Got the Detroit tuned today by Diesel Dr. in Effingham, IL
- Thread starter Mike
- Start date
mndriver
curmudgeon extraordinare
This was a service issue. Nothing to do with piping. Thing wasn't running correctly.
I likely will never plumb the APU exaust into the stack, and I don't idle the truck, so a weed burner isn't an issue in that regard.
Next truck will definitely have a weed burner, but also may have an electric APU if the technology looks good enough at that point. It's getting close.
r3gulator3
IMA KEEP IT REDNECK
Iowa 80 in Little Rock has them in bulk. So does the one in Walcott. I did call four states before I bought the set in Little Rock and they do have them as well. Just an FYI
r3gulator3
IMA KEEP IT REDNECK
Electric APU like that park smart piece of shit Freightliner used to try to pass off as a good idea?
No, that was junk. As with anything, though, technology is always improving.
Steelersjunkie
Pimpin' ain't easy
I'm with you on that. I have an APU that has needed repairs twice since I got this truck, both within the first 6 months. It's down again and has been for the last year. Far as I'm concerned, that thing can rot. When I'm ready for bed I'll blast my heat or A/C til shuteye, turn off the truck, then go to sleep. Good enough. APUs are annoying smelly pieces of crap. Was nice when it worked I guess. Don't miss it at all.
Mine has had a couple alternators and a fuel pump. Other than that, worked well for 4 years now. Definitely has saved me lots of money on fuel and wear/tear on the big motor.
Steelersjunkie
Pimpin' ain't easy
I hear what you're sayin'. But... I do my best to baby my motor. I'd rather run it than a junk unit that has so far cost me $1k and still doesn't run. I treat my motor like I treat my wife. Therefore the motor is happy, because she gets all the love I have to give. I treat my APU like a mistress. You worked at some point, now you don't, you were never worth keeping around.
Steelersjunkie
Pimpin' ain't easy
Bowing out of this conversation I guess.
Well, it wasn't really about APU's anyway, LOL
Steelersjunkie
Pimpin' ain't easy
I tuned in because I've heard some good things about the Diesel Dr. Wasn't sure if it was something I wanted to mess with, but I haven't seen anything negative yet.
Nothing but good things to say about it so far. fuel economy got better, and power is definitely improved.
mndriver
curmudgeon extraordinare
Because I get a kick out of how much people knock on apu's being a pile of junk and spend little time maintaining them like the big engine. Yet the daily demand is just as great.
@Mike and I talk a lot about different things he's doing. My new truck, I'm seriously considering installing a stand alone tank just for the apu because of the impact it can have in the numbers for the the big engine.
This Volvo just posted 8.0 mpg on paper from Laurel MT to Duluth MN to York Ne.
Biggest challenge I'm struggling with right now is getting used to a 2300 mile range vs an 1100 mile range. The price of a shower now is insignificant compared to picking the right place to fuel. $12-15 is nothing when a proper fuel up can net you $120-160 in fuel savings on one fill-up.
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mndriver
curmudgeon extraordinare
I am not going to deny you're seeing improvement. Factory tuned are on the conservative side. Designed not just for emissions, but to also protect the engine from "company drivers". You can see it in your operating habits as an owner vs a call many driver. You tend to make subtle changes in driving habits. A company guy will "set the cruise and go". One of the worst habits when driving for economy. You've shown me that @Mike.
@Ranger_375 is driving his truck like he stole it. Intentionally. His first 30 day average in the mountains, with a stepdeck and running 70-75 is 7.00 mpg. On paper.
I started out horrid at 5.8 mpg. I unplugged my fuel vent filters from the tanks and my mileage jumped to 7.0 mpg. Last fill up was 8.0 mpg. And that includes 600 miles of running 75-80 to push out a 710 mile day bobtail on Monday.
It's as much weather and drivers habits. Two biggest factors against fuel economy.
Electric Chicken
Well-Known Member
Schneider is a big ass company with a lot of metrics to look at and "set the cruise & go" is their recommendation.
In my personal vehicles, "set the cruise and go" nets the best returns short of pissing everyone off by hypermiling.
So what's your expert advice that's superior?
mndriver
curmudgeon extraordinare
Don't use your cruise in the hills.
Electric Chicken
Well-Known Member
Sure that makes no sense in a manual. But in these auto shifts it's going to downshift automatically to stay in the power band.
Even Schneider says leave the cruise on and let it do its thing.
Again, they're looking a lot more data than you are.
Schneider knows they do better on cruise than a driver who doesn't care about mileage driving manually. But someone who cares can do better. Detroit's IPM with terrain maps is getting closer, but a standard cruise wastes lots of fuel being reactive. A good driver can save a lot of fuel by using terrain to their advantage, anticipating power needs rather than pouring on the fuel in response to a speed change.
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