Interesting APU, Interesting PRICE

[jonboy]

Does anyone know anything about this thing?

http://lifeforceapu.com/index.html

[mike3fan]

The only thing that I don't like is that it uses 1 of those fork lift type tanks every 24 hours of use? That seems like a big hassle carrying/trading out all the time,that is what the price of all the APU's should be,I can't figure out why it cost 7k+ for these units?

[PackRatTDI]

The only thing that I don't like is that it uses 1 of those fork lift type tanks every 24 hours of use? That seems like a big hassle carrying/trading out all the time,that is what the price of all the APU's should be,I can't figure out why it cost 7k+ for these units?

Much of that is the extra costs involved because many of the standard APU units integrate into the engine's cooling system and the factory HVAC unit in the sleeper. That requires the evacuation of the AC system refrigerant, disconnecting OEM refrigerant and heating lines to the sleeper and recharging the truck AC system and connecting the refrigerant and coolant lines from the APU to the sleeper HVAC unit. As well as tapping into the fuel system. That's a bit more work than what would be involved in this APU unit and consequently the price is reduced.

This unit appears to use a separate electric underbunk AC/heat unit, like the units sold by Dometic. You could also use a roof mounted RV unit.

It would be a compromise VS a traditional APU but if you didn't mind the extra time swapping tanks out, which in my experience with the forklift at work takes about a minute, it would be a good choice for someone on a budget.

[jonboy]

The only thing that I don't like is that it uses 1 of those fork lift type tanks every 24 hours of use? That seems like a big hassle carrying/trading out all the time,that is what the price of all the APU's should be,I can't figure out why it cost 7k+ for these units?

They advertise the unit sells for $3000, and can be installed in 3 hours.

As far as the tanks, that's quick, and one tank would last three days, so if you carried a couple of extra tanks, you'd be set.

You really wouldn't need to exchange the tanks, just go by a propane place and get them filled. The other alternative would be a larger permanent tank like an rv has.

The cost to operate (fuel) should be considerable less.

The 10,000 btu air conditioning seemed a little low???

jonboy

[PackRatTDI]

The only thing that I don't like is that it uses 1 of those fork lift type tanks every 24 hours of use? That seems like a big hassle carrying/trading out all the time,that is what the price of all the APU's should be,I can't figure out why it cost 7k+ for these units?

They advertise the unit sells for $3000, and can be installed in 3 hours.

As far as the tanks, that's quick, and one tank would last three days, so if you carried a couple of extra tanks, you'd be set.

You really wouldn't need to exchange the tanks, just go by a propane place and get them filled. The other alternative would be a larger permanent tank like an rv has.

The cost to operate (fuel) should be considerable less.

The 10,000 btu air conditioning seemed a little low???

jonboy

10,000 BTU's should be sufficient for a truck sleeper. RV air conditioners usually run between 10,000 and 15,000 BTU's and they usually cool a considerably larger area.

Small room window AC unita are usually rated around 10,000 BTU's as well.

[Maniac]

The cost to operate (fuel) should be considerable less.

Have you priced propane lately, here in the northeast its around $4.75 a gallon :shock:

[Heavy Duty]

Want to stop and get inspected at most under water tunnels? Gas bottles will only run out in the middle of the night, not when it would be convient.

Much of that is the extra costs involved because many of the standard APU units integrate into the engine's cooling system and the factory HVAC unit in the sleeper. That requires the evacuation of the AC system refrigerant, disconnecting OEM refrigerant and heating lines to the sleeper and recharging the truck AC system and connecting the refrigerant and coolant lines from the APU to the sleeper HVAC unit. As well as tapping into the fuel system. That's a bit more work than what would be involved in this APU unit and consequently the price is reduced.

Not true, most don't tie into truck A/C, rigmaster and TK use a auto type compressor with their own sealed syatem. Proheat and others use a electric powered A/C system. Proheat does use the truck water for cooling.

They cost alot because good small diesels are expensive, puls a lot built in for warranty work on the junk intergated controller system most use.

[PackRatTDI]

Want to stop and get inspected at most under water tunnels? Gas bottles will only run out in the middle of the night, not when it would be convient.

Much of that is the extra costs involved because many of the standard APU units integrate into the engine's cooling system and the factory HVAC unit in the sleeper. That requires the evacuation of the AC system refrigerant, disconnecting OEM refrigerant and heating lines to the sleeper and recharging the truck AC system and connecting the refrigerant and coolant lines from the APU to the sleeper HVAC unit. As well as tapping into the fuel system. That's a bit more work than what would be involved in this APU unit and consequently the price is reduced.

Not true, most don't tie into truck A/C, rigmaster and TK use a auto type compressor with their own sealed syatem. Proheat and others use a electric powered A/C system. Proheat does use the truck water for cooling.

I didn't say "most", I said "many".