ironpony
Professional Pot-Stirrer
That warranty doesn't cover revenue lost while in the shop does it? IMO, you're just asking for trouble idling one of these trucks.
Questioning the value of an APU.
- Thread starter Mike
- Start date
@mndriver
Better than last time you seen it? New top was $127.00. Plus some hardware, and also got the cooling fan riveted back in securely because a couple of them popped loose.
Cleaned out my bunk heater while he was there as well, got a ton of carbon out of it.
Also introduced me to a filter I didn’t know existed. A screen filter on the APU that was plugged up and totally black. Took it out and cleaned it up real well. Oil change places don’t touch it, obviously.
I’m broke, but my APU looks good again
Better than last time you seen it? New top was $127.00. Plus some hardware, and also got the cooling fan riveted back in securely because a couple of them popped loose.
Cleaned out my bunk heater while he was there as well, got a ton of carbon out of it.
Also introduced me to a filter I didn’t know existed. A screen filter on the APU that was plugged up and totally black. Took it out and cleaned it up real well. Oil change places don’t touch it, obviously.
I’m broke, but my APU looks good again
If I didn’t get an APU, I would still have a bunk heater and opti-idle. Leaning that direction if I end up with a new truck anytime soon. Not too much of the year that I need the A/C.
mndriver
curmudgeon extraordinare
That little black box needs as much attention, if not a little more, than the big engine.
But it's also a ton cheaper than the issues the emissions will cost you from idling.
Anything with EPA10 or newer emissions, this is a must on as far as I'm concerned.
I wouldn’t be concerned about the long-term Issues because I wouldn’t be keeping it past warranty. Five years and I would get another truck.
Ranger_375
Well-Known Member
No reason to have the newest APU. The only major differences between my Gen 1 Tripac and an Evolution is that the Evo has a different fuel pump and more electronics to fail. And that's per the long time TK techs that got my APU fixed here in Columbia last night.
Of course, I am concerned that my APU wasn't cooperating because it was over 80 yesterday. Not getting over 60 this weekend. At least it cycles now that the arctic switch is replaced.
Of course, I am concerned that my APU wasn't cooperating because it was over 80 yesterday. Not getting over 60 this weekend. At least it cycles now that the arctic switch is replaced.
r3gulator3
IMA KEEP IT REDNECK
TMC will tell you, you will spend less in repairs than the cost of an APU and maintaining the APU. I honestly don’t know.
mndriver
curmudgeon extraordinare
Used.
Under 5000 hours was $7500 installed with bunk heater.
5000-10,000 - $6500.
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We specialize in providing new, used & refurbished thermo king auxillary power units for semi trucks, available at APU Center in Springfield, MO.
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mndriver
curmudgeon extraordinare
It would be worth it IMHO, to have u it removed and installed on the new truck.
The company I started with in 2011 would cross mount their Apu every 3 years when they traded in their lease trucks.
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I can run through the numbers and other things to show how having an apu is well worth the expense. Here is 1, 40k to replace your truck engine...
Happy to hear your numbers, but you have to go back and see what I said about this.
If I skip the APU install on a new truck, it will be with a full extended warranty that carries me to 600k, at which I would be trading the truck again. I have no plan to try and keep it to 1 million miles.
That said, why would idling cause me to have to replace an engine? Sure, it's not good on the emissions (particularly the DPF), but I don't see it hurting the engine itself at all.
If you don't think running your engine puts wear and tear on it, then I don't know what to say. But yes an Apu saves money in the long run, if I'm going to be otr away from my family, I'm going to be comfortable. Can't idle in some states too, saw a guy w talking down apus in NJ at the truck stop, came out to an idling ticket on his truck.
r3gulator3
IMA KEEP IT REDNECK
My Company and show you cost plus maintenance Vs engine wear and tear and based on that...not worth it. But you do you big guy. You’re apparently smarter than anyone in the universe so.....
r3gulator3
IMA KEEP IT REDNECK
Leave it to an engineer. Yes that figure is in there.
Explain that.
Here is what I go by. I have paid attention to multiple people who have compared their oil samples with and without idling, only to see virtually no change in wear metals.
I don't see where it is hurting anything beyond the emissions due to shortened DPF life.
mndriver
curmudgeon extraordinare
In a stationary motor. Say a generator.
One hour of run time is considered equal to 50 miles driver.
That's how you determine the time to do a Serv ce on a stationary motor.
So if you look at an apu, an hour of run time on the apu equates to about 50 miles wear.
When my engine failed in 2017, it was due to a coolant seal on the sleeve. When he pulled the sleeves, when he went to measure the sleeve for wear, they actually were reusable. But for warranty reason, they get replaced.
If you actually measure a piston sleeve, there's a definite slope to the wear. In an apu truck, that slope is considerably less compared to a truck that's idled. You'd see it specifically in the size of the piston ridge.
But getting people to acknowledge that is near impossible.
One hour of run time is considered equal to 50 miles driver.
That's how you determine the time to do a Serv ce on a stationary motor.
So if you look at an apu, an hour of run time on the apu equates to about 50 miles wear.
When my engine failed in 2017, it was due to a coolant seal on the sleeve. When he pulled the sleeves, when he went to measure the sleeve for wear, they actually were reusable. But for warranty reason, they get replaced.
If you actually measure a piston sleeve, there's a definite slope to the wear. In an apu truck, that slope is considerably less compared to a truck that's idled. You'd see it specifically in the size of the piston ridge.
But getting people to acknowledge that is near impossible.
I get what you are saying, but...
It's not uncommon for a series 60 to go the miles that yours went, without an APU. I acknowledge you may have seen less wear on parts, thought that would take a ton of testing and comparison to prove out.
There is no denying that an APU is a great thing for the main engine and the longevity. How much is debatable, though. One significant wear situation on any engine is startup. How much wear savings is lost on a daily basis due to the additional startup and warmup cycle?
And on new engines, the wear from idling on an engine is supposed to be even less than on our older "dirty" engines.
To me, the significant factor in an APU is the fuel savings. Why? Because when you base it on the life of the engine, you have to factor in the cost of the APU which is basically the cost of an inframe.
So, when you factor in fuel savings from something like opti idle, where does the APU fit in when it comes to the life of a truck?
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