really no good information source for APUs and idling alternatives.   Since I do a lot of sitting between loads, i probably listen to my Rigmaster run more than I listen to my XM.

Hopefully the time I spend on this blog will help someone make an informed descision.  $10,000 Is a lot of cash to flush down the toilet.